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About Us

Internal Medicine is Our Specialty

At Small Animal Internal Medicine Teleconsultants, we don’t rotate through a roster of professionals or dabble in multiple specialties. We’re focused solely on internal medicine—and on supporting veterinarians with expert guidance, every step of the way.

Our service is led by Dr. Suzanne Benedict, a board-certified veterinary internist with extensive experience managing complex, chronic, and puzzling medical cases in dogs and cats. Her deep expertise in diagnostics, case management, and treatment planning equips primary care teams with the insight they need to deliver advanced care—right in their own practices.

Whether you need a second opinion, help navigating a difficult diagnosis, or a partner in long-term case management, Dr. Benedict provides thoughtful, thorough teleconsultation that empowers you to offer specialty-level care with confidence.

We Value and Support the Veterinarians We Serve

Our mission is simple: to elevate patient care while empowering veterinarians with the tools, insight, and support they need to confidently manage complex medical cases.

We understand that specialty medicine isn’t just about advanced diagnostics or expert protocols—it’s about trust, collaboration, and the relationships we build with our veterinary colleagues.

What We Offer

Expertise and Insight

We provide practical, thoughtful guidance rooted in clinical knowledge, responsive service, and high-touch communication—so you feel supported at every stage of a case.

Progressive Treatment Options

We stay deeply engaged in our specialty through lecturing, research, publications, and participation in professional communities including the ACVIM and other associations.

Commitment to Education

We mentor the next generation of animal health professionals and offer continuing education to local veterinary teams through webinars, workshops, and curated resources.

By focusing exclusively on internal medicine, we’re able to offer deeper expertise, more personalized support, and greater continuity of care than what’s typically available through broader teleconsulting platforms.

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Meet Dr. Suzanne Benedict, DVM, DACVIM (SAIM)

Founder, Small Animal Internal Medicine Teleconsultants

Dr. Benedict is a board-certified veterinary internist with a deep commitment to advancing patient care through strong collaboration with general practitioners. She founded Small Animal Internal Medicine Teleconsultants to bring specialty-level internal medicine support directly to the veterinary teams who need it—empowering them to manage complex cases in-house and provide the best possible outcomes for pets and their people.

A graduate of Western University of Health Sciences, Dr. Benedict earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree with honors in 2012. She then completed a one-year rotating internship at the Veterinary Specialty Hospital/UC Davis extension in San Diego, CA, where she honed her skills in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary environment.

Following her internship, Dr. Benedict worked in both general and emergency practice in Southern California, an experience that deeply shaped her understanding of frontline veterinary care. Her passion for solving complicated medical cases led her to pursue a residency in small animal internal medicine at Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine in Massachusetts—a rigorous three-year program that further solidified her clinical expertise.

After completing her residency, Dr. Benedict returned to San Diego, where she practiced internal medicine for five years before relocating back to the East Coast to be closer to family. 

Dr. Benedict’s diverse background—spanning specialty, emergency, and general practice—makes her a trusted partner for veterinarians seeking support in diagnosing and managing chronic, complicated, or unclear cases. Her teleconsulting services are grounded in collaboration, continuity, and compassion, with the goal of making high-quality specialty care more accessible.

Education & Training

  • DVM (with honors): Western University of Health Sciences

  • Rotating Internship: Veterinary Specialty Hospital / UC Davis Extension, San Diego, CA

  • Residency: Small Animal Internal Medicine, Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine

Professional Memberships & Licensure

  • Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM)

  • Member, American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)

  • Licensed in California and Massachusetts

  • Recipient, ACVIM Certificate of Clinical Excellence (2012)

Research, Presentations & Publications

  • Evaluation of Bexagliflozin in Cats with Poorly Regulated Diabetes Mellitus
    Published in the Canadian Journal of Veterinary Research (2022) 
    Read the Article Here
  • Atypical Hypoadrenocorticism: The Great Pretender
    Seaside Veterinary Forum, San Diego, CA (2018)
  • Portosystemic Shunts in Cats
    Varis Clinical Lecture Series, Tufts (2017)
  • Thyroid Storm in Cats
    Varis Clinical Lecture Series, Tufts (2016)
  • Diabetic Ketoacidosis: Approach to Diagnosis and Management
    Varis Clinical Lecture Series, Tufts (2016)
  • Persistent Clinical Signs in Dogs with Pituitary Dependent Hyperadrenocorticism Receiving Trilostane Therapy
    STARS Symposium, Western University (2010)

Outside of Work

When she’s not practicing medicine, Dr. Benedict enjoys yoga, traveling, running, and spending time with friends, family, and her two beloved pets—Dori and Jack—who are sure to make an appearance throughout this website.

Testimonials

I had the pleasure of working closely with Dr. Suzanne Benedict during her time as a general practitioner at Pine Animal Hospital. Even then, it was clear she had an exceptional mind for internal medicine—curious, methodical, and relentlessly dedicated to solving complex cases. Since completing her residency and becoming a board-certified specialist in Internal Medicine, I’ve continued to call on Suzie for guidance with my most challenging cases. For nearly a decade now, she has remained my go-to internal medicine consultant. Her insight is always thoughtful, evidence-based, and practical for the general practice or emergency setting. She brings the rare combination of deep specialty knowledge and real-world clinical sensibility. I trust her fully—not just with the care of my patients, but with the success of my team. Veterinarians in general practice or ER who partner with Suzie will quickly find that she makes their medicine better, their teams smarter, and their outcomes stronger. I cannot recommend her highly enough.
Steve Manyak, DVM Owner & Medical Director, Pine Animal HospitalLong Beach, CA, Board Member, California Veterinary Medical Board
Steve Manyak, DVM Owner & Medical Director, Pine Animal Hospital
Dr. Suzanne Benedict (yes, like the eggs!) is one of the kindest and most compassionate people I know. We’re incredibly fortunate that she chose veterinary medicine—especially internal medicine—where her expertise and empathy truly shine. She brings unwavering dedication to even the most complex cases, constantly striving to expand her knowledge and improve the lives of our pets—and, by extension, our own.
Katherine Blincoe, DVMEmergency Veterinarian
Katherine Blincoe, DVM
Dr. Suzanne Benedict has been and continues to be a cherished mentor while I have been undergoing my own training in veterinary medicine. Her unwavering commitment to her patients and dedication to always striving to give her best and the most up to date care and information possible, has inspired new generations of developing veterinarians and students to practice evidence-based medicine. She is kind, patient, approachable, and communicates very difficult topics and complex cases with such welcoming and insightful understanding. I continue to be excited to learn from her, and her encyclopedic knowledge.
Snighda Paul, DVM, DACVS
Snighda Paul, DVM, DACVS
Dr. Benedict consistently provided thoughtful, thorough case management and was always incredibly responsive and supportive. Her ability to clearly communicate complex internal medicine issues made collaborative care seamless and elevated the quality of treatment for every patient we shared.
Lourdes Elias, DVM
Lourdes Elias, DVM
I had the pleasure of working closely with Dr. Suzanne Benedict during her time as a general practitioner at Pine Animal Hospital. Even then, it was clear she had an exceptional mind for internal medicine—curious, methodical, and relentlessly dedicated to solving complex cases. Since completing her residency and becoming a board-certified specialist in Internal Medicine, I’ve continued to call on Suzie for guidance with my most challenging cases. For nearly a decade now, she has remained my go-to internal medicine consultant. Her insight is always thoughtful, evidence-based, and practical for the general practice or emergency setting. She brings the rare combination of deep specialty knowledge and real-world clinical sensibility. I trust her fully—not just with the care of my patients, but with the success of my team. Veterinarians in general practice or ER who partner with Suzie will quickly find that she makes their medicine better, their teams smarter, and their outcomes stronger. I cannot recommend her highly enough.
Steve Manyak, DVM Owner & Medical Director, Pine Animal Hospital

Long Beach, CA, Board Member, California Veterinary Medical Board
Steve Manyak, DVM Owner & Medical Director, Pine Animal Hospital<br><br>
Dr. Suzanne Benedict (yes, like the eggs!) is one of the kindest and most compassionate people I know. We’re incredibly fortunate that she chose veterinary medicine—especially internal medicine—where her expertise and empathy truly shine. She brings unwavering dedication to even the most complex cases, constantly striving to expand her knowledge and improve the lives of our pets—and, by extension, our own.
Katherine Blincoe, DVMEmergency Veterinarian
Katherine Blincoe, DVM
Dr. Suzanne Benedict has been and continues to be a cherished mentor while I have been undergoing my own training in veterinary medicine. Her unwavering commitment to her patients and dedication to always striving to give her best and the most up to date care and information possible, has inspired new generations of developing veterinarians and students to practice evidence-based medicine. She is kind, patient, approachable, and communicates very difficult topics and complex cases with such welcoming and insightful understanding. I continue to be excited to learn from her, and her encyclopedic knowledge.
Snighda Paul, DVM, DACVS
Snighda Paul, DVM, DACVS
Dr. Benedict consistently provided thoughtful, thorough case management and was always incredibly responsive and supportive. Her ability to clearly communicate complex internal medicine issues made collaborative care seamless and elevated the quality of treatment for every patient we shared.
Lourdes Elias, DVM
Lourdes Elias, DVM

Hours

By Appointment Only

Contact

619.929.8289

info@SAIMVetConsultants.com

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