When a pet develops a complex, chronic, or severe health condition that goes beyond routine veterinary care, they may need the expertise of a board-certified veterinary internal medicine specialist*. At Boundary Bay Veterinary Specialty Hospital (BBVSH), our internal medicine specialists play a crucial role in diagnosing and managing some of the most serious medical conditions affecting pets. 

Veterinary internists specialize in diagnosing and treating complex illnesses, including diseases affecting the kidneys, liver, gastrointestinal system, endocrine system, and immune system.

How Can an Internal Medicine Specialist Help My Pet? 

A board-certified veterinary internal medicine specialist is trained to: 

• Diagnose and treat complex and chronic diseases that may not respond to standard treatments. 

• Manage patients with multiple disorders that require specialized care. 

• Use specialized in-house diagnostic tools and procedures to pinpoint the cause of illness. 

• Provide long-term treatment plans for conditions that need ongoing medical management. 

At BBVSH, our internal medicine team works closely with other board-certified specialists in critical care, surgery,  cardiology, neurology, oncology to ensure your pet receives comprehensive and coordinated care. 

What Conditions Do Internal Medicine Specialists Treat? 

Veterinary internists manage a wide range of complex medical conditions, including: 

• Gastrointestinal Disorders – Chronic vomiting, diarrhea, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), pancreatitis. 

• Endocrine Diseases – Diabetes, Cushing’s disease, Addison’s disease, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism. 

• Kidney & Urinary Conditions – Chronic kidney disease, urinary incontinence, bladder infections. 

• Liver & Pancreatic Diseases – Hepatitis, liver failure, pancreatitis. 

• Immune System Disorders – Autoimmune diseases that affect blood, joints, or internal organs. 

• Respiratory Diseases – Chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, asthma. 

• Infectious Diseases – Complicated bacterial, viral, or fungal infections. 

Many of these conditions require ongoing medical management, and our specialists are skilled in creating long-term treatment plans to improve your pet’s quality of life. 

Specialized Diagnostic Tools for Complex Cases 

At BBVSH, our internal medicine specialists have access to in-house, advanced diagnostic technology to help pinpoint the cause of an illness. These tools include: 

• Ultrasound & Advanced Imaging – Allows for non-invasive evaluation of internal organs. 

• Endoscopy – A small camera is used to examine the gastrointestinal tract and collect biopsies. 

• C-Arm Fluoroscopy – A real-time moving X-ray to assess swallowing disorders, airway disease, and other conditions. 

• CT Scans – Used for detailed imaging of the chest, abdomen, and nasal passages 

• MRI Scans – A detailed evaluation of soft tissue structures that are not as easily evaluated on radiographs or CT. This is especially useful for evaluating muscles, tendons, and ligaments, as well as the eyes, brain, and spinal cord. 

• Specialized In-house Bloodwork & Laboratory Testing – Helps detect infections, metabolic diseases, and immune-related conditions. 

Our specialists are experienced in handling cases where a diagnosis is difficult to reach, and they work diligently to find answers for pets with unclear or complex symptoms.

Coordinated Specialty Care for Your Pet 

Many pets with chronic or serious illnesses require care from multiple veterinary specialists.  

For example, a pet with chronic kidney disease may also need cardiology care for high blood pressure, or a dog with immune-mediated disease may require collaboration with our critical care team during a severe flare-up. This team-based approach helps ensure that pets receive the most effective and comprehensive treatment possible. 

Supporting Pet Owners Through Difficult Diagnoses 

Caring for a pet with a chronic or serious illness can feel overwhelming. It is normal to feel frustrated, uncertain, or confused about the best course of action. Our internal medicine specialists at BBVSH are not only skilled in diagnosing and treating complex diseases, but they are also dedicated to helping pet owners understand their pet’s medical condition and care options. 

✔️ Clear communication – We explain medical conditions and treatment options in an easy-to-understand way

✔️ Guidance on long-term care – Helping pet owners manage chronic illnesses at home

✔️ Specialized support – Addressing concerns and answering questions throughout the treatment process 

We know that navigating your pet’s health challenges can be difficult, but our goal is to make the process as clear and manageable as possible. 

When Should My Pet See an Internal Medicine Specialist? 

If your pet has: 

• A chronic illness that is not improving with standard treatment 

• Symptoms that do not have a clear diagnosis despite multiple tests 

• A combination of medical issues requiring specialized care 

• A disease that requires advanced diagnostic testing 

Then it may be time to schedule an appointment with an internal medicine specialist. 

In some cases, when a diagnosis has already been made, an internist may confirm the diagnosis and treatment plan, providing additional insight and confidence in the recommended care. 

At Boundary Bay Veterinary Specialty Hospital, our internal medicine team is here to provide specialized care for pets with complex medical conditions. 

For more information or to schedule a consultation, visit our referrals page.

 

* What Does “Board-Certified” Mean? 

A board-certified veterinary internal medicine specialist, also known as an internist, is a veterinarian with advanced training in diagnosing and treating diseases of the body’s internal systems. 

To become board-certified, a veterinary internist must complete:

✔️ Undergraduate education and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree

✔️ A one-year internship followed by a three- to five-year residency specializing in internal medicine

✔️ Two rigorous examinations required by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) or the European College of  Veterinary Medicine (ECVIM) 

This extensive training ensures that board-certified internists have specialized expertise in managing complex and chronic illnesses. 

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About Boundary Bay Veterinary Specialty Hospital 

Boundary Bay Veterinary Specialty Hospital is a family owned, veterinary specialty and 24/7 emergency and critical care hospital in Surrey, BC, serving the Vancouver metro area and greater British Columbia. We have a sister hospital in Bellingham, Washington. 

As a certified VECCS Level I facility and a Level II VetCOT Trauma Centre, we are capable of handling even the most critical, life-threatening emergencies and trauma, with board-certified specialists on staff and on-call to handle any medical or surgical issue. 

Our board-certified specialists offer services in emergency and critical care, surgery, internal medicine, cardiology, neurology, oncology, dentistry, diagnostic imaging, and animal rehabilitation.