FAQs

Question: What do all of those letters mean after the specialist’s name?

Answer: The VMD, DVM, DACVIM, DACVECC are abbreviations of various veterinary degrees. The University of Pennsylvania grants a 'VMD' while all other United States Colleges of Veterinary medicine grant 'DVM' degrees.

Here's a few explanations of the abbreviations used to define the doctors on the NEAMC Staff
ACVIM: American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine
DACVS: Diplomate American College of Veterinary Surgeons
DACVR: Diplomate American College of Veterinary Radiology
DACVECC: Diplomate American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care

Veterinarians who have completed residency training in Internal Medicine and met other rigid requirements including passing a comprehensive examination are granted “Diplomate” status and are designated as experts in internal medicine. Less than 1% of all of the veterinarians in the United States are granted ACVIM status.

Question: Why did my family veterinarian refer my pet to a specialist at the New England Animal Medical Center?

Answer: There are many reasons for referring your pet. First and foremost is the dedication of your family veterinarian to the best interests of your pet. The referral may be for the utilization of specialized equipment that your family veterinarian may not have available. For example your pet might benefit from an examination with an endoscope or ultrasound machine. Or perhaps your pet has a complex illness that your family veterinarian feels would best be diagnosed by a specialist in internal medicine.

Question: Will my family veterinarian be involved if my pet is treated at the New England Animal Medical Center by a specialist?

Answer: We keep your family veterinarian updated on your pet’s progress on a regular basis. In addition to phone calls we forward a complete copy of the medical record and a referral letter so that your pet’s medical records will be complete.

Question: Can my pet have its regular vaccines or other annual tests done at the New England Animal Medical Center while he or she is at the hospital?

Answer: No. We feel that it is important that you maintain your relationship with your family veterinarian and request that annual exams be maintained at your regular pet health care facility. Our Internal Medicine specialists do not administer routine annual vaccines or blood tests (unless they are part of the indicated diagnostic testing for a particular problem).