The Internal Medicine Service provides advanced care for dogs and cats with complex medical conditions affecting the gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, urinary system, respiratory system, endocrine system, immune system, or multiple body systems. Our board-certified faculty work closely with residents, interns, veterinary technicians, and fourth-year veterinary students to evaluate each patient and develop an individualized diagnostic and treatment plan.
Staff
Board-certified internists: Drs. Al Jergens, Erin McQuinn, Jean-Sebastien Palerme and Laura Van Vertloo
Residents: Drs. Zack Bieberly, Betsy Chisler, Sarena Krojanker, Paite Yoder and Karin de Wit
Technician: Amy Hodnefield, Jodi Kincaid and Kiersten Rottink
Clerk: Erin Berger
Services Provided
At the Hixson-Lied Small Animal Hospital, the Internal Medicine Service diagnose and treat a diverse array of diseases that impact cats and dogs. These include conditions affecting the hematologic and endocrine systems, as well as ailments targeting the intestinal, urinary and respiratory tracts.
The Internal Medicine team works together with other specialized services in the Hixson-Lied Small Animal Hospital to provide optimal care for their patients.
Because of the intricate nature of many conditions seen by the Internal Medicine team, it is common for patients to require hospitalization during the diagnostic and treatment processes.
Minimally invasive procedures offered by the Internal Medicine Service include diagnostic endoscopy, urethral stenting, ureteral stenting, laser ablation of ectopic ureters, laser lithotripsy and tracheal stenting.
Making an Appointment
New appointments are available Monday through Thursday, while rechecks are offered every weekday morning. To schedule an appointment with Internal Medicine please call 515.294.4900.
Blood Donors
A critical part of the Internal Medicine Service is the Companion Animal Blood Bank which provides blood products as needed for canine and feline patients in the Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center patients. Blood transfusions are commonly required by emergency/trauma patients, patients that require pre- or peri-operative surgical stabilization, patients that have exposure to poisons, and anemic patients with acute or chronic diseases.
May 2026