The American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of animals and people through education, training and certification of specialists in veterinary internal medicine, discovery and dissemination of new medical knowledge, and increasing public awareness of advances in veterinary medical care. ACVIM is the international certifying organization for veterinary specialists in cardiology, large animal internal medicine, neurology, oncology and small animal internal medicine.
In 1973, ACVIM received probationary approval from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). ACVIM's Constitution and Bylaws were approved during the AVMA convention in Philadelphia that same year. Full recognition of ACVIM by the AVMA was achieved in 1980. ACVIM is overseen by a Board of Regents.
What is a Veterinary Specialist? How are they different from a primary care veterinarian?
In addition to completing undergraduate training and four years of veterinary school, Board-certified Veterinary Specialists are similar to their human medical counterparts in that they have completed an internship and residency in their specialized field (an additional three to five years training). In addition to this extensive training, a Board-certified Veterinary Specialist must pass rigorous examinations to achieve Board certification from ACVIM. ACVIM specialists bring a greater understanding in the area of internal medicine, cardiology, oncology or neurology, and have a greater knowledge of the unusual, the uncommon, or rare in both large and small animals.
What specialties are included in ACVIM?
Cardiologists focus on diagnosing and treating diseases of the heart and lungs. Learn More.
Large Animal Internists focus on treating diseases of the internal systems in horses, cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs. Learn More.
Neurologists focus on the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the nervous system, including the brain and spinal cord. Learn More.
Oncologists focus on diagnosing and managing cancer, no matter the location of the tumor. Learn More.
Small Animal Internists focus on treating diseases of the internal systems in dogs and cats. Where the diagnosis is known, an Internist may confirm the diagnosis and treatment, providing peace of mind. If a diagnosis is proving elusive or therapy is not proving effective, the Internist may be better able to find the diagnosis or adjust treatment plans to get the animal back to health. Learn More.
When should an animal owner request a referral to an ACVIM Board-certified Veterinary Specialist?
The animal's disease is uncommon, complicated, or undiagnosed after standard testing.
They would like an informed, neutral second opinion on your animal's condition.
The outcomes of the current treatments are not going well or as expected.
The animal requires a sophisticated procedure that is offered by a specialty hospital.
The animal can benefit from 24-hour monitoring provided by a referral hospital.
If you believe your animal would benefit from a visit to a Board-certified Veterinary Specialist, you are encouraged to work with your family veterinarian to complete a referral. You may also search our online database for a Specialist in your area.
ACVIM has more than 2,600 active members, called ACVIM Diplomates, who are Board-certified in one of five specialties. ACVIM Diplomates treat many different species, ranging from dogs and cats to horses and cattle.
What are the benefits of being an ACVIM Diplomate?
As an ACVIM member Diplomate, you're part of a group of dedicated veterinary specialists who seek the best in continuing education, play a key role in setting standards for the highest quality internal medicine education and provide expertise through volunteerism. Through access to other specialists in your field, continuing education, volunteer and leadership opportunities and much more, participating in ACVIM means being a leader in specialty medicine. Learn More.
How can I retrieve my login and/or password information for the ACVIM website?
Please contact ACVIM at acvim@acvim.org or call (303) 231-9933 (800) 245-9081 (USA and Canada).
How do I renew my ACVIM membership dues?
The dues year begins on October 1 each year. Our website allows you to pay your dues online, or print out an invoice for a faxed or mailed payment. Click here to renew your dues online.
How can I participate in a committee at ACVIM?
It's is never too early to begin volunteering with the ACVIM. We need your voice! Consider how you can lend your experience to help the ACVIM continue to fulfill its mission. There are many opportunities to volunteer and advance the veterinary specialty profession. Learn More.
Why are the ACE courses held at the Oquendo Center in Las Vegas?
Meeting rooms at the Oquendo Center are flexible in size to accommodate large and small groups, and a state-of-the-art surgery suite is available for hands-on labs. Easy access to Las Vegas from most airports and reasonable airfares make it an attractive destination for travelers all over the nation. Protocols for hands-on labs are reviewed and approved by the Institutional Animal Control and Use Committee (IACUC) under regulations set forth by the United States Department of Agriculture at the Oquendo Center. ACVIM’s Animal Use Policy is strictly enforced at the facility.
Be sure to check the individual course information when you register online for cancellation deadlines. If you must cancel your registration, you will need to notify ACVIM at (800) 245-9081 to receive a registration refund. No refunds will be given if you cancel your registration after the deadline. If ACVIM cancels a course for any unforeseen reason, you will be notified immediately via e-mail and will receive a full refund of your registration. Please note, however, that travel expenses incurred by you for the course will not be reimbursed should ACVIM cancel the course.
What meals are included during the course?
If you choose to stay at a group hotel, complimentary breakfast is included in your room rate. Lunches are included at the Oquendo Center during the course as well as complimentary coffee, sodas, bottled water, and snacks throughout each day. Please check the course schedule for the number of lunches provided for each course. Most courses offer a welcome reception the first night of the course at the Oquendo Center. Dinners are not included. Please note that there is no dinner service at the hotel; however, there are room service options at the hotel for the local eateries.
When you arrive at the Oquendo Center, you will pick up your registration packet, printed proceedings, and a tablet of paper for you to take notes if you wish. If the lecture is held in the auditorium, each seat is equipped with an electrical outlet and small seat table for a laptop.
Please dress comfortably – most attendees wear jeans or business casual. Remember to bring a jacket or sweater as the meeting rooms can get chilly.
ACE courses are developed for our Diplomates and Candidates only. Guests or children are not permitted to attend ACE courses.
How do I access the JVIM?
The Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine (JVIM) is an online, open access format. Articles submitted to the JVIM which are accepted for publication benefit from this open access model, taking readership to a global audience. All JVIM articles published from 1997 through present are immediately free to read, download and share. Access the JVIM.
Close your browser application and then reopen it.
Delete your browsing history and cookies from your website browser.
Get browser help using the Wiley InterScience Online Self Help tool.
How do I receive content alerts when new articles are published?
Sign up for content alerts on the ACVIM website.
Email the editorial office with the email address you want alerts delivered to and we will have publisher update the address.
Detailed information on permissions and reuse for authors and the public, is available on the JVIM Online website. All articles on the JVIM Online website have a “Request Permissions” link.
Where can I find guidelines for article submission?
Please read our author guidelines available at the following locations.
• ScholarOne Manuscripts. Under Instructions & Forms in upper right corner. There you will find Author Guidelines.
Our apologies. The system might be down for maintenance. Check the JVIM submission website for notices.
Contact the JVIM editorial office for help in resolving this issue.
Go to the JVIM submission website and use the “Password Help” function.
Once acceptance has been confirmed with publisher, the corresponding author will receive an email from Wiley Author Customer Service to register for Author Services (if you have not already done so) where you can track your article progress and make payment arrangements. You may then opt to pay directly by credit card or request an invoice/proforma be sent to your preferred billing address. Contact Wiley Author Customer Service at cs-author@wiley.com for more information.
Contact Wiley Author Customer Service for more information.
Is it possible to request a decision on a manuscript needed by a certain date?
We are unable to accelerate the review process. Our average time from submission to acceptance last year was 5.7 months.
Contact the JVIM editorial office with the requested date and reason for extension.
Contact the JVIM editorial office with the document/figure and we will upload/resolve issues for you.
Contact the JVIM editorial office and we will help with resolution of the situation.
How do I access ACVIM Consensus Statements?
Go to the Consensus Statement section of the JVIM Online website.
Where can I find Research Abstracts (current and past years)?
Research Abstracts are published in the ACVIM Forum Proceedings and in the JVIM. For Research Abstracts published in the JVIM, go to the JVIM Online website.
Where can I find Research Reports?
Research Reports are published in the ACVIM Forum Proceedings and in the JVIM from 2014 onwards. For Research Reports published in the JVIM, go to the JVIM Online website.
What is the word length requirement for submission of Research Abstracts?
How do I get a certificate for being a Research Abstract presenter?
We do not provide certificates for abstract presenters. We will create a letter explaining that your abstract was accepted and presented at the ACVIM Forum. Please contact us if you want this letter.
How can I access ACVIM Forum Proceedings?
Online Proceedings from 2002 through the current year are located on the Veterinary Information Network (VIN) website. For more information contact VIN at (800) 700-4636 (M-F 8:00 am-5:00 pm PT) or email VIN.
ACVIM Diplomate online access: Contact VIN to request a login ID and password.
ACVIM Forum attendee online access: You can only access the year you attended the ACVIM Forum. Contact VIN to request login ID and password for year you attended.
We might be able to locate individual notes if you send us the title and ACVIM Forum year.
Curran Associates has hard copies of Proceedings from 2009 to present. Contact Curran Associates for purchase information.
It’s likely that the presenter did not submit them. We can only give you contact information that is freely available to the public. If you can not find publicly available contact information please let us know as we may be able to provide a contact method to ask the speaker to contact you.
What is your policy on the re-use of Notes, Research Abstracts, and Research Reports?
You can print or copy the notes/research abstracts/research reports, or pass them along. You can not use them for commercial purposes without the consent of the author, or in the case of the research reports or research abstracts, permission from the publisher.