What is a Veterinary Specialist?

A veterinary specialist is a veterinarian that has continued his or her training beyond the four years of veterinary school required to receive a DVM degree. Specialists have often completed a year-long internship following veterinary school and have always completed further training during a residency in their area of specialty. After completing a residency, a specialist must submit detailed credentials to an evaluating committee in their specialty and then pass one or more intensive examinations. This extra training and testing allows a specialist to become a diplomate (board certified) in the specialty college. Some examples of specialty colleges include:

• American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM)
  Subspecialties:
      - Small Animal Internal Medicine
      - Cardiology
      - Oncology
      - Neurology
• American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS)
• American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ACVO)
• American College of Veterinary Radiology (ACVR)
• Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society (VECCS)

Board-certified specialists are available to assist your veterinarian in the diagnosis and treatment of your pet. Your family veterinarian has had a wonderful education and serves as a primary care doctor for your pets. Sometimes, just as your primary care physician may refer you to a specialist, your veterinarian may request assistance in the diagnosis or therapy options for your pet. This is where a specialist may be valuable.

How can a Board-certified specialist be valuable to me and my pet?

Due to the increasing demands of clients seeking the latest and best medical intervention for their pets, specialists serve as a very valuable resource. Technology changes so rapidly these days that it is difficult to stay current with every subject surrounding veterinary medicine. Board-certified specialists are focused on the area of specialty they have studied such as internal medicine, surgery, cardiology, critical care, radiology, or ophthalmology. They have been specially trained in advanced diagnostics as well as more difficult treatments. Specialists may also have certain equipment available that makes diagnosing or treating a problem much more efficient. They are able to concentrate their efforts on a certain branch of veterinary medicine and become the expert. A specialist's knowledge of the problem may help the owner to better understand the treatment or diagnosis of their pet. Receiving specialized care at the suggestion of your veterinarian sends a clear message that they want what is best for your pet.