Disclaimer: The information contained on this web site is meant to be used as a general guide for the services Ocean State Veterinary Specialists.
Ocean State Veterinary Specialists reserves the right to change services,staff and information represented on this web site without notice.  In
case of an emergency involving your pet, consult a veterinary professional for recommendations specific to your pet’s condition immediately.

Internal Medicine

Gary Block DVM, MS, DACVIM

Evaluation and treatment of hormonal conditions such as diabetes, Cushing's
disease, and hyperthyroidism

Evaluation and treatment of infectious conditions such as tick-borne disease,
urinary tract infections and viral infections

Evaluation and treatment of diseases of the liver, kidney, and nervous
system

Evaluation and treatment of blood and bone marrow disorders

Evaluation and treatment of gastrointestinal disease (vomiting,
diarrhea, weight loss, anorexia)

Evaluation and treatment of respiratory conditions (chronic cough, asthma,
pnumonia, collapsing trachea, laryngeal disease

In addition to completing undergraduate training and four years of veterinary
school, Board-certified Veterinary Specialists are similar to their human medical
counterparts in that they have completed an internship and residency in their
specialized field (an additional 3-5 years training). In addition to this extensive
training, a Board-certified Veterinary Specialist must pass rigorous examinations
to achieve Board certification from the American College of Veterinary Internal
Medicine (ACVIM).
Specialists see cases on referral
from general practitioners that are
unusual, atypical or difficult to
diagnose. Internists are specially
trained to use minimally invasive
procedures such as endoscopy of
the gastrointestinal, respiratory and
urinary tract.  The recent addition
of laparoscopy equipment allows the
internists to perform some minor
surgeries as well as biopsies of the
chest cavity or abdominal organs without having to perform major surgery.
Internists utilize specialized diagnostics such as CT scan, x-rays, ultrasound and
MRI and perform often extensive laboratory testing to diagnose the most complex
medical problems. Internists work closely with your regular veterinarian so that
follow-up and long- term case management of your pet are well coordinated. 

Benjamin G. Nolan DVM, Ph.D., DACVIM

American College
of Veterinary Internal
Medicine