FAQ

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

• DACVIM: Diplomate, 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

Some veterinarians choose to specialize in various areas including internal medicine, ophthalmology, cardiology, critical care, dermatology, surgery, and oncology. Specialists undergo considerable post-graduate training beyond the six to eight years of college education normally required to earn a veterinary degree. This post-graduate training includes a 1yr internship, 3 yr residency, and documented clinical experience that lays the groundwork for a candidate to take and pass the rigorous exam leading to Diplomate status. Less than 1% of all of the veterinarians in the United States are granted ACVIM status.

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.

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.

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).