Online Internal Medicine Consultation is now Available! 
Introducing the first and only online specialist consultation service for pet owners. 

What is it?

There are many specialist consultation services available for vets, but none for pet owners.  This service is intended to complement the care that a pet is already receiving from a veterinarian, and the consultation I provide can be used to help guide further testing or treatment of the pet and provide direction in the pet's care.  A definitive diagnosis will be left up to your veterinarian, and prescription medications cannot be prescribed without a concurrent exam.  There is no substitute for a complete, hands-on physical exam by a veterinarian, but a thorough history and a trained eye at interpretation of test results are often just as important and provide the basis for this service, for those situations when an actual office visit with a specialist is not possible or feasible. 

Online internal medicine consultation can be helpful for:

•  sick pets who are not responding well to therapy
•  pets or their humans who cannot come in for an appointment
•  routine monitoring of chronic illnesses, such as:
      diabetic monitoring  
      autoimmune disorders 
      inflammatory bowel disease  
      cancer or chemotherapy 
•  advice on other treatment options or additional tests that may be helpful
•  veterinarians and pet owners who would like a second opinion or advice on a patient's care

How it works:

• You complete and submit the form below with a detailed history of the pet's problems
• Recent test results by your vet can be provided online or by fax (757-605-1612).  Test results are important and should be provided if at all possible.
• I review the information that you submit.  If I believe I can provide helpful advice to you, someone from my office will contact you to arrange credit card payment.  Note that no payment information is requested until I have reviewed the case.  If additional information is needed to provide the consultation, we will email you additional questions to answer.  If I feel I cannot provide worthwhile advice, we will let you know that and you will not be charged anything. 
• A written consultation is then provided by myself, a board-certified veterinary internal medicine specialist, to the email address that you provide within 2 regular business days of receiving your request.  A copy of the consult can also be sent by email to your vet if you like.  Note that all communication (other than submitting payment) is done online.  This is not a real time or chat service, and phone consultation is not available with this service.
• If needed, one follow-up online consultation is provided free of charge within the next week to ensure all questions are answered.

How can this consultation help my pet?

It is intended to provide an objective, impartial opinion by a veterinary specialist on your pet's problems and hopefully provide some guidance on your pet's care.  Questions that I try to answer may include:   

• What are possible diagnoses?
• Are there additional medical issues which may be complicating your pet's response to treatment?
• What do test results mean in your pet's circumstances?
• What other tests may be helpful in diagnosing and treating your pet?
• Are there other treatment options to consider? 

What types of problems can be helped by internal medicine consultation?

• Dogs and cats only
• Diseases of the internal organs, including the liver, pancreas, kidneys, immune and blood systems, gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract, urinary tract, and endocrine system.
• Symptoms including: weight loss, changes in appetite, weakness, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, increased thirst or urination, straining, chronic coughing or sneezing, fluid retention.
• Chronic or recurrent illnesses requiring ongoing therapy and tests

For what types of problems will internal medicine consultation not be provided?

• emergencies including poisoning and injury
• alternative / natural therapies (homeopathy, herbal, etc) 
• detailed nutritional consultation
• orthopedic conditions
• neurologic conditions including seizures
• allergies and skin problems
• advanced heart disease
• pregnancy problems and breeding programs
• any pet other than a dog or a cat
      

Why offer this service?

 After 18 years in specialty referral practice, I often have a very good idea of what may be wrong with my patients by reviewing their test results and obtaining a thorough history of the symptoms before I even examine the pet.  In addition, many of my patients have chronic illnesses that require ongoing monitoring and testing - many clients prefer to have their pet's labwork done at their own vet's office but would like my input on the test results and any changes in therapy.  The keys to effective medical care are often knowing the right questions to ask the pet owner, listening closely to what the owner tells me, and separating out the important information from that which is not.  Many of my clients have researched their pet's problems on the internet before arriving for their appointment, but as you probably are aware, the quality and accuracy of online information varies widely.   I decided that utlilizing my experience and training to provide online consultation could be a service of tremendous value for some pet owners, and a way to help sick pets that otherwise may not receive the benefit of a specialist's expertise.  This service is not intended to replace an exam and treatment by your veterinarian or another veterinary specialist, but rather as a way to help provide more thorough and specialized care for your pet in those instances in which an appointment with a specialist is not feasible.

How much does it cost?

• Comprehensive case consultation (new patients)                                    $75.00
• Medical  progress update (recheck), including review of test results     $25.00