A Day in the Life of a Veterinary Small Animal Internal Medicine Specialist

by Jessica Larson, DVM, DACVIM (SAIM)

Oct 17, 2024

Imagine being a detective, but instead of solving crimes, you're diagnosing and treating sick

animals. That's the life of a Board-Certified Small Animal Internal Medicine (SAIM) specialist. They're part of a

team in the veterinary world, specializing in the inner workings of animals and their diseases.

A SAIM specialist's day often starts early, as they review patient charts and prepare for the day ahead.

They will consult with other veterinarians about complex cases or discuss treatment plans with

pet owners. For example, the day’s patients may include a dog with chronic kidney disease, a

cat with a mysterious gastrointestinal issue, and a puppy with recurrent respiratory infections.

The day is filled with a variety of tasks, including:

● Consultations: Meeting with pet owners to discuss their pet's health concerns and to spend

time with each family to educate about the disease condition and answer questions.

● Exams: Physically examining animals to identify signs of illness or disease.

● Diagnostics: Ordering and interpreting tests like blood work, X-rays, and ultrasounds to

diagnose conditions.

● Treatments: Determining which medications to use and recommending therapies.

● Procedures: A doctor may perform advanced testing including endoscopy, which is a long

thin camera with a light at the end to look inside the body, along with other specialized tests.

While clinical work is a significant part of a specialist's life, they also play important roles in other

areas:

● Industry: Working for pharmaceutical (businesses that create and make the actual pills and

vaccines) or pet food companies to develop new medicines, foods, medical tools and other

advanced equipment.

● University: Teaching veterinary students and conducting research to advance the field of

veterinary medicine.

● Private Sector: Working with animal shelters, zoos or government agencies on animal health

problems, taking on leadership positions in companies, or working in jobs around the world.

● Consulting: Offering expert advice to other veterinarians or pet owners.

● Education: Providing continual learning classes for veterinarians to keep them up-to-date on

the latest medical advancements.

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