Internal Medicine
What Separates us From The Rest? | Veterinarians | Specialty Coordinators | Your Visit | Services Provided | How Do I Schedule A Consultation?
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, |
Daniel Cahn, |
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. |
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Ally Sherman, ACA |
Your Visit
During the initial consultation appointment, a full history is taken, previous diagnostic test results are 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 10 p.m. the evening before your 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.
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) help to diagnose many 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?
A referral from your pet's primary care doctor is required for an appointment. Consultation appointments are scheduled Tuesday through Friday and can be made by calling VSES at (585) 424-1260.