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(908) 236-4120

23 Blossom Hill Rd, Lebanon, NJ 08833 - Open 24/7

Emergency Only
Crown Veterinary Specialists & Associates logo features a crown design and the motto "Together We Heal" in blue and gold colors.

Internal Medicine

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Advanced Internal Medicine Care For Your Pet

If your pet has a known or suspected problem of the internal organs, your Primary Veterinarian may recommend an Internal Medicine consultation. Our Board-Certified Internal Medicine doctor will work with your Primary Veterinarian to provide comprehensive and compassionate care for your pet.

Small Animal Internal Medicine includes many subdisciplines including gastroenterology (esophageal, stomach and intestinal disease), hepatology (liver and pancreatic disease), endocrinology (hormonal disease), infectious diseases, urology (urinary tract disease), nephrology (kidney disease), respiratory medicine (nose, airway and lung disease), and hematology & immunology (blood cell and immune-disease).

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Internal Medicine specialists work up and manage:

  • Endocrine conditions, like diabetes and Cushing’s disease
  • Kidney and bladder disease, like chronic kidney disease or problems urinating
  • Gastrointestinal problems, like chronic vomit or diarrhea
  • Blood disorders, like low platelets
  • Immune-mediated or infectious diseases, like immune-mediated hemolytic anemia
  • Respiratory problems, like chronic cough or nasal discharge
What to Expect

When your pet arrives at Crown, please check in at the front desk. Our experienced veterinary technicians will bring you and your pet to an exam room and conduct a comprehensive review of your concerns. Please know all medications your pet is on, as well as the dosages. You can bring the medications or a photo of each medication label with you, if that is easier to remember. The nurse will review the history with the doctor, who will then examine your pet, and come talk to you about next steps. Some diagnostic tests, such as basic blood and urine testing and ultrasound, can often be done the same day. Other diagnostic tests, such as endoscopy or specialized blood tests, may be scheduled at a later date.

Internal Medicine specialists can perform many specialized diagnostic procedures, including abdominal ultrasound; CT scan; minimally invasive scope and biopsy of the gut, nose, bladder, and windpipe; needle samples of internal organs or fluid; feeding tube placement and management; bone marrow sampling; blood sugar curves; and numerous advanced diagnostic tests of blood and urine.

For more information about Veterinary Internal Medicine specialists, go to the Vetspecialist website here

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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Internal Medicine specialists can perform many specialized diagnostic procedures, including abdominal ultrasound; CT scan; minimally invasive scope and biopsy of the gut, nose, bladder, and windpipe; needle samples of internal organs or fluid; feeding tube placement and management; bone marrow sampling; blood sugar curves; and numerous advanced diagnostic tests of blood and urine.

Once your Primary Veterinarian suspects or finds a disease requiring specialist care, they will recommend that you schedule an appointment with Crown Internal Medicine. Ideally, your veterinarian will provide the specialist with a thorough summary of diagnostics and care along with all pertinent results for the specialist to review prior to your appointment.

If you normally sedate your pet before seeing your Primary Veterinarian, you should probably sedate your pet before seeing the specialist. If you have any questions about whether to sedate your pet, please ask your Primary Veterinarian.

We generally recommend fasting your pet before your specialist appointment, because certain blood and imaging tests are best done when fasted. However, if your pet is diabetic, do not ever fast your pet. And if you wish to know more about fasting before your appointment, please just call us.

If you have a question about the disease that we currently treat your pet for, or a medication that was prescribed by our department, please call the Internal Medicine department. For example, if your pet has recently seen us for inflammatory bowel disease, and is still experiencing diarrhea, please call us.

If you have a question about a new problem that we do not manage your pet for, or a medication or diet that was recommended elsewhere, please start by calling your primary veterinarian. For example, if your pet has recently seen us for inflammatory bowel disease, and is experiencing coughing, please call your primary veterinarian. Once your veterinarian works your pet up for the new problem, he or she will let you know if a new referral to Internal Medicine is advised for the new problem.

If your pet is experiencing an emergency, you are welcome to call us, though we may recommend that you call or visit an Emergency Veterinarian. Or you are welcome to directly call or visit our Emergency Department.

The Internal Medicine Department at Crown Veterinary Specialists offers abdominal ultrasounds on an outpatient basis. These ultrasound examinations are performed by a board certified Internist. Our nurses will take a brief history of your pet’s presenting complaint, but you will not be meeting with the doctor. The results will be sent to and discussed with your primary veterinarian. If possible, please make sure your veterinarian will be available within 24-48 hours of this appointment to receive the results and discuss them with you.

If your pet normally requires sedation for any veterinary visits, please speak to your Primary Veterinarian about whether this appointment is right for your pet. Our doctor will not be performing a physical exam during this appointment and cannot prescribe sedation for your pet, should they need it. Many pets benefit from some form of sedation for this exam.

Veterinary internal medicine focuses on diagnosing and managing complex conditions that affect a pet’s internal organs and body systems. An internal medicine specialist uses advanced testing to create comprehensive care plans that support long-term health.
A specialist reviews your pet’s medical history, performs a detailed physical examination, and recommends targeted diagnostics such as blood and urine testing, X-rays, ultrasound, endoscopy, or minimally invasive sampling. These tests help reach an accurate diagnosis and guide treatment. If you normally sedate your pet before seeing your Primary Veterinarian, you should probably sedate your pet before seeing the specialist. If you have any questions about whether to sedate your pet, please ask your Primary Veterinarian. We generally recommend fasting your pet before your specialist appointment, because certain blood and imaging tests are best done when fasted. However, if your pet is diabetic, do not ever fast your pet. And if you wish to know more about fasting before your appointment, please just call us.
We manage a wide range of cases, including endocrine disorders such as diabetes, Cushing’s, Addison’s, and thyroid disease; gastrointestinal issues such as chronic vomiting, diarrhea, IBD, and pancreatitis; metabolic and organ diseases affecting the liver, kidneys, or electrolytes; and immune-mediated disorders such as anemia and thrombocytopenia. We also provide long-term care for chronic conditions. If you have a question about a new problem that we do not manage your pet for, or a medication or diet that was recommended elsewhere, please start by calling your primary veterinarian. For example, if your pet has recently seen us for inflammatory bowel disease, and is experiencing coughing, please call your primary veterinarian. Once your veterinarian works your pet up for the new problem, he or she will let you know if a new referral to Internal Medicine is advised for the new problem. If your pet is experiencing an emergency, you are welcome to call us, though we may recommend that you call or visit an Emergency Veterinarian. Or you are welcome to directly call or visit our Emergency Department.

We use a step-by-step approach to identify the cause. This includes ruling out parasites and infections, evaluating diet and nutrient absorption, and using imaging or endoscopy with biopsies if needed. The goal is to create a personalized treatment plan for short- and long-term digestive health.

If your pet normally requires sedation for any veterinary visits, please speak to your Primary Veterinarian about whether this appointment is right for your pet. Our doctor will not be performing a physical exam during this appointment and cannot prescribe sedation for your pet, should they need it. Many pets benefit from some form of sedation for this exam.

Endocrine care includes specialized lab testing such as glucose curves, ACTH stimulation, and thyroid panels. Based on the results, we customize medication and recheck schedules to maintain balance and ensure safe, effective treatment. If your pet normally requires sedation for any veterinary visits, please speak to your Primary Veterinarian about whether this appointment is right for your pet. Our doctor will not be performing a physical exam during this appointment and cannot prescribe sedation for your pet, should they need it. Many pets benefit from some form of sedation for this exam.
Yes. Internal medicine is highly collaborative. We share diagnostic findings, treatment plans, and recheck recommendations so your family veterinarian remains fully involved. When needed, we coordinate with other specialists such as cardiology, surgery, or critical care. If your pet normally requires sedation for any veterinary visits, please speak to your Primary Veterinarian about whether this appointment is right for your pet. Our doctor will not be performing a physical exam during this appointment and cannot prescribe sedation for your pet, should they need it. Many pets benefit from some form of sedation for this exam.
Many patients can be treated as outpatients. If intensive support such as IV fluids, continuous monitoring, or specific procedures is required, we will discuss a short hospital stay and transition your pet back home as soon as it is safe. If your pet normally requires sedation for any veterinary visits, please speak to your Primary Veterinarian about whether this appointment is right for your pet. Our doctor will not be performing a physical exam during this appointment and cannot prescribe sedation for your pet, should they need it. Many pets benefit from some form of sedation for this exam.
Bring recent medical records, a list of medications and supplements, your pet’s current diet details (brand and quantity), and any lab or imaging results. This information helps avoid duplicate testing and allows us to create a focused care plan. If your pet normally requires sedation for any veterinary visits, please speak to your Primary Veterinarian about whether this appointment is right for your pet. Our doctor will not be performing a physical exam during this appointment and cannot prescribe sedation for your pet, should they need it. Many pets benefit from some form of sedation for this exam.
Chronic disease management includes regular progress checks, lab work, imaging, and medication adjustments. The goal is to maintain stable control, minimize side effects, and provide the best possible quality of life. If your pet normally requires sedation for any veterinary visits, please speak to your Primary Veterinarian about whether this appointment is right for your pet. Our doctor will not be performing a physical exam during this appointment and cannot prescribe sedation for your pet, should they need it. Many pets benefit from some form of sedation for this exam.
Yes. Our dedicated internal medicine department provides advanced diagnostics and coordinated follow-up care under one roof, ensuring thorough evaluation and consistent communication with your primary veterinarian. If your pet normally requires sedation for any veterinary visits, please speak to your Primary Veterinarian about whether this appointment is right for your pet. Our doctor will not be performing a physical exam during this appointment and cannot prescribe sedation for your pet, should they need it. Many pets benefit from some form of sedation for this exam.
Some conditions can be diagnosed the same day, while others require lab results, imaging interpretation, or biopsy analysis. We explain timelines clearly and begin supportive care immediately when appropriate. If your pet normally requires sedation for any veterinary visits, please speak to your Primary Veterinarian about whether this appointment is right for your pet. Our doctor will not be performing a physical exam during this appointment and cannot prescribe sedation for your pet, should they need it. Many pets benefit from some form of sedation for this exam.
A referral is recommended if your pet has recurring or unexplained symptoms such as weight loss, chronic gastrointestinal issues, or increased thirst and urination. It is also appropriate when standard treatments are not working or a complex condition requires advanced testing and specialized management. If your pet normally requires sedation for any veterinary visits, please speak to your Primary Veterinarian about whether this appointment is right for your pet. Our doctor will not be performing a physical exam during this appointment and cannot prescribe sedation for your pet, should they need it. Many pets benefit from some form of sedation for this exam.