When a beloved family pet falls ill with symptoms that defy simple explanation - chronic vomiting, unexplained weight loss, or complex hormonal imbalances - it is a stressful time for any owner. You may visit your primary care veterinarian, run initial tests, and still face unanswered questions. It is often at this critical juncture that your family veterinarian refers you to us at Oklahoma Veterinary Specialists.
At OVS, our Board-Certified Small Animal Internal Medicine Specialists act as the "medical detectives" of the veterinary world. But what exactly does that title mean, and how does an Internist differ from a general practitioner? This guide dives deep into the rigorous training, advanced technology, and diagnostic expertise that our internal medicine department brings to the Tulsa veterinary community.
To understand the level of care your pet receives at Oklahoma Veterinary Specialists, it is essential to understand the educational gauntlet our specialists have survived. An Internal Medicine Veterinarian is not simply a vet with a special interest in diseases; they are Diplomates of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (DACVIM).
The journey begins with the standard eight years of higher education to achieve a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree. However, while a General Practitioner (GP) enters practice immediately, an OVS specialist continues their education for at least four more years.
This includes a one-year rotating internship in medicine and surgery, followed by a grueling three-year residency program. During this residency, the veterinarian manages complex caseloads, publishes peer-reviewed scientific research, and undergoes intense supervision by established mentors. Finally, they must pass a comprehensive, multi-day examination administered by the ACVIM. Only then is the "Diplomate" status bestowed. When you bring your pet to OVS, you are accessing a professional who has dedicated years to mastering the pathophysiology, pharmacology, and therapeutic protocols of the most difficult diseases in veterinary medicine.
Internal medicine is a holistic discipline. Unlike a surgeon who focuses on a procedure, or a dermatologist focused on the skin, the OVS Internal Medicine team must master the complex interplay between every organ system. We frequently treat cases involving:
Our team creates management plans for complex hormonal diseases that require precise monitoring. This includes Diabetes Mellitus (especially complicated cases involving ketoacidosis), Cushing’s Disease (Hyperadrenocorticism), Addison’s Disease (Hypoadrenocorticism), and thyroid disorders. We utilize advanced testing protocols, such as ACTH stimulation tests, to fine-tune medication dosages and restore your pet's quality of life.
Chronic vomiting, regurgitation, and diarrhea are among the most common reasons for referral to our Tulsa hospital. We differentiate between simple dietary issues and serious pathologies like Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), intestinal lymphoma, pancreatitis, or protein-losing enteropathy.
Kidney disease is prevalent in our aging pet population. Our specialists manage Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) by staging the disease based on IRIS guidelines, managing hypertension, and mitigating protein loss. We also handle complex urinary tract infections and bladder stones (urolithiasis) that may require minimally invasive removal.
In Oklahoma, our pets are exposed to specific environmental risks. Our internists are experts in diagnosing respiratory distress caused by conditions ranging from canine chronic bronchitis to fungal infections common in our region, such as Histoplasmosis or Blastomycosis. We also manage tick-borne diseases (Ehrlichia, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever) which can wreak havoc on a pet’s internal organs.
Diseases of the blood and immune system, such as Immune-Mediated Hemolytic Anemia (IMHA) and Immune-Mediated Thrombocytopenia (ITP), are life-threatening emergencies. These cases often require hospitalization in our ICU, aggressive immunosuppressive therapy, and frequent monitoring of blood values - care that OVS is uniquely equipped to provide 24/7.
The defining characteristic of the Oklahoma Veterinary Specialists Internal Medicine department is our access to diagnostic imaging and procedural equipment that is generally unavailable in primary care settings. We don’t just look at the outside of the animal; we visualize the cellular level of the problem.
Standard X-rays show the size and shape of organs, but they cannot show texture. Our high-definition ultrasonography allows our specialists to visualize the internal architecture of organs. We can detect subtle changes in the echogenicity of the liver, thickening of intestinal walls indicative of cancer, and structural abnormalities in the adrenal glands. Crucially, we use ultrasound to guide fine-needle aspirates (FNA) or biopsies, obtaining tissue samples without the need for invasive open surgery.
Whenever possible, we opt for minimally invasive techniques to reduce recovery time and pain. Our internists are highly skilled in endoscopy, utilizing a flexible camera to visualize the inside of the body:
Internal Medicine often works hand-in-hand with our diagnostic imaging tools. We rely on Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) for diagnosing deep-seated tumors, vascular anomalies like Portosystemic Shunts (Liver Shunts), and complex brain disorders.
A common misconception is that an internist replaces your primary care veterinarian. In reality, OVS operates on a collaborative model. Your family veterinarian is the frontline defense - handling wellness, vaccinations, and initial sickness.
They refer to Oklahoma Veterinary Specialists when:
Once our internists diagnose the condition and establish a therapeutic plan, we often return the patient to the care of your family vet for long-term maintenance, while remaining available for consultation. We function as an extension of their practice.
We understand that being referred to a specialist can be anxiety-inducing. A consultation with our internal medicine service is designed to be thorough and informative, typically lasting longer than a standard vet visit.
At Oklahoma Veterinary Specialists, our Internal Medicine department combines the deductive reasoning of a detective with the technological capabilities of a modern hospital. By achieving DACVIM status, our specialists have demonstrated their commitment to the highest standards of veterinary care.
If your pet is suffering from a condition that seems untreatable or undiagnosable, ask your family veterinarian about a referral to OVS. We are here to provide the answers, the treatment, and the hope your pet deserves.
Oklahoma Veterinary Specialists delivers 24-hour emergency care and board-certified specialty services with advanced technology and compassionate treatment.
