The specialty of internal medicine is one of the broadest and most comprehensive within veterinary medicine. Internal medicine specialists are trained to evaluate all aspects of a patient’s history and clinical findings to allow optimal diagnostic evaluation and therapeutic recommendations based on the whole clinical picture. When traditional or baseline diagnostic testing fail to diagnose a sick patient, or if a pet is simply not responding to appropriate therapy, we are available to provide the latest technology in the diagnosis and management of your pet’s medical concerns.
Our internal medicine department sees patients on a referral basis and strives to manage your pet’s health concerns in collaboration with your family veterinarian. In addition, within the hospital we employ a team approach between specialties to ensure that your pet receives the best care possible.
These are generally conditions that are unusual, difficult to manage or have associated complications that require more advanced diagnostic testing, monitoring and/or therapies. These conditions may include but are not limited to:
Endocrinology
Evaluation and treatment of hormonal conditions including diabetes mellitus, Cushing’s disease, thyroid-related disorders, and electrolyte disorders.
Gastroenterology
Evaluation and treatment of conditions of the gastrointestinal tract including stomach, small intestines, large intestines, liver, and pancreas.
Cardiovascular and Respiratory Disease
Evaluation and treatment of respiratory disease (including upper airway disease and lower airway or lung diseases such as asthma or pneumonia), heart disease, and systemic hypertension.
Kidney disease and urinary tract disorder
Evaluation and treatment of kidney failure, kidney disease, proteinuria and lower urinary tract disease.
Hematology
Evaluation and treatment of blood and bone marrow-related disease (anemia and other disorders of both red and white blood cells).
Infectious Diseases
Evaluation and treatment of a variety of tick-borne, bacterial, fungal and other infectious diseases.
Our Internal Medicine Team
Grant Ramsey
DVM, Practice Limited to Internal Medicine, Medical Director
Chris Jones
DVM, DACVIM
Grant Ramsey
DVM, Practice Limited to Internal Medicine, Medical Director
Chris Jones
DVM, DACVIM
Diagnostic services available:
Diagnostic ultrasound (chest and abdomen)
Ultrasound guided fine needle aspirates and biopsies
Fluid collection from body cavities (abdominocentesis, thoracocentesis and pericardiocentesis)
Minimally invasive evaluation of the gastrointestinal, urinary and respiratory systems (gastroduodenoscopy, colonoscopy, urethroscopy, cystoscopy, bronchoscopy, and rhinoscopy)
Bone marrow sampling
Advanced imaging (CT and MRI)
Radiographic contrast studies (swallowing studies, urinary investigation)
Fluoroscopic evaluation of the trachea
FAQs
What do I need to do to prepare for my initial exam appointment?
We ask that you do not feed your pet the day of their appointment in case a test or procedure is recommended. Please pull up food and water the night before the schedule appointment, please continue any medications as instructed unless told otherwise.
What should I bring with me to my appointment?
We will contact your primary veterinarian and ask for all pertinent information and any imaging that has already been performed. Your veterinarian may ask that you bring a disc or hard copy of the radiographs, which will be returned to you or your family veterinarian after all the information is interpreted by our doctors. There is a possibility that previously performed testing may need to be repeated.
What health problems does a veterinary Internal Medicine doctor treat?
A few problems that an internist will see and treat are:
Diabetes Mellitus
Endocrine Related Disorders
Gastrointestinal Diseases
Immune Related Disorders
Infectious Diseases
Kidney Dysfunction
Liver Dysfunction
How will I know the cost for testing or treatment needed?
The attending doctor will review all history provided by the referring veterinarian and perform a complete physical exam during the appointment. Once the doctor has a thorough assessment of what is recommended, his/her assistant will provide you with a detailed estimate to review. The estimate will include the exam, testing, treatment, and hospitalization costs if needed.
Can I stay and wait with my pet while testing is being done?
You are welcome to stay in the building to wait for your pet’s testing to be completed and to meet with the doctor after they have reviewed the results. Unfortunately, you cannot be present during the testing, but we can provide you with an estimated wait time in case you would like to leave and come back later.
Does my pet have to be sedated for diagnostic testing such as radiographs, ultrasound, or lab work?
Typically, we do not have to sedate patients in order to perform non-invasive diagnostic procedures. You will be contacted in the rare event that your pet does require sedation.
Can I speak to the doctor on the phone before my appointment?
Due to the complexity of most referral cases, it is not possible to obtain a diagnosis over the phone. Until we have received and reviewed all medical history and performed a thorough physical exam, we will not be able to offer medical recommendations for your pet.
What can I expect if my pet needs to be hospitalized?
If your pet is determined to need hospitalization to maximize their recovery from their illness, our doctors will contact you with the plan during hospitalization (medications, IV fluids, other diagnostics, etc.) and an estimate for the cost of hospitalization. Your pet will be monitored and cared for by a technical support staff with a staff veterinarian working with one of our specialists during the overnights and weekends to ensure they receive the same top quality care as they would during the weekdays.
