More Pediatricians are Expanding Into Primary Animal Care

Itasca, IL - Drawing on their years of intense academic and clinical experience, more pediatricians are expanding into acute animal care and, in some cases, serving as primary animal care providers for a wide variety of species in addition to human children.

A certified veterinary pediatrician, shown here treating a dog (Albus Dumbledog) and a child (Lance Dumbledog) with strep throat and canine distemper virus

"Pediatric education and training is equivalent to veterinary school," veterinary pediatrician Mort Fishman explained. "Both tracks require extensive study in foundational sciences like anatomy, physiology, and pathology, and the number of classroom hours are roughly the same. And animals have many of the same organs and body parts as children."

Practitioners in the burgeoning field claim to help young animals achieve maximum wellness through the power of pediatrics, which is a holistic approach to health that involves a variety of proven treatment modalities. According to Fishman, who completed the International Veterinary Pediatric Association (IVPA) Diplomate Program last year, this is the natural culmination of a journey that began many years ago. "Through research, education, collaboration, and clinical application, I am taking the work of pediatric medicine beyond outdated boundaries, which helps to shape the future of the profession and the human children, pets, and farm animals that it serves for future generations."

A golden retriever (Duchess Margaret of Wetbottom), shown here watching an iPad, who was found to have severe speech and language delay by Dr. Fishman

Pediatricians that choose to go through the rigorous IVPA program, or who obtain a certification from the American Pediatric Association's Division of Animal Health, practice at the highest level and actively contribute to advancing the field, which is increasingly important to families with human children and animals. Cindra Lewith, a mother of two humans and a Latvian river skink, certainly thinks so. "When I learned that Dr. Fishman attended all 4 weekend sessions on animal health, passed an online exam, and published a case report on the negative impact of screen time on language acquisition in a Welsh Corgi puppy, I knew that I could trust him with my two boys, and my skink."