Internal Medicine

Our Internal Medicine team are proud to offer specialist level investigation and treatment for a wide variety of problems, including anaemia, bleeding problems, acute or chronic gastrointestinal disease, liver disease, nasal disease, renal and urinary disease, respiratory disease, pyrexia (fever) and a variety of endocrine (hormone) problems. We are also happy to see patients that do not obviously fit into one particular category alone. Management for many cases involves a team approach, involving our other specialist disciplines such as anaesthesia, diagnostic imaging and surgery, along with the excellent care provided by our veterinary nurses.

Top 10 conditions:

  • Immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia (IMHA) and immune-mediated thrombocytopenia (IMTP)
  • Canine chronic hepatitis
  • Feline cholangiohepatitis – neutrophilic/lymphoplasmacytic
  • Chronic enteropathies
  • Pancreatitis
  • Pyrexia of unknown origin
  • Endocrinopathies – diabetes mellitus, Addison’s, Cushing’s
  • Protein-losing nephropathy/glomerular disease
  • Urinary tract infections
  • Pleural effusions.

We provide routine appointments Monday to Friday, with appointments available at various times of day to accommodate client needs. We also offer round-the-clock cover in Internal Medicine, with a clinician always available to manage inpatients and provide support for ongoing cases and to see emergency referrals if appropriate.

The combination of expertise and facilities on offer means we are equipped to see a full range of cases, from chronic, stable routine medical conditions to urgent, acutely ill patients.

During a typical consultation we will review clinical history and results of any diagnostics carried out prior to referral, take a detailed history from the owners, carry out physical examination, formulate a problem list, and discuss a plan for diagnostics and therapy with the owners. Many medical cases will be admitted to the hospital for investigations and treatment. Communication throughout this period is key, and owners of hospitalised patients will usually be updated at least twice daily. A discharge report is provided for owners, summarising results to date, treatment required, and an ongoing plan. This report is forwarded to the referring vet on the day the patient goes home, ensuring that they have any important information immediately.

Referring vets are welcome to telephone for case updates at any stage, particularly for patients hospitalised for prolonged periods of time. A full written report comprising final test results and management plan is provided to the referring veterinary surgeon as promptly as possible following discussion with the owners.

We are always happy to see patients again for any required follow-up, allowing us to discuss ongoing treatment and diagnostic test results.  Where a return visit to Northwest Veterinary Specialists is not possible then we are equally happy to support the referring practice in managing any follow-up required. In view of the complex nature of some medical problems owners are encouraged to contact us by telephone to provide progress reports and report any concerns. If owners or referring vets are at all concerned, we are always happy to discuss these and to help in any way we can.

Canine & Feline Internal Medicine Facilities

Meet the Team

Our specialist team working in this department

Dr Rebecca Littler

MA, VetMB, PhD, DSAM, MRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Internal Medicine

Head of Internal Medicine

Chantal Teixeira Rosa

DVM, BVSc(Hons), MMedVet(Med), DipECVIM-CA, MRCVS, European Recognised Specialist in Veterinary Internal Medicine, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Veterinary Internal Medicine

Internal Medicine Specialist

Francesca Venier

DVM DipECVIM-CA GPCert(FelP) ISFM AdvCertFB MRCVS, EBVS® and RCVS European Veterinary Specialist in Small Animal Internal Medicine

Internal Medicine Specialist

Harry Warwick

BVM&S BSc DipECVIM-CA MRCVS

Internal Medicine Specialist

Karen Crawford

BVMS , MRCVS

Internal Medicine Clinician