Veterinary Internal Medicine in Spokane, WA
At Pet Emergency Clinic, we provide advanced veterinary internal medicine in Spokane, WA, supporting pets with conditions that require specialized expertise and careful management. As part of our emergency-focused hospital, internal medicine plays a critical role in identifying and treating underlying health issues during urgent and critical situations.
Advanced Diagnostics & Complex Case Management
Internal medicine focuses on diagnosing and managing diseases that affect a pet’s internal systems. These conditions are often not immediately visible and may require advanced testing and evaluation.
A Veterinary Internal Medicine Specialist treats the following:
- Urinary and Kidney Disease (recurring UTI’s, kidney disease)
- Blood Disorders (anemia, coagulation disorders, thrombocytopenia)
- Endocrine Disorders (diabetes, Addison’s, Cushing’s disease)
- Respiratory Disorders (pneumonia, asthma)
- Infectious Disease (Tick borne disease, infections)
- Gastrointestinal Disease (IBS, liver disease, pancreatitis)
- Auto-immune Conditions (affecting Blood, joints, or organs)
- Chronic Upper Respiratory or Nasal Diseases (Fungal, infections, or inflammatory conditions)
- Urinary and Kidney Disease (recurring UTI’s, kidney disease)
- Blood Disorders (anemia, coagulation disorders, thrombocytopenia)
- Endocrine Disorders (diabetes, Addison’s, Cushing’s disease)
- Respiratory Disorders (pneumonia, asthma)
- Infectious Disease (Tick borne disease, infections)
- Gastrointestinal Disease (IBS, liver disease, pancreatitis)
- Auto-immune Conditions (affecting Blood, joints, or organs)
- Chronic Upper Respiratory or Nasal Diseases (Fungal, infections, or inflammatory conditions)
Using advanced diagnostics and clinical experience, we work to uncover the root cause of your pet’s condition and develop an effective treatment plan.
When Might My Pet Need an Internal Medicine Specialist?
Your pet’s primary doctor might refer them to us if they are experiencing any of the following symptoms:
- Diabetes or kidney disease requiring a specialist
- Abnormal blood work without a known diagnosis
- Regular vomiting, diarrhea, or unreasonable weight loss
- Abnormal breathing or coughing
- Persistent symptoms your primary veterinarian has trouble treating.
What An Internal Medicine Visit Looks Like…
Our board-certified specialist will begin by thoroughly examining your pet’s medical history with the help of your pet’s regular doctor and will perform a physical examination. They may recommend advanced diagnostics such as blood work, ultrasound, urinalysis, endoscopy, etc. When the specialist has reviewed those findings, they will meet with you to discuss your pet’s diagnosis and will communicate a clear plan of treatment.
Specialized Oncology & Internal Medicine Care
Facing a pet cancer diagnosis is tough, but you have dedicated expert support. Our service is headed by Dr. Whitney Nelson, DVM, DACVIM, a board-certified Internal Medicine Specialist.
As an internist, Dr. Nelson has completed advanced post-graduate residency training focused on diagnosing and managing complex internal diseases and cancers. Partnering directly with your family veterinarian, she uses specialized diagnostics and human-grade therapies to design tailored care plans that effectively target disease while preserving your pet’s day-to-day happiness.
Ready to Get Started with Internal Medicine?
- Discuss with Your Primary Veterinarian: Consult your family vet to determine if an internal medicine evaluation is right for your pet.
- Have Your Vet Submit a Referral: Ask your primary vet to complete and submit the Veterinarian Internal Medicine Referral Form on your behalf.
- Complete Your Owner Form: Once we receive your vet’s referral, we will send you a form to fill out and return.
- Finalize Appointment Setup: Returning your completed form finishes the setup process for your pet’s upcoming visit.
Internal Medicine team
Sarah Fick
DVM
Emergency and Critical Care & Internal Medicine
Dr. Fick provides care for pets with emergency medical needs as well as complex internal medicine conditions requiring advanced evaluation and treatment.
Jennifer Earnest
DVM
Emergency and Critical Care Veterinarian
Dr. Earnest is committed to supporting pets and their families through unexpected medical emergencies with professionalism and compassion.
Jennifer Bronk
DVM
Emergency and Critical Care Veterinarian
Dr. Bronk works closely with pet owners and veterinary teams to provide high-quality emergency medical care when it matters most.
Paige Bullard
DVM
Emergency and Critical Care Veterinarian
Dr. Bullard is dedicated to providing compassionate emergency care and helping pets receive prompt treatment during critical situations.
Maike Bachmann
DVM, DACVECC
Veterinary Specialist, Emergency and Critical Care
Dr. Bachmann is a board-certified specialist in Emergency and Critical Care, providing advanced expertise for pets experiencing urgent and life-threatening medical conditions.
Whitney Nelson
DVM, DACVIM
Veterinary Specialist, Internal Medicine
Dr. Whitney Nelson is a board-certified veterinary internal medicine specialist who has been part of the Pet Emergency Clinic team since 2015. She earned her undergraduate degree from Gonzaga University and her veterinary degree from Washington State University before completing a rotating internship at Cornell University and an internal medicine residency at Texas A&M University. After residency, she spent time in private practice in Connecticut before returning to Texas A&M to teach veterinary students and work in the teaching hospital.
Dr. Nelson enjoys the challenge of internal medicine and the opportunity to help pets and their families navigate complicated medical conditions. Outside of the hospital, she loves spending time with her husband, two daughters, and their pets. When she has some free time, you can often find her crocheting or simply enjoying time with her family.
Christine Marcellus
DVM
Urgent Care Veterinarian
Dr. Marcellus works closely with pet owners to provide quality urgent care services and support positive outcomes for patients.
Victoria Karshner
DVM
Urgent Care Veterinarian
Dr. Karshner is committed to providing attentive, compassionate care while helping pets recover from urgent medical concerns.
Daniel Bastian
DVM
Urgent Care Veterinarian
Dr. Bastian helps pets receive timely medical attention for non-life-threatening conditions that require prompt evaluation and care.
Claressa Salsbury
LVT, VTS
Claressa became an LVT in 2011 and obtained her VTS in Small Animal Internal Medicine in 2018. She has been with the Internal Medicine department at PEC since 2013. She currently also manages the blood bank. Claressa loves to spend time hiking and is active in local animal rescue organizations.
Maria Burton
VA
Maria brings years of veterinary experience, with a background in shelter medicine and animal welfare. As the Internal Medicine Coordinator, she combines her veterinary experience, organizational skills, and passion for animal care to support patients, clients, and the Internal Medicine team.
Kellyn Owens
LVT
Kellyn has been a licensed veterinary technician since 2013 and joined the Pet Emergency Clinic Internal Medicine team in 2015. She completed a yearlong rotating internship at the University of Tennessee, was a laboratory instructor for the College of Southern Idaho’s vet tech program and worked at Veterinary Surgical Specialists in Spokane. Kellyn strives to make our clients and patients comfortable whether it is their first visit, twentieth or last visit. Feeding tubes, joint taps, and foreign body removals are some of her favorite procedures. A native of the PNW, Kellyn enjoys being outside with her three dogs, trying to tire them out, and playing board games with friends and family.
Have Questions or Concerns? We’re Here to Help.
Navigating a complex health condition or a new diagnosis can feel overwhelming. If you have questions about our Internal Medicine services, the referral process, or preparing for an upcoming visit, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team.
Phone: (509) 326-7246
Hours: Monday – Friday: 8 AM – 5 PM
Please note: Internal Medicine appointments are by referral only. For pet emergencies, please contact our emergency department.