Internal Medicine
 The Internal Medicine department at Veterinary Specialty Hospital is staffed with four board-certified specialists in internal medicine, focusing on the diagnosis and treatment of diseases in gastrointestinal, urogenital, endocrine, cardiac, respiratory, and hematologic systems. VSH is one of the nation’s pioneering sites for non-invasive scoping procedures in dogs and cats. Members of our staff have authored several publications and textbook chapters in the area of endoscopy.
The internal medicine staff prides itself on professional leadership, intensive diagnostics, state-of-the-art equipment, exceptional patient care, and a team approach. Our team approach is to emphasize active collaboration within the department and with other specialty services on a comprehensive plan for diagnosis and treatment. We believe that a strong mix of compassion and competence enhances service to our clients and their pets.
The Internal Medicine department is well-equipped with five flexible endoscopes having high-resolution video and three rigid scopes for laparoscopy and thoracoscopy. A state-of-the-art, high-resolution ultrasound machine is routinely used to perform abdominal and cardiac imaging, along with non-invasive biopsy and aspiration procedures. Also, a high-resolution digital fluoroscopy system enables procedures such as pacemaker placement, angiography, gastrointestinal/esophageal motility evaluation.
Veterinary Specialty Hospital has an active relationship with the UC Davis Nephrology team and we can offer patients in need of these services the highest quality care. Find out how to make an appointment.
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Internal Medicine Services and Procedures
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- 24 hour monitoring by veterinarians and technicians
- Laparoscopy with high-resolution video
- Thoracoscopy
- Hemodynamic monitoring
- Ultrasonography
- Electrocardiology
- Endoscopy with high-resolution video
- Non-invasive Biopsy and Aspiration
- Fluoroscopy
- Angiography
- Gastrointestinal/ esophageal motility evaluation
- Telemetry cardiac monitoring
- Blood pressure monitoring
- Pulse oximetry monitoring
- Fluid therapy infusion pumps
- Blood and plasma transfusion
- Ventilatory support
- Intensive care oxygen therapy
- Pacemaker placement
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Internal Medicine Form
Internal Medicine Services (printable)
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Keith Richter, DVM, DACVIM
John Hart, DVM, DACVIM
Steve Hill, DVM, DACVIM
Jennifer DeBerry, DVM, ACVIM
Andrea Sotirakopoulos, BVSc, MS
Katharine Arnell, DVM, Resident
Keith Richter, DVM, DACVIM
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 Board Certified Specialist In Veterinary Internal Medicine Dr. Keith Richter is a graduate of Cornell University, New York State College of Veterinary Medicine. He completed his internship at the California Animal Hospital in Los Angeles and his Internal Medicine residency at the University of California, Davis. For three years, Dr. Richter served on the Internal Medicine staff Angell Memorial Animal Hospital in Boston and as Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Richter has been hospital director of the Veterinary Specialty Hospital since 1990 and more recently has been a professor at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University where he commuted back and forth to San Diego from 2001-2003.
A Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Dr. Richter’s specials interests include gastroenterology, liver disease, oncology, and autoimmune disease. Dr. Richter is nationally recognized for his skill in all endoscopic techniques including gastroduodenoscopy, colonoscopy, and bronchoscopy. In addition, he has been a pioneer in veterinary thoracoscopy and laparoscopy. He is also proficient in ultrasonography and percutaneous biopsy techniques.
Dr. Richter has authored several scientific articles and textbook chapters and lectures frequently at local, national and international scientific meetings as well as many veterinary colleges around the country. He has also collaborated with gastroenterology programs at the Boston University School of Medicine, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, UCSD Medical Center and Scripps Memorial Hospital. Dr. Richter has had the distinction of being on the Board of Regents of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, has served on their examination and credential committees, and has served on their Foundation Board.
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John Hart, DVM, DACVIM
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 A Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Dr. Hart is interested in all aspects of internal medicine, particularly gastroenterology, hematology, respiratory medicine and oncology. He is skilled in tracheobronchoscopy, gastroduodenoscopy and laparoscopy. In addition he is adept at cardiac and abdominal ultrasonography, balloon dilation and percutaneous biopsy techniques. Dr. Hart’s expertise also includes interpretation of special studies such as fluoroscopy and contrast radiology.
Dr. John Hart received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Auburn University, College of Veterinary Medicine in 1988. In 1989, he completed a one-year internship at the Animal Medical Center in New York City, and stayed to complete a two-year residency in Internal Medicine. He remained at the Animal Medical Center as a Staff Internist and Service Chief for three years.
Dr. Hart joined the staff of the Veterinary Specialty Hospital in the fall of 1994.Dr. Hart has published scientific articles dealing with Internal Medicine and has collaborated in several clinical studies with researchers across the country. He lectures frequently to veterinarians both nationally and internationally, and participated with his dog, Amber, in human-animal bond activities.
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Steve Hill, DVM, MS, DACVIM
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 A Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Dr. Steven Hill has broad clinical interests in all aspects of veterinary internal medicine. His special interests are immune-mediated diseases, infectious diseases, oncology and gastroenterology. While at Colorado State University, Dr. Hill’s clinical research focused on infectious and zoonotic diseases. In addition, Dr. Hill has collaborated and received additional training with human infectious disease, gastrointestinal and oncologic specialists.
Dr. Hill is a 1991 graduate of Colorado State University, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. He completed his internship at the San Diego Veterinary Referral Hospital in 1992 and his Internal Medicine residency and masters degree in clinical sciences at Colorado State University in 1995.
Dr. Hill is skilled in all endoscopic procedures including upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, colonoscopy, bronchoscopy, rhinoscopy, cystoscopy, laparoscopy and thoracoscopy. He is also proficient in ultrasound (abdominal and cardiac), fluoroscopy, and percutaneous biopsy procedures.
Dr. Hill has authored several scientific articles and textbook chapters and lectures at scientific meetings. He joined the staff of the Veterinary Specialty Hospital in 1995.
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Jennifer DeBerry, DVM, DACVIM
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 A Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Dr. Jennifer DeBerry has extensive clinical interests in all aspects of veterinary internal medicine. Her special interests include nephrology, endocrinology, and feline medicine. She is skilled in endoscopic procedures such as gastroduodenoscopy, colonoscopy, tracheobronchoscopy, rhinoscopy, cystoscopy, and vaginoscopy. She is also proficient in ultrasonography and ultrasound-guided biopsies. In addition, she is trained in performing and interpreting cytologic, fluoroscopic, and urodynamic studies.
Dr. DeBerry obtained her DVM from the University of California, Davis. She then completed an internship in general medicine and surgery here at the Veterinary Specialty Hospital. Following her internship, Dr. DeBerry returned to UC Davis, where she completed her residency in Small Animal Internal Medicine. While at UC Davis, Dr. DeBerry actively participated in the training of pre-clinical and fourth year veterinary students. She is active in ongoing research in the areas of feline diabetes mellitus and feline nutrition. Dr. DeBerry has also authored several scientific journal articles.
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*Andrea Sotirakopoulos, BVSc, MS
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 Dr. Andrea Sotirakopoulos has broad clinical interests in all aspects of veterinary internal medicine. Her special interests are gastroenterology, liver disease and cystoscopy for lower urinary tract evaluation. While at the University of Minnesota, Dr. Sotirakopoulos’ clinical research focused on diagnosis and management of transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder.
Dr. Sotirakopoulos holds a BSc. (Hons) in Biomedical Toxicology from the University of Guelph. She is a 2002 graduate of the University of Melbourne, College of Veterinary Science. Dr. Sotirakopoulos completed a small animal internship at Louisiana State University in 2003 and a three year residency in Internal Medicine from the University of Minnesota. She also received her Master of Veterinary Science degree from the University of Minnesota in 2007.
Dr. Sotirakopoulos is skilled in all endoscopic procedures including upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, colonoscopy, bronchoscopy, rhinoscopy, cystoscopy and vaginoscopy.Dr. Sotirakopoulos has presented her clinical studies at the forum of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine and has received several awards for her research.
She has authored scientific articles and is active in ongoing research in the areas of canine transitional cell carcinoma and genetic predisposition to this disease.
*Practice Limited to Internal Medicine
Katharine Arnell, DVM
Resident in Internal Medicine
Dr. Katharine Arnell received her DVM from University of California, Davis in 2006 and completed an internship at Veterinary Specialty Hospital in 2007. Dr. Arnell is the first resident in the newly formed program, which began in October, 2007.
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