Available Exclusively at Our Clarendon Location
We’re proud to offer advanced Internal Medicine services—exclusively at our sister hospital Caring Hands Animal Hospital of Clarendon—with Dr. Sarah Dowling, DVM, DACVIM (SAIM), a full-time, board-certified Small Animal Internal Medicine Specialist.
Advanced Internal Medicine Procedures Offered EXCLUSIVELY at Clarendon
Dr. Dowling offers a range of specialty diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, including:
- Diagnostic ultrasounds (abdominal, non-cardiac thoracic, cervical)
- Ultrasound-guided needle aspirates and core biopsies
- Endoscopy of the gastrointestinal, urinary, and respiratory tracts
- Joint taps for evaluating multi-limb lameness and effusion
- Endoscopic foreign body retrieval (gastric, esophageal, nasal, tracheal)
- Diabetic consultation and glycemic control management
- Feeding tube placement
Referral-Based Specialty Care
Internal Medicine services are only available at our sister location, Clarendon hospital and require a referral from your pet’s primary care veterinarian. These services are designed to support complex diagnostic and treatment needs beyond general practice.
All medical records and updates are shared directly with your pet’s referring veterinarian. Please note: we do not provide primary care services (vaccines, etc.) through Internal Medicine.
To help ensure a low-stress visit, Dr. Dowling and the Internal Medicine team utilize Fear Free techniques, including pre-visit calming medications and, if needed, gentle injectable sedation for patient comfort and safety.
What to Expect
Each Internal Medicine referral includes:
- Six months of direct follow-up between the referring veterinarian and Dr. Dowling
- Full record review of historical lab work, previous specialty care, and primary care visits.
- Comprehensive physical examination
- Direct consultation between owners and Dr. Dowling about your pet’s medical concerns and the findings from the Internal Medicine work up that is completed
Important Information About Imaging and Referrals
Please note that abdominal ultrasounds are required prior to any intestinal or urinary endoscopy procedures. Dr. Dowling will carefully review any previously performed imaging but may recommend rechecking ultrasound with her at the time of consultation if needed.
For airway-related cases, additional imaging (such as CT or radiographs) may also be recommended on a case-by-case basis by Dr. Dowling.
To refer a patient to our Clarendon Internal Medicine department, simply complete the referral form linked below. Once services are confirmed, our Clarendon team will contact the client directly to schedule the appointment.
NOTE: Referral forms must be filled out by the referring veterinarian, at this time we are a referral only service.
Referral Form
Please note: This is an outpatient-only and referral-only Internal Medicine service provided solely at our Clarendon location. Patients requiring after-hours care or hospitalization should be referred to a full-service, 24-hour specialty or emergency facility, or will require transport at the close of business.
Internal Medicine department hours of operation:
Monday-Thursday 7:30 am to 6 pm
Friday 8 am to 4 pm (no appointments)
Dr. Dowling sees patients Monday through Thursday.
New Furry Faces Welcome! Enjoy $50 OFF Your First Exam*
*Valid for new clients on the 1st exam only. Cannot be combined with other discounts. Please call with questions.
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703.368.7300