INTERNAL MEDICINE
What it means to be a Boarded
Small Animal Internist?
Specialties recognized by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) include Internal Medicine, Cardiology, Oncology and Neurology. To become board certified an applicant
must complete four years of veterinary education and become a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM). After completing the DVM degree at least one year of a rotating internship is required.
Once the internship is completed the doctor can apply for a three-year residency program in approved institutions. During the second year of residence there is a qualifier exam.
Once this exam is passed the resident can sit for the third-year credentialing exam. This examination is two days of theoretical and practical knowledge. ACVIM grants board certification to applicants only after successfully completing a residency program, including clinical practice, research, and publications in scientific journals, and passing both tests.
This is a rigorous process and only the people that have successfully completed all these steps can call themselves Diplomates of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
Your Pet’s First Visit
Patients are seen by appointment only and by referral. Appointments with any of ourspecialists can be made by calling the reception desk at (787) 708-4545.
When you arrive at CEVET, you will be greeted by one of our receptionists who will assist you in completing the registration form. You can download the registration form here and complete at home or please arrive 15 minutes before your appointment to complete all necessary paperwork. It is essential that you bring all relevant information from your primary veterinarian, including copies of recent laboratory tests performed, radiographs, and medications previously prescribed, at least 6 months of records are recommended.
Dr. Torres and one of the Medicine Department veterinary technicians will obtain a medical history, review the radiographs and laboratory tests done by your veterinarian and perform a complete physical examination on your pet.
A diagnostic and treatment plan will be established and carefully discussed with you. Once the plan is approved, we will perform some of the procedures during this visit, which might include abdominal ultrasound, fine needle aspiration of lesions, specialized laboratory testing, and others.
If your pet needs a procedure that requires general anesthesia, this will be scheduled at a later date. Exceptions are possible, and in some cases these procedures could be done on the same day.
Please plan for atleast a 60-minute appointment. In cases where multiple diagnostics are to be done the same day, we will ask you to drop off your pet during the day to be discharged in the afternoon.
Please do not feed your pet the morning of the appointment unless your pet has a condition where you have been told feeding is necessary. If you have questions about feeding instructions, please contact CEVET at (787) 708-4545.
HOW TO SEND US
YOUR PET'S RECORDS
You or your veterinarian can send medical records
via email at cevet@coqui.netf
Contact us
Your veterinarian will receive a complete referral report of what was done to your pet while at CEVET. This report is sent via electronic mail even before your pet has been discharged from the hospital in some cases. In this report, your veterinarian will get a copy of the laboratory results, radiographic findings, surgery reports, and medications prescribed.
Please ask all the questions you have before you leave. If you have further questions once you get home, feel free to contact us. If you have an emergency and cannot reach us or your regular veterinarian, please call the local emergency hospitals immediately.
