What Is Veterinary Internal Medicine?

Veterinary internal medicine is a specialization of animal medicine that focuses on preventing, diagnosing and treating non-human diseases that affect internal organs. It is distinct from other areas of veterinary medicine in that it involves diseases that cannot be differentiated or which involve more than one system. As a specialization, veterinary internal medicine requires more intensive training compared to that for non-specialized veterinarians. Those who practice in this area are called internists, not to be confused with interns, who are lower-level medical workers.

When a person specializes in veterinary internal medicine, they concentrate on the endocrine, urogenital, immune, lymphatic, respiratory, gastrointestinal and renal systems. This means that a veterinary internist has to be familiar with a large number of different organs and how they all interconnect. It also means that the internist must understand a wider array of diseases, as more organs are under the professional's scope.

Understanding the different systems involved in veterinary internal medicine, internists can treat everything from respiratory disorders to infectious diseases and kidney problems. The internist may work with structures such as the lungs, stomach, oral cavity and the intestines. What's more, internists may see a broad spectrum of animals. Subsequently, the work of a veterinary internist is highly varied from day to day.

Due to the advanced knowledge necessary to work in veterinary internal medicine, internists require extensive education. Similar to any other veterinarian, internists have to attend veterinary school. To do this in the United States, individuals must complete an undergraduate degree in animal or a closely-related science and take and pass the Veterinary College Admissions Test (VCAT) and Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Upon admission, four years of coursework is required. After veterinary school, the internist specializes through three to five years of residency training.

How long a veterinary internist trains depends on how specialized he wants to be. Similar to internists who focus on human diseases and conditions, internists in the veterinary field may concentrate in subspecialties such as hematology or blood disorders, cardiology, pulmonology or disorders of the lungs and endocrinology or hormone disorders. Other options include allergy and immunology, infectious disorders, musculoskeletal disorders and rheumatology, oncology or cancer and nephrology or diseases of the kidneys.

One of the key points about veterinary internal medicine is that internists do not conduct surgeries or other procedures that could be considered invasive. Instead, they are considered non-invasive professionals. They rely to a great degree on technology in their work, such as using an ultrasound or X-ray machine, so that they do not have to physically cut into an animal.

Veterinary internal medicine is a specialty within veterinary medicine that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of complex diseases affecting the internal organs of animals. This includes conditions of the heart, liver, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, and endocrine system. Veterinary internists use advanced diagnostic techniques and treatments to manage chronic illnesses and multisystem disorders.

Veterinary internists are equipped to handle a wide range of conditions such as diabetes, kidney failure, autoimmune diseases, gastrointestinal disorders, and respiratory conditions. They also specialize in managing infectious diseases, hormonal imbalances, and blood disorders. Their expertise is crucial for pets with illnesses that are difficult to diagnose or require intensive, ongoing management.

To become a veterinary internal medicine specialist, a veterinarian must complete additional training after veterinary school. This includes a one-year internship followed by a three-year residency program in internal medicine, according to the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. They must also pass rigorous examinations to become board-certified in this specialty.

Your pet should be referred to a veterinary internist if they have symptoms that are persistent, complex, or not responding to standard treatments. Chronic vomiting, unexplained weight loss, severe diarrhea, or coughing could be signs that your pet needs the expertise of an internist. Your primary care veterinarian will typically make this referral when specialized care is needed.

Veterinary internists use a variety of diagnostic tools to understand what's ailing a pet. These can include advanced imaging like ultrasound and MRI, endoscopy for gastrointestinal and respiratory issues, and specialized blood tests to evaluate organ function and detect hormonal imbalances. These tools help them to diagnose conditions that may not be apparent through routine examinations.

Treatments from a veterinary internist often involve more advanced and specialized care than what a general practitioner might provide. Internists have access to cutting-edge treatments and are skilled in managing complex, multi-faceted cases. They may use a combination of medications, dietary management, chemotherapy, or other therapies tailored to the specific needs of the patient.