From Dr. Kathy – During veterinary school veterinarians learn “the basics.” Most common disorders and procedures are covered very intensely; rarer conditions may only be briefly mentioned.
Once we graduate from veterinary school we may start practicing immediately or can chose to pursue a specialty degree, which may take from 2-10 additional years. No general practitioner (GP) can possibly know the “ins and outs” of every pet malady. Therefore, GP’s often (or, should) offer their clients referral to specialists if either, they are unable to provide a satisfactory diagnosis and/or treatment, or if they are unfamiliar with such. For example, GPs often refer to oncologists, internal medicine specialists, veterinary dentists, surgeons, etc. The American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) has six distinct specialties: Cardiology, Large Animal Internal Medicine, Neurology, Nutrition, Oncology, and Small Animal Internal Medicine. These areas focus on advanced diagnosis and treatment for complex diseases in animals.
The six ACVIM specialties are:
Cardiology: Diagnosis and treatment of heart and lung conditions.
Large Animal Internal Medicine: Internal medicine for horses, cattle, sheep, goats, and other large animals.
Neurology: Treatment of diseases in the brain, spinal cord, and nerves.
Nutrition: Research and application of diet in animal health.
Oncology: Cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Small Animal Internal Medicine: Internal medicine for cats and dogs.
ACVIM Diplomates are board-certified specialists in one or more of these fields.
Additionally, there are surgical specialists (American College of Veterinary Surgery – large or small animal).
Some boarded specialists also have additional training/expertise in “subspecialties” such as kidney disease, endocrinology, theriogenology (reprroduction) etc, etc, etc.
Consultation with a specialist often provides a faster diagnosis/therapy plan AND is less costly in the long run than going back and forth to a GP.
A medical specialist in the US may be found here:
– Veterinary specialist large or small animal:
https://www.vetspecialists.com/find-a-specialist
– Veterinary behaviorists:
https://www.dacvb.org/default.aspx
– Veterinary cardiologist:
https://vetspecialists.com/specialties/cardiology
– Veterinary dentists:
– Veterinary dermatologist:
– Veterinary neurologists:
– Veterinary nutritionists:
https://www.acvim.org/about-acvim/acvn-redirect
– Veterinary surgeons:
**The Vet Corner groups encourage members to establish a relationship with their local veterinarian, don’t wait until an emergency.**
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