Internal Medicine

The internal medicine doctors at Veterinary Specialists and Emergency Service, boarded in small animal internal medicine, have the advanced training, equipment and experience to diagnose and treat a variety of gastrointestinal, hormonal, urinary, hematologic (blood related), respiratory, infectious and immune-mediated diseases. The internal medicine service is dedicated to providing the highest quality and compassionate care to dogs and cats with a variety of disorders. Our patients’ well-being and quality of life is our primary concern. We look forward to working with you and your referring veterinarian to provide the best in care and monitoring for your pet.

What Separates us From The Rest?

Obtaining board certification in internal medicine entails three parts:

successfully completing an internship and residency in small animal internal medicine,
passing the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine qualifying and certifying examination, and
having a scientific publication accepted by a peer-reviewed journal.

Dr. Koch is boarded in small animal internal medicine. As the only boarded internal medicine doctor in Rochester, we are able to offer the highest level of care without the need for extensive travel. We strive to keep your referring veterinarian informed and involved in the ongoing care of your pet.

For more information about veterinary specialization, please visit the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.

Veterinarians

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Michael Koch, VMD, Diplomate ACVIM	Caitlyn Glick, Internal Medicine Intern

Specialty Coordinators

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As the internal medicine service coordinator, Ally Sherman has many functions. Internal medicine encompasses a variety of different types of cases. When the doctor is not available, she able to help assist owners with any concerns or questions they may have. Since Ally gets to know patients' cases and their families so well, she has been designated to schedule all recheck appointments for internal medicine service; ensuring the length and timing of the recheck appointment is appropriate for the patients' needs. Ally is in the hospital Tuesday through Friday from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm.

Ally Sherman, ACA

Your Visit

Initial consultations generally take one and a half hours. During that time a full history is taken, previous tests reviewed, and a physical examination is performed. You will meet with Dr. Koch during the consultation and will discuss recommendations for further diagnostics or treatments. The initial examination fee is $175. Depending on the presenting problem, additional fees for diagnostics or treatment may be necessary and these will be discussed with you during the consultation. With the exception of diabetic pets, no food should be given after 10pm the evening prior to you pet’s initial appointment as certain diagnostic tests can only be performed on an empty stomach. You should continue to allow your pet to have free access to water.

Phone calls and visits for your hospitalized pets

While on the internal medicine service, you will receive updates on your pet twice each day with the exception of Sundays. On Sundays, updates will only be given in the morning. If your pet’s status changes significantly while in the hospital, we will notify you immediately (even in the middle of the night). Due to the complex medical histories of our patients, you will only be able receive updates from members of the internal medicine service. Since the internal medicine service is only here during the day, you will not be able to obtain updates overnight.

While your pet is in the hospital, one visit per day can be scheduled. On the internal medicine service we require that visits are arranged ahead of time with the internal medicine doctors or staff so that we can ensure that you do not arrive while your pet is in the middle of receiving treatments. If possible, the doctors like to be available during visits. You can set up an appointment to visit your pet during the morning update call or call and speak to Ally to make arrangements. If the clinician feels that a visit is not in the best interest of your pet, we may inform you that a visit is not possible. We do not allow visits on days during which your pet will have anesthesia. On Sundays, visits will only be allowed first thing in the morning.

Services Provided

The internal medicine service provides diagnostic and treatment services for a variety of gastrointestinal, hormonal, urinary, hematologic (blood related), respiratory, infectious and immune-mediated diseases, and lymphoma. Radiographs (x-rays), ultrasound, and bone marrow evaluations (aspirates and biopsies) aid in the diagnosis of a multitude of medical diseases. Endoscopy, a procedure that allows visual examination of the interior of a body cavity or organ (such as the bladder, stomach, intestines or airway) is also available. The respiratory, urinary and gastrointestinal tract can be non-invasively evaluated and biopsies can be non-invasively obtained. We also have the ability to perform endoscopic removal of foreign bodies from the esophagus and stomach. Stomach and esophageal feeding tubes can be placed to provide temporary nutrition when a dog or cat will not or cannot eat. We also provide 24-hour intensive care monitoring for patients who are especially sick.

For a list of services offered and diseases treated please click here.

How Do I Schedule A Consultation?

Appointments are set up by referral from your local veterinarian. Consultations are scheduled Tuesday through Friday.