Compassionate Care.

A veterinary internist specializes in diagnosing and treating serious or complex diseases that often affect multiple organs. These diseases can be either chronic, having been present for many months or years, or could be imminently life-threatening having been only present for hours. Veterinary internists treat patients medically and do not perform surgery.

Veterinary internists have completed additional training after receiving a four-year Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree. This training includes a one-year internship, followed by a three-year residency in internal medicine. Completion of the residency requires clinical training and teaching at a veterinary school or similar veterinary specialty hospital. Also required is the writing and publication of veterinary-related research, and finally the passing of two separate written exams administered by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM). Upon successful completion of the internship and residency requirements, and successfully passing the required examinations, a veterinarian becomes recognized and awarded Diplomate status by the ACVIM.

No! Many people believe that an “internist” is the same as an “ultrasonographer”.  In fact, ultrasound is only a small part of what internists do. Through additional residency training, specific knowledge and focused experience, internists provide your pet with additional and sometimes alternative treatment options during their road to recovery.  

We certainly hope that you never need us, but if you feel that your pet may benefit from an evaluation by one of our internists, we are here for you. You may call your family veterinarian and request a referral, or, simply contact us and we will contact you to schedule an appointment.

Blood Disorders
Disorders resulting in too few, too many, or atypical blood cells including immune- mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA), thrombocytopenia and neutropenia, iron deficiency anemia, blood loss anemia, bone marrow dysfunction from toxicities, pre-malignancies and infectious diseases and polycythemia.

Digestive
Esophageal strictures and swallowing disorders, disorders of the stomach, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), swallowed foreign objects, pancreatitis, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI), diseases of the rectum and anus including masses, strictures and perianal fistulas.

Endocrine
Hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, diabetes mellitus, hypoparathyroidism, hyperparathyroidism, other disorders of calcium homeostasis, hypoadrenocorticism and hyperadrenocorticism.

Infectious Diseases
FeLV, FIV, FIP, insect transmitted infectious diseases, bacterial, viral and fungal infections and parasitic, viral diarrheal diseases.

Liver & Gallbladder
Acute & chronic hepatitis, liver and gallbladder infection, gallstones, biliary mucocele and liver shunt diagnosis.

Respiratory
Nasal discharge and sneezing from nasal foreign objects, fungal infection, allergies and inflammatory polyps; lower respiratory disorders including chronic bronchitis, collapsing airways, feline asthma, pneumonia, pulmonary edema, pleural effusion, allergic airway disease and pulmonary fibrosis.

Urogenital
Acute kidney failure, chronic kidney disease, pyelonephritis, sterile and bacterial cystitis, kidney and bladder stones, renal-associated systemic hypertension, prostatitis, vaginitis, pyometra diagnosis and congenital urogenital problems such as ectopic ureters and congenital renal dysplasia.

Your pet may benefit from seeing one of our internists if a disease or symptom remains undiagnosed, the condition requires advanced imaging, endoscopy or specialized treatments or if your pet has multiple diseases present. Your pet may also benefit from seeing us if they have not been responding as expected to treatments already prescribed by your family veterinarian.

Our veterinarians are an extension of your family veterinarian. We work together with, and are not a replacement for, the veterinarian who sees your pet on a regular basis.

We do not provide vaccinations or routine health care. We do not sell heartworm medications, flea and tick prevention, or pet food. We provide specialized diagnostics and treatments, and have access to specialized equipment not routinely available at your family veterinarian.

Yes! In most situations, we encourage close, ongoing follow up with your pet’s regular veterinarian after initial consultation and treatment by our internists. It may be advantageous for pets with certain diseases or conditions to continue to follow-up with one of our internists, but most pets eventually can resume testing and treatment closer to home, with their family veterinarian.

Our internists are available to speak with your veterinarian about your pets’ rechecks and testing performed by them. Because we cannot examine your pet at those visits, we will rely on a telephone conversation with your veterinarian to be sure that we are giving the correct advice.

For the safety of your pet, we cannot comment on lab tests that are sent to us without a discussion with your family veterinarian about your pet’s progress.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, for the safety of everyone, we have changed the way we interact with one another. We ask that everyone please wear a mask when interacting with out staff — all of our staff are required to wear masks and follow CDC guidelines pertaining to COVID-19

When you set up your appointment, we will email you information on the steps that we are taking.

When you arrive at our hospital, please call us fro the parking lot to let us know that you have arrived. Over the phone, one of our technicians will discuss the details of your pet’s medical history. Then, the technician will come out to your car and bring your pet into the hospital where the internist will examine your pet, and then call you and discuss testing and treatment options. Please note that if your pet has been pre- scheduled for an ultrasound exam, this will be performed at that time, and then the internist will discuss the results with you. Further testing and treatments will not be performed without your consent. Also, please know that we will not sedate or anesthetize your pet without your direct consent.

Some diagnostic tests require several hours to perform, and in that case, we may ask you to leave your pet with us for the day while those tests are being performed. If your pet stays with us for the day, we ask that you come back by 6:00 pm to discuss the day’s results with us and to pick up your pet.

After initial testing is complete, if it is determined that your pet needs an anesthetic procedure (e.g. endoscopy), these tests may be scheduled for a different day. On that day you will drop your pet off at the hospital in the morning, the procedures will be performed during the day, and then you will pick your pet up by 6:00 pm.

If your pet’s medical condition is serious enough that it warrants admission to the hospital, they will be cared for in our 24-hour ICU. While your pet is in the hospital, they will be cared for 24/7 by a combination of veterinarians and veterinary technicians — you pet will never be left alone.

Each day, one of our internists or staff members will call you to provide a medical update, and to discuss your pet’s plan for the day. At other times of the day until 5:00 pm, you may call and receive updates on your pet’s progress.

During COVID-19, we have modified visiting guidelines — as these guidelines change, we will discuss these with you at the time your pet is hospitalized. We do not have overnight visitation hours, and overnight updates are not provided routinely (unless there is a change in your pet’s medical status).

Some pets become very anxious during and especially after a family visit; in these situations, visiting may not be in the best interest for your pet’s recovery. If you have concerns about any anxiety tendencies your pet may have, please discuss this with our staff.

We have a variety of foods to feed your pet while they are in the hospital. Although you are not required to provide your pet’s food while they are in the hospital, you may do so. We may also ask you to bring something special (e.g. a favorite food, treat or even deli turkey/chicken) for your pet that may tempt them to eat if they are refusing to do so.

Although we love animals and wish we could help every furry creature at no cost, we would not be in business very long and not be able to help very many animals. Therefore, payment is expected when services are provided.

For patients that are admitted to the hospital, an estimate of anticipated fees will be provided and a deposit required. For patients hospitalized for extended periods, additional deposits will be requested during the course of their stay.

Accepted payment methods include cash, credit cards, and CareCredit. Unfortunately, we do not offer a payment plan or senior citizen or military discounts at this time.

If you have pet insurance, we will be more than happy to provide you with the necessary supporting documentation and medical records, and assist you with the submission of the claim.

A technician is recognized as an awarded registered veterinary technician (RVT) status by the state of Georgia only after having completed an associate degree in applied science (veterinary technology), followed by the successful passing of a national and local board examination.

The state of Georgia recognizes RVTs’ accomplishments and expertise in veterinary medicine. Certain tasks within a veterinary hospital are only allowed to be performed by registered veterinary technicians and not veterinary assistants, emphasizing the importance of training and experience that these tasks demand. Veterinary technicians can also earn a specialty certification VTS (Veterinary Technician Specialty)

We are proud of our staff members who have, and who are currently pursuing, this certification. As of October 2019, there were only three veterinary hospitals in the state of Georgia with a VTS-certified RVT, and Savannah Veterinary Internal Medicine is one of them! This additional technician training helps all of our patients which means your pets!