Weatherford Equine Medical Center provides board-certified large animal internal medicine care with Andrew Willis, DVM, DACVIM (LAIM). Cases are accepted on both a referral and first-opinion basis. 

Just like in human medicine, there are specialists in veterinary medicine that have advanced training in specific areas. These veterinary specialists offer expertise that helps ensure the best possible outcome for your horse. Some of the specific areas that commonly fall under the purview of internal medicine include: 

• At-risk pregnancy management and perinatology
• Adult and neonatal intensive and emergency care
• Endoscopic evaluation (e.g., gastroscopy, airway endoscopy, cystoscopy)
• Infectious disease control and isolation
• Outpatient treatment and examination
• Endocrinological evaluation (e.g., EMS, PPID)
• Ophthalmology (a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist is available when needed)
• Neurologic examination and care (e.g., cerebrospinal fluid analysis, sling care)
• Cardiac evaluation (e.g., echocardiography, electrocardiography, exercise ECG)
• Respiratory disorders (e.g., transtracheal wash, bronchoalveolar lavage)
• Autoimmune and neoplastic disorders
• Gastroenterology
• Dermatological evaluation
• Muscle disorders and poor performance evaluations
• Urology
• Ultrasonography

Both primary care veterinarians and veterinary specialists have completed, at minimum, four years of veterinary college and earned a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree or equivalent. To become a Board-certified veterinary specialist, a veterinarian must go on to complete additional training, which includes a minimum of a one-year internship or equivalent and two to three years in an approved residency training program. The veterinarian must then pass a series of examinations, case logs, research, and clinical writing assessments to achieve Board-certification.

Currently, there are over 20 recognized veterinary specialty organizations with more than 45 different veterinary specialties. The largest of these veterinary specialty organizations is the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM).

Typically, if your horse needs veterinary care, they will be evaluated first by a primary care veterinarian. If your horse develops a problem or illness that requires advanced care and procedures, your primary care veterinarian may then refer you to a veterinary specialist. Veterinary specialists work closely with animal owners, as well as the primary care veterinarian, to coordinate the best quality of care.

While you don’t need a referral from a primary care veterinarian to see a veterinary specialist, it is often very helpful (and can save you time and money) to consult with your primary care veterinarian first, as some conditions are commonly managed by a general practitioner. Even if your horse does need specialty help, it can be beneficial to have your primary care veterinarian start by sharing information about your horse’s history with the referral clinic. This would include physical exam findings, test results, and previously attempted treatments. They can also help direct you to the proper kind of veterinary specialist for your horse’s particular condition, making the process easier for you.