INTERNAL MEDICINE
Like people, animals can develop a variety of illnesses requiring
the skilled expertise of a knowledgeable, board-certified internal
medicine specialist. The Internal Medicine Service at Michigan
Veterinary Specialists is comprised of a team of internists and
technicians who are leaders in their field in the diagnosis and
treatment of diseases of the cardiac, respiratory, gastrointestinal,
urogenital, endocrine and hematologic systems. The service provides
24/7 care for patients requiring hospitalization with a combined
staff of board-certified veterinarians, emergency service veterinarians,
licensed veterinary technicians and veterinary assistants.
The Internal Medicine team works closely with your family veterinarian
to diagnose perplexing problems, then establish a specific diagnosis
and treatment plan. In addition, our entire team of specialists
in various disciplines routinely collaborates on challenging cases
to ensure the most comprehensive care.
MVS provides abdominal ultrasounds for liver, gall bladder, spleen,
kidney, pancreatic and bladder problems; endoscopic procedures
involving the lungs, stomach, small intestine, colon and nose;
and treatment for endocrine problems such as diabetes mellitus,
Cushing's disease, Addison's disease and hyperthyroidism.
INTERNAL MEDICINE ULTRASOUND
Abdominal ultrasound appointments are available Monday through
Friday on an outpatient basis. Procedures requiring anesthesia
will be scheduled separately from the appointment. Animals scheduled
for ultrasound, except diabetics, should be fasted for 12 hours
before their appointment.
A full exam will be done with each ultrasound and will include
interpretation of the ultrasound. Ultrasounds are not available
without an exam and cannot be done on lungs, esophagus and bones.
The Michigan Veterinary Specialists Imaging Center has specialized
helical scanning and CT for these procedures.
WARNING SIGNS
Contact your veterinarian if you notice some
of these warning signs of internal organ disease:
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Fever
- Anemia
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Coughing
- Chronic nasal discharge
- Unexplained bleeding
INTERNAL MEDICINE SERVICES
- Abdominal ultrasound
- Ultrasound guided biopsies
- Gastroscopy
- Colonoscopy
- Bronchoscopy
- Transtracheal wash
- Rhinoscopy
- Feeding tube placement
- CT scans
- Radioactive iodine for hyperthyroid cats
- Cystoscopy
CLIENT EDUCATION ARTICLES |
INTERNISTS
Dr. Lauren Boyd |
|
- Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal
Medicine (Board Certified in Internal Medicine)
- Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree (DVM): The Ohio
State University
- Internship: Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center,
Connecticut
- Residency: The Animal Medical Center of New York
|
| Not being able to imagine doing anything else,
Dr. Boyd always wanted to be a veterinarian. She’s originally
from Northwest Ohio and previously was an equine riding instructor.
She now lives in Bloomfield Hills with her husband and Jack
Russell Terrier. On her days off, she enjoys reading, cooking
and horseback riding. |
Dr. Marc Elie |
|
- Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal
Medicine (Board Certified in Internal Medicine)
- Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree (DVM): Michigan
State University
- Residency: University of Pennsylvania
- Areas of Interest: Endocrinology, infectious diseases,
gastroenterology
|
| A native Michigander, Dr. Elie
has traveled professionally throughout the Midwest and Eastern
states. Both Dr. Elie and his brother are internists. While
his brother decided to pursue human medicine, Dr. Elie followed
his dream of working with animals. In his off time, Dr.
Elie is an arts advocate and shares his home with a Fox
Terrier named George. |
Dr. Ned F. Kuehn |
|
- Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal
Medicine (Board Certified in Small Animal Internal Medicine)
- Albion College, B.A. (Phi Beta Kappa)
- Purdue University, M.S.
- Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree (DVM): Michigan
State University
- Internship: Louisiana State University
- Residency: Purdue University
- Areas of Interest: Gastroenterology, liver diseases,
respiratory diseases, and feline kidney transplants
|
| Born in Corona, California,
Dr. Kuehn's family relocated to Michigan where he spent
most of his childhood. While attending Michigan State University
Veterinary College, Dr. Kuehn studied pharmacology and medicine.
When one of his professors encouraged the young doctor to
seek an internship, Dr. Kuehn followed the advice and chose
internal medicine as his area of specialty. An avid bird
watcher, Dr. Kuehn's furry family consists of a flat-coated
retriever and mixed kitty. |
Dr. Kristopher Sharpe |
|
- Diplomate of the American Veterinary College of Internal
Medicine (Board Certified in Small Animal Internal Medicine)
- Oakland University, BS
- Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree (DVM): Michigan
State University
- Internship: Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center,
CT
- Residency: Cornell University Hospital for Animals,
NY
- Special Interests: Immune-mediated diseases, liver disease
and endocrinology
|
| After working as a teenager
in a Royal Oak veterinary clinic, Dr. Kristopher Sharpe
became interested in veterinary medicine, but didn’t
make his final decision on a veterinary career until college.
When not working in his chosen field, Dr. Sharpe enjoys
running, fly fishing, and hiking with his wife and dogs—Owen,
a black Lab, and a Suey, Jack Russell Terrier. His two cats
– Gracie and Calvin – are happy to stay home
and watch over the house. |
Dr. Jenna Ashton |
|
- Practice Limited to Internal Medicine
- Franklin & Marshall College, BA
- University of Florida, MS
- Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree (DVM): University
of Florida
- Internship: Animal Hospital Center, CO
- Residency: Michigan Veterinary Specialists
- Special Interests: Endocrinopathies and caring for intensely
critical patients
|
| Dr. Jenna Ashton, originally
from Pennsylvania, set her sights on being a veterinarian
at a young age and never wavered from her youthful career
decision. Her passion has always been helping those who
don’t have a voice and can’t help themselves.
Now living in Ferndale, Dr. Ashton enjoys hiking and camping
with her dog Newton and relaxing with her kitties Taloulah
and Remi. |
Dr. James Whitehead
|
 |
- Mississippi State University, BS
- Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree (DVM): Mississippi
State University
- Rotating Internship: Mississippi State
University
- Specialty Internship: Medvet, Memphis, TN
- Residency:
Michigan Veterinary Specialists
- Special Interests: Immune-mediated
diseases, endocrine diseases and gastrointestinal diseases
|
|
Finding daily motivation in the opportunities
he has to manage challenging internal medicine cases with
the goal of improving and extending his patients’ quality
of life, Dr. Whitehead feels right at home with the MVS
Internal Medicine team. Originally from Mississippi, Dr.
Whitehead and his family now live in Royal Oak. An avid
college football fan, he also enjoys golfing and spending
time with his rescued pets – Rusty, a Border Collie;
Thumper, a mixed breed dog; and housecat Boomer.
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