Dog & Cat HospitalCalabasas

Care

Internal Medicine

Board-certified internal medicine specialty care — in-depth workups for complex or undiagnosed conditions using in-house lab, digital radiography, ultrasound, CT, and endoscopy.

When a dog or cat has symptoms that don't resolve with standard treatment, a diagnosis that doesn't quite fit, or a condition involving multiple organ systems at once, internal medicine is the specialty that takes the deep dive. Dog & Cat Hospital Calabasas is home to Dr. Brian Norman, a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) and the hospital's founder. Dr. Norman's expertise covers the full breadth of small-animal internal medicine — endocrine disorders, gastrointestinal disease, respiratory conditions, kidney disease, immune-mediated conditions, and more — backed by an exceptional suite of on-site diagnostics. Most patients can complete their entire workup at one location without the stress of multiple referral centers.

What's Included

Internal medicine at our hospital encompasses specialty-level consultation and the full diagnostic capability to support it:

  • ACVIM specialty consultation — thorough history review, problem-oriented physical examination, and a systematic diagnostic plan
  • In-house laboratory — comprehensive blood panels, urinalysis, cytology, and specialized endocrine tests (cortisol, T4, bile acids, and others) with same-visit results on most
  • Digital radiography (X-ray) — high-resolution thoracic and abdominal imaging interpreted by the specialist on the same visit
  • Ultrasonography — abdominal organ evaluation, guided fine-needle aspirates, and thoracic assessment
  • CT scanning — cross-sectional imaging for complex thoracic, abdominal, or musculoskeletal disease
  • Endoscopy — upper and lower GI scope, bronchoscopy, and rhinoscopy for direct tissue visualization and biopsy
  • Chronic disease management — long-term monitoring and treatment adjustment for conditions such as CKD, diabetes, Cushing's disease, IBD, and pancreatitis

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What to Expect

An internal medicine consultation begins with a detailed review of your pet's full history — prior records, current medications, diet, timeline of symptoms — before the physical exam. Dr. Norman will discuss what he's found and walk you through a diagnostic plan that prioritizes the most informative tests, not the most tests. Because our imaging, lab, and endoscopy capabilities are all in-house, the workup often happens within a single visit or across a compact series of appointments. You'll receive a clear explanation of findings and a written summary for your records. Pets with chronic conditions are followed longitudinally, with monitoring intervals tailored to the disease and the individual.

Why Our Team

ACVIM board-certified internist on-site.

Dr. Brian Norman brings referral-level internal medicine to Calabasas — the same expertise available at university hospitals, without leaving the community.

Diagnostics under one roof.

In-house lab, digital X-ray, ultrasound, CT, and endoscopy mean fewer trips, less waiting, and faster answers for complex cases.

Integrated specialty team.

When internal medicine cases intersect with cardiology or surgery, our ACVIM cardiologist and ACVS surgeon are immediately accessible for collaborative consultation.

Chronic disease follow-through.

Complex conditions need ongoing management, not a one-time workup. Dr. Norman follows patients over time and adjusts treatment as the disease evolves.

Frequently Asked Questions

1What kind of conditions does a veterinary internal medicine specialist treat?
Veterinary internists specialize in conditions affecting internal organ systems — including kidney disease, liver disease, diabetes, Cushing's disease, Addison's disease, inflammatory bowel disease, pancreatitis, respiratory disorders, and immune-mediated diseases. They're also the specialty that takes on diagnostically challenging cases where the cause of illness isn't clear.
2Does my pet need a referral to see the internal medicine specialist?
No formal referral is required to schedule a consultation with Dr. Norman. If your regular veterinarian has recommended a specialist visit, we're happy to coordinate records and communicate findings back to them.
3My dog has been sick for weeks and no one can figure out what's wrong — can an internist help?
This is exactly the kind of case internal medicine is designed for. A systematic, problem-oriented approach — starting from the full history and available records — often reveals a pattern or diagnosis that gets missed when cases are worked up incrementally over time.
4What is endoscopy and will my pet need to be sedated?
Endoscopy is the use of a flexible fiber-optic camera to visualize the inside of the gastrointestinal tract, airways, or nasal passages. It requires general anesthesia so the patient is still, comfortable, and not at risk of injury from the scope. The procedure itself is minimally invasive and usually allows same-day discharge.
5My cat was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease by my regular vet — when should I see a specialist?
Cats with Stage 2 CKD or higher, those with complicating factors like hypertension or proteinuria, or those who are not responding well to standard management often benefit from a specialist consultation. An internist can help optimize the treatment plan and interpret subtle changes in lab values over time.
6How is a CT scan different from X-rays or ultrasound for pets?
CT (computed tomography) produces cross-sectional images that reveal structures in far more detail than standard radiographs, particularly for complex thoracic disease, nasal and sinus masses, lymph node changes, and surgical planning. It requires anesthesia or heavy sedation and is used when X-ray or ultrasound findings need further characterization.
7Can my pet's diabetes be managed by an internal medicine specialist?
Yes. Diabetic dogs and cats — especially those that are difficult to regulate or have complicating conditions — benefit from specialist management. Dr. Norman can help establish an initial insulin protocol, troubleshoot unstable regulation, and screen for the concurrent diseases (such as pancreatitis or hyperadrenocorticism) that make diabetes harder to control.
8Does my pet need to fast before an internal medicine consultation?
Fasting requirements depend on whether imaging or sedated procedures are anticipated. For a consultation visit alone, we'll advise you at the time of scheduling. If ultrasound or endoscopy is planned, fasting is generally required to ensure stomach contents don't interfere with imaging or anesthesia safety.

Related

ProceduresEndoscopyProceduresAbdominal UltrasoundConditionsChronic Kidney Disease

Get specialist-level answers for your pet

Schedule a consultation with our ACVIM internal medicine specialist and let us take the systematic approach your pet's case deserves.

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