Internal Medicine Veterinary Services in Sydney

Internal Medicine Veterinary Services in Sydney

What is Internal Medicine?

Internal medicine is the investigation, diagnosis and treatment of disorders and diseases affecting the body, particularly the internal organs. It is a broad discipline that takes a holistic approach to the patient, considering all relevant factors. By taking time to understand the patients’ clinical signs and the reasons behind them, effective and efficient treatment can be given.

Here at North Shore Veterinary Specialist Emergency Centre, we combine our team’s expert knowledge and experience with advanced diagnostic techniques to ensure the best outcome for your pet.

When Specialist Investigation May Be Needed

If your pet is experiencing any of the following signs, your local veterinarian may refer you to our care:

  • Persistent vomiting
  • Chronic diarrhoea
  • Excessive drinking and urinating
  • General malaise (a general feeling of discomfort, illness, or lack of wellbeing)
  • Unexplained weight loss or gain
  • Signs of anaemia
  • Fever

When usual diagnostic tests fail to provide a diagnosis for your pet’s symptoms, our internal medicine specialists conduct thorough investigations to identify underlying health issues.

Conditions Treated by Our Internal Medicine Specialists

Veterinary Internal Medicine Specialists diagnose and manage complex, chronic, or multisystem diseases that often require advanced investigation, long-term care, or a tailored treatment approach. Many of these conditions are not easily identified through routine testing alone.

Respiratory Diseases

Respiratory conditions can affect the upper or lower airways and may significantly impact a pet’s comfort and oxygenation. These conditions include:

  • Chronic coughing
  • Nasal disease and discharge
  • Feline asthma
  • Chronic bronchitis
  • Unexplained breathing difficulty

Internal Medicine Specialists use advanced diagnostics to identify underlying causes and develop long-term management plans.

Ongoing or Unexplained Illness

Some pets experience persistent illness without an obvious diagnosis. This may include:

  • Fever of unknown origin
  • Ongoing lethargy
  • Loss of appetite (anorexia)
  • Unexplained or progressive weight loss

These cases often require a systematic, step-by-step diagnostic approach to uncover the underlying cause.

Gastrointestinal Diseases

Chronic or acute gastrointestinal disease can affect nutritional status and quality of life. Common conditions include:

  • Persistent or recurrent vomiting
  • Chronic diarrhoea
  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
  • Pancreatitis

Internal Medicine Specialists assess digestive health using advanced testing and create tailored nutritional and medical treatment plans.

Urinary Tract Diseases

Diseases affecting the kidneys and urinary system are common, particularly in older pets. These include:

  • Upper and lower urinary tract disorders
  • Acute or chronic kidney failure
  • Blood in the urine (haematuria)
  • Complex obstructive conditions requiring Subcutaneous Urethral Bypass (SUBS) systems

Specialist oversight is essential for accurate diagnosis and long-term management.

Haematological Disease

Disorders of the blood can be serious and may develop rapidly. Examples include:

  • Anaemia
  • Thrombocytopenia (low platelet counts)
  • Coagulation disorders (coagulopathies)

Internal Medicine Specialists manage these conditions with careful diagnostics, monitoring, and treatment planning.

Endocrine Disorders

Hormonal imbalances often cause subtle but progressive symptoms. Common endocrine diseases include:

  • Diabetes mellitus
  • Hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing’s disease)
  • Hypoadrenocorticism (Addison’s disease)

These conditions usually require lifelong monitoring and tailored treatment.

Infectious Diseases

Internal Medicine Specialists manage both common and complex infectious diseases. These include:

  • Cryptococcosis
  • Viral infections such as Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)
  • Leptospirosis
  • Fungal infections such as Aspergillosis

Accurate diagnosis and targeted treatment are essential to optimise outcomes.

Neurological Conditions

Conditions affecting the nervous system often require advanced diagnostics. These may include:

  • Seizure disorders
  • Vestibular disease (balance disorders)
  • Neuromuscular junction disorders

Internal Medicine Specialists work closely with diagnostic imaging and neurology services when required.

Hepatobiliary Disease

Liver and biliary disease can cause a wide range of clinical signs. Common conditions include:

  • Cholangiohepatitis
  • Gall bladder mucoceles
  • Congenital or acquired portosystemic shunts

Specialist input helps guide appropriate medical or surgical management.

Immune-Mediated Disorders

Autoimmune conditions occur when the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues. These may include:

  • Immune Mediated Haemolytic Anaemia (IMHA)
  • Immune Mediated Thrombocytopenia (ITP)
  • Immune Mediated Polyarthritis (IMPA)
  • Other immune-mediated inflammatory disorders

These diseases often require intensive diagnostics, immunosuppressive therapy, and close monitoring.

Our internal medicine team works closely with our other hospital departments including the Emergency and Critical Care team, our Surgical department, the ONE Pet Cancer team, Diagnostic imaging and our Anaesthetist to ensure you pet receives the most appropriate treatment.

Advanced Diagnostic Tools

Our Veterinary Internal Medicine Specialists utilise advanced diagnostic tools and specialist-level investigations to uncover the underlying cause of illness and guide targeted, evidence-based treatment plans.

Advanced diagnostic tools used may include:

  • Advanced Laboratory testing
  • Diagnostic Imaging including Xray and Ultrasound
  • Advanced Imaging such as CT or MRI when indicated
  • Endoscopy & Minimally Invasive Procedures

Advanced diagnostics are most effective when supported by collaboration. Our Internal Medicine team works closely with Diagnostic Imaging, Anaesthesia, Surgery, Emergency & Critical Care, and Oncology services to ensure comprehensive assessment and coordinated care.

This multidisciplinary approach allows:

  • Faster diagnosis
  • Reduced need for multiple referrals
  • Clear communication across teams
  • Consistent recommendations for ongoing management

Not every pet requires every diagnostic tool. All investigations are carefully selected and prioritised based on your pet’s condition, clinical stability, and overall health.

Your specialist will discuss recommended tests, alternatives, and expected outcomes so you can make informed decisions about your pet’s care.

Advanced Treatment Options

Veterinary Internal Medicine Specialists provide tailored, evidence-based treatment for complex and chronic medical conditions.

Advanced treatment options may include:

  • Targeted medical and hormonal therapies
  • Immune-modulating and medications
  • Long-term management of kidney, liver, gastrointestinal, and endocrine disease
  • Advanced pain management and nutritional support

When required, treatment is delivered alongside hospitalisation and multidisciplinary specialist care, ensuring close monitoring, coordinated decision-making, and a strong focus on quality of life.

Meet our Internal Medicine Team

Internal Medicine Specialist

Dr. Richard Churcher

Internal Medicine Specialist

Dr. Adam Swallow

Internal Medicine Specialist

Dr Raquel del Solar Bravo

Internal Medicine Registrar

Dr. Lucy Venman

Internal Medicine Specialist

Dr. Richard Churcher

Internal Medicine Specialist

Dr. Adam Swallow

Internal Medicine Specialist

Dr Raquel del Solar Bravo

Internal Medicine Registrar

Dr. Lucy Venman

FAQs

Our Internal Medicine team is equipped to perform and interpret advanced patient assessments, utilising specialised diagnostic and monitoring technologies to thoroughly investigate complex conditions, support accurate diagnosis, and guide tailored, evidence-based treatment plans.

A Veterinary Internal Medicine Specialist is a veterinarian who has completed advanced training and specialist qualifications focused on diagnosing and managing complex, chronic, or poorly understood medical conditions. They work with advanced diagnostics and develop tailored treatment plans for conditions that require a higher level of expertise than general practice alone.

Your veterinarian may recommend referral to an Internal Medicine Specialist if your pet has:

  • Ongoing or recurring illness without a clear diagnosis
  • Complex or multiple medical conditions
  • Chronic gastrointestinal, hormonal, kidney, liver, or immune-mediated disease
  • Symptoms that have not responded to standard treatment
  • Abnormal blood tests or imaging results requiring further investigation

Early referral can help reach a diagnosis sooner and improve long-term outcomes.

Internal Medicine Specialists commonly manage conditions involving:

  • The gastrointestinal tract (chronic vomiting, diarrhoea, weight loss)
  • Endocrine disorders (diabetes, Cushing’s disease, thyroid disease)
  • Kidney and urinary tract disease
  • Liver and pancreatic disease
  • Immune-mediated conditions
  • Chronic respiratory disease
  • Complex infections or inflammatory disease

They also manage cases where multiple body systems are affected simultaneously.

An Internal Medicine consultation is usually longer and more detailed than a standard veterinary visit. It typically includes:

  • A comprehensive review of your pet’s medical history
  • A thorough physical examination
  • Review of previous test results
  • Discussion of additional diagnostics if needed
  • Development of a clear, tailored diagnostic and treatment plan

Your specialist will take time to explain findings and recommendations and answer any questions you may have.

Depending on your pet’s condition, diagnostics may include:

  • Advanced blood and urine testing
  • Ultrasound or other diagnostic imaging
  • Endoscopy or minimally invasive procedures
  • Fine needle aspirates or biopsies

Not all pets require every test. Recommendations are made carefully and guided by clinical findings.

Some pets can be investigated and treated on an outpatient basis. Others may require hospitalisation for:

  • Advanced diagnostics
  • Stabilisation or monitoring
  • Intensive medical treatment

If hospitalisation is recommended, your veterinarian will discuss the reasons, expected duration, and plan of care with you.

In most cases, a referral from your regular veterinarian is recommended. This ensures continuity of care and allows the specialist to review prior history, test results, and treatments. Your specialist will continue to work closely with your regular veterinarian throughout diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up.

Yes. Internal Medicine care is collaborative. Your regular veterinarian remains an important part of your pet’s healthcare team, and detailed reports and ongoing recommendations are shared to support seamless continued care.

A Veterinary Internal Medicine Specialist is a veterinarian who has completed advanced training and specialist qualifications focused on diagnosing and managing complex, chronic, or poorly understood medical conditions. They work with advanced diagnostics and develop tailored treatment plans for conditions that require a higher level of expertise than general practice alone.

Your veterinarian may recommend referral to an Internal Medicine Specialist if your pet has:

  • Ongoing or recurring illness without a clear diagnosis
  • Complex or multiple medical conditions
  • Chronic gastrointestinal, hormonal, kidney, liver, or immune-mediated disease
  • Symptoms that have not responded to standard treatment
  • Abnormal blood tests or imaging results requiring further investigation

Early referral can help reach a diagnosis sooner and improve long-term outcomes.

Internal Medicine Specialists commonly manage conditions involving:

  • The gastrointestinal tract (chronic vomiting, diarrhoea, weight loss)
  • Endocrine disorders (diabetes, Cushing’s disease, thyroid disease)
  • Kidney and urinary tract disease
  • Liver and pancreatic disease
  • Immune-mediated conditions
  • Chronic respiratory disease
  • Complex infections or inflammatory disease

They also manage cases where multiple body systems are affected simultaneously.

An Internal Medicine consultation is usually longer and more detailed than a standard veterinary visit. It typically includes:

  • A comprehensive review of your pet’s medical history
  • A thorough physical examination
  • Review of previous test results
  • Discussion of additional diagnostics if needed
  • Development of a clear, tailored diagnostic and treatment plan

Your specialist will take time to explain findings and recommendations and answer any questions you may have.

Depending on your pet’s condition, diagnostics may include:

  • Advanced blood and urine testing
  • Ultrasound or other diagnostic imaging
  • Endoscopy or minimally invasive procedures
  • Fine needle aspirates or biopsies

Not all pets require every test. Recommendations are made carefully and guided by clinical findings.

Some pets can be investigated and treated on an outpatient basis. Others may require hospitalisation for:

  • Advanced diagnostics
  • Stabilisation or monitoring
  • Intensive medical treatment

If hospitalisation is recommended, your veterinarian will discuss the reasons, expected duration, and plan of care with you.

In most cases, a referral from your regular veterinarian is recommended. This ensures continuity of care and allows the specialist to review prior history, test results, and treatments. Your specialist will continue to work closely with your regular veterinarian throughout diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up.

Yes. Internal Medicine care is collaborative. Your regular veterinarian remains an important part of your pet’s healthcare team, and detailed reports and ongoing recommendations are shared to support seamless continued care.

For Pet Parents

How to access our services

Referral cases: ask your regular veterinarian to refer your pet to our team. We’ll arrange the next steps and guide you through the process.

Emergency care: If your pet is unwell or you’re concerned about urgent symptoms, you can come directly to our hospital – no referral required. Our emergency team is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

For Referring Vets

Why Refer to Us?

Our Internal Medicine team is led by Board-certified specialists and are available for consultations from Monday to Friday (excludes public holidays). We are also happy to answer advice requests from referring vets who wish to discuss cases prior to referral. An Internal Medicine specialist is someone who has undertaken several years of additional study and training beyond their Veterinary Degree. To gain specialist status, vets have to pass a series of examinations after completing their additional training.

North Shore Vet clinic entrance Artarmon

Veterinary Specialist & Emergency Centre North Shore

Veterinary Specialist & Emergency Centre North Shore

We take pride in offering the latest medical equipment, often comparable to that found in human hospitals. Our on-site facilities mean we can treat your pet straight away.

As a multidisciplinary veterinary hospital, our Cardiology team works closely with Emergency & Critical Care, Internal Medicine, Surgery, and Anaesthesia to provide coordinated, high-level care.

Located on Sydney’s lower north shore, our 24-hour emergency hospital operates 365 days a year, including public holidays. Experienced veterinarians and dedicated nursing staff are on-site at all times to provide continuous access to urgent and life-saving care when it matters most.