Board Certified Internal Medicine

Advanced Specialty Care for Complex Medical Conditions

When pets develop complicated or difficult-to-diagnose illnesses, they may need care beyond routine veterinary medicine. Our Board Certified Internal Medicine service provides advanced diagnostic expertise and specialized treatment for dogs and cats with complex medical conditions.

At Indian Creek Veterinary Hospital & Specialty Center, we work closely with your primary care veterinarian to provide comprehensive, collaborative care focused on improving your pet’s quality of life and long-term health.

Led by Yuri Lawrence, DVM, PhD, MS, MA, DACVIM (SAIM), our Board Certified Internal Medicine service offers advanced consultation, diagnostics, minimally invasive procedures, and evidence-based treatment plans for referred canine and feline patients.

What is Veterinary Internal Medicine?

Veterinary Internal Medicine focuses on diagnosing and treating diseases affecting the internal organs and body systems. Many conditions can be subtle, chronic, or difficult to diagnose without advanced training and specialized testing.

Internal Medicine specialists often evaluate pets experiencing:

Chronic vomiting or diarrhea
Weight loss or poor appetite
Liver disease
Kidney disease
Persistent coughing or breathing problems
Hormonal and endocrine disorders
Immune-mediated diseases
Unexplained fevers
Anemia or abnormal bloodwork
Urinary tract disorders
Complex or multi-system illnesses

Our goal is to identify the underlying cause of disease and develop a treatment plan tailored specifically to your pet.

What Is a
DACVIM (SAIM)?

DACVIM (SAIM) stands for Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine – Small Animal Internal Medicine.

This designation means Dr. Lawrence completed:

Veterinary school
Advanced internship training
A multi-year Internal Medicine residency
Extensive specialty examinations and board certification

Board-certified Internal Medicine specialists receive advanced training in diagnosing and managing complex medical diseases in dogs and cats. They also perform specialized diagnostic and minimally invasive procedures that are not commonly available in general practice.

How a Board Certified Internal Medicine Specialist Helps Your Pet

Internal Medicine specialists are often consulted when:

A diagnosis is unclear
Symptoms persist despite treatment
Advanced diagnostics are needed
A pet has multiple medical conditions
A disease requires long-term specialty management

Our service combines advanced diagnostics with a compassionate, individualized approach to patient care.

We work to provide:

Thorough case evaluations
Detailed diagnostic plans
Clear communication with pet owners
Collaboration with your family veterinarian
Long-term management strategies for chronic disease

Advanced Diagnostic & Specialty Services

Our Board Certified Internal Medicine department offers advanced diagnostic and interventional capabilities, including:

Diagnostic Services

Abdominal ultrasound
Advanced laboratory evaluation
Cytology and aspirates
Comprehensive endocrine testing
Blood pressure evaluation
Infectious disease testing

Minimally Invasive Procedures

Endoscopy
Bronchoscopy
Rhinoscopy
Ultrasound-guided procedures
Laparoscopic liver biopsy

Specialty Areas of Interest

Gastroenterology
Hepatology and liver disease
Endocrinology
Nephrology and urology
Immune-mediated disease
Hematology
Respiratory disease

Collaborative Referral-Based Care

Our Board Certified Internal Medicine service is referral-based for dogs and cats. We partner closely with your primary veterinarian throughout your pet’s care.

After evaluation and treatment recommendations are completed, your pet’s ongoing routine and wellness care remains with your family veterinarian. Together, we provide a coordinated approach focused on achieving the best possible outcome for your pet.

Meet Dr. Yuri Lawrence

Yuri Lawrence, DVM, PhD, MS, MA, DACVIM (SAIM)

Dr. Lawrence is a board-certified Small Animal Internal Medicine specialist with extensive academic and clinical experience in advanced veterinary medicine.

His background includes specialized expertise in complex medical disease, minimally invasive diagnostics, hepatology, and advanced case management. His PhD research at Texas A&M University focused on novel biomarkers and diagnostic approaches for chronic hepatitis.

Dr. Lawrence is passionate about providing compassionate specialty care while maintaining strong communication and collaboration with referring veterinarians and pet owners alike.