BluePearl Pet Hospital
Tampa, FL
Internal Medicine

24/7 Emergency and Specialty
Emergency:
24/7
Specialty:
Call for appointment

Pet internal medicine by BluePearl.

Solving the puzzle to help your pet live a longer and better life.

We understand that seeing your pet experience unusual symptoms or act out of the ordinary can be stressful – especially if you don’t know what’s wrong. Fortunately, our veterinary internal medicine team is made up of experts in diagnosing and treating diseases of your pet’s various body systems, and we’re here to help. 

Our commitment is not just to treat illnesses; it’s to enhance the well-being of your pet and be with you every step of the way.

A vet specialist holds a small grey puppy wearing a cone on an exam table.

Conditions we treat.

A BluePearl anesthesiology and pain management vet prepares to fix an anesthetic facemask on a yellow lab while a vet tech helps hold the dog on the exam table.

If your pet has an acute or chronic condition, you’ll have an entire internal medicine team helping to improve your pet’s quality of life so you can get back to what matters most – spending precious moments together.

  • Respiratory diseases like asthma in cats or bronchitis in dogs
  • Autoimmune diseases such as lupus or Addison’s disease
  • Gastrointestinal diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease or pancreatitis
  • Liver diseases like hepatic lipidosis or cirrhosis
  • Kidney diseases such as chronic urinary infection or renal failure
  • Endocrine diseases, including Cushing’s disease or diabetes mellitus
  • Hematologic diseases like hemolytic anemia or thrombocytopenia
  • Infectious diseases such as leptospirosis or blastomycosis

Services we offer.

Your pet will receive unparalleled medical care during their time at the hospital (and they’ll be spoiled with love and attention, too).

Advanced diagnostics

Your pet can’t tell us what’s wrong, so we use sophisticated diagnostics and imaging tools to uncover the source of the problem.

  • Blood/urine testing
  • Radiography (x-rays) 
  • Ultrasound
  • Endoscopy
  • Biopsies

Treatment plans

Just as no two patients are the same, neither are their treatment plans. Our internal medicine team has experience with a range of advanced procedures and minimally invasive options to get your pet on the path to wellness, including:

  • Medication 
  • Nutritional support 
  • A variety of surgical options

Our board certified specialists and internal medicine team.

Experience makes all the difference. 

Our internal medicine team is made up of veterinarians, vet technicians and assistants, and support staff with rigorous training and experience in specialty medicine. The team works hand in hand to provide the comprehensive, compassionate care your pet needs and deserves. Because we’re a multidisciplinary hospital, the team can consult the expertise of other specialty departments, too.

Cristina Aponte

DVM
Resident

Internal Medicine
On the job

Dr. Cristina Aponte is an internal medicine resident. She finds gastrointestinal and renal conditions the most gratifying to treat.

Education
  • Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, Red Bank Veterinary Hospital, NJ
  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames
  • Bachelor of Science, Biology, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan
Off duty

Dr. Aponte enjoys yoga and wine tasting. She has two perfect Yorkies, Lana and Mateo.

Tony Blanco

DVM
Education
  • Residency, Small Animal Internal Medicine, BluePearl Pet Hospital, Tampa, FL
  • Internship, Small Animal Internal Medicine, BluePearl Pet Hospital, Tampa, FL
  • Internship, Small Animal Internal Medicine, Veterinary Specialty Hospital of San Diego, CA
  • Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, BluePearl Pet Hospital, Tampa, FL
  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station
  • Bachelor of Science, Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station
Off duty

Dr. Blanco enjoys reading (science fiction, philosophy, and science narratives), video games, biking, running, picking up new niche skills and learning about other fields of study such as architecture.

Lauren Cochran

DVM, DACVIM
Board Certified in Veterinary Internal Medicine

Internal Medicine
Servicing locations

On the job

Dr. Lauren Cochran’s research experience includes boxer colitis, pancreatitis, and nutritional management (including effects of esophageal feeding tube placement) in cats with chronic kidney disease. Her primary clinical interests include gastroenterology, renal and lower urinary tract disease and immune-mediated disease.

Education
  • Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine
  • Residency, Internal Medicine, Veterinary Specialty Hospital of San Diego, CA
  • Internship, Internal Medicine, BluePearl Veterinary Partners, Tampa, FL
  • Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, BluePearl Veterinary Partners, Tampa, FL
  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, AL
  • Bachelor of Science, Agriculture, Biological Science & Animal Science, University of Georgia, Athens
Off duty

Dr. Cochran enjoys riding horses, as well as traveling, hiking, biking, kayaking and cheering on Georgia and Auburn. Her mixed breed dog is named Tater.

Anthony Ishak

DVM, MS, DACVIM (SAIM), DACVIM (Cardiology)
Board Certified in Small Animal Internal Medicine and Cardiology

Cardiology
Internal Medicine
Servicing locations

On the job

Dr. Anthony Ishak enjoys all aspects of cardiology and internal medicine.

Education
  • Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Cardiology)
  • Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Small Animal Internal Medicine)
  • Residency, Internal Medicine, Colorado State University, Fort Collins
  • Master of Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins
  • Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, North Carolina State University, Raleigh
  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville
  • Bachelor of Science, University of Virginia, Charlottesville
Off duty

Dr. Ishak’s family includes two dogs named Stanley and Pumba, and two cats named Ramses and Siptah.

Sydney Johnson

DVM

Internal Medicine
Servicing locations

On the job

Dr. Sydney Johnson is an intern in our internal medicine service. She enjoys treating chronic conditions such as kidney disease and GI disorders.

Education
  • Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, BluePearl Pet Hospital, Tampa, FL
  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
  • Bachelor of Science, Auburn University, AL
Off duty

In her spare time, Dr. Johnson loves swimming in the pool or the gulf, kayaking, and reading a good book. She also enjoys hiking with her chihuahua mix, Bodie.

Wilmer Lopez

DVM
Resident

Internal Medicine
Servicing locations

On the job

Dr. Wilmer Lopez is a resident in our internal medicine service. He is particularly interested in the management of endocrine, renal, and other metabolic diseases.

Education
  • Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, BluePearl Pet Hospital, Clearwater, FL
  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville
  • Bachelor of Science, Biology, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton
Off duty

Dr. Lopez enjoys going to the beach and listening to music.

Erick Mears

DVM, DACVIM
Board Certified in Veterinary Internal Medicine

Internal Medicine
Servicing locations

On the job

Dr. Mears has been with BluePearl, and its predecessor, Florida Veterinary Specialists, since 1997.

Education
  • Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine
  • Residency, Small Animal Internal Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
  • Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL
  • Bachelor of Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Off duty

Erick enjoys spending time with his family and Bosco, the family cat.

Eric Schneck

DVM
Resident

Internal Medicine
Servicing locations

On the job

Dr. Eric Schneck is a resident in our internal medicine service. He finds endocrine and cardiac diseases the most gratifying to treat.

Education
  • Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, BluePearl Pet Hospital, Tampa, FL
  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens
  • Bachelor of Science, Zoology, University of Florida, Gainesville
Off duty

Dr. Schneck has a fiancé who is also a veterinarian, and together they have two dogs and a cat, all of whom keep them busy with their abundant energy.

What to expect.

We want you to be prepared for your pet’s visit to the internist, so you have one less thing to worry about. Our entire BluePearl team will be with you every step of the way.

Before your visit

  • Make an initial appointment by calling us directly or via referral from your pet’s primary vet. 
  • We’ll get records from your primary or emergency vet before your first visit and collaborate with them to discuss your pet’s history and current condition.

During your visit

  • When possible, we’ll examine your pet with you by their side to make them more comfortable. If additional tests are needed for a diagnosis, we’ll discuss those options with you.
  • You’ll have plenty of time and opportunity to ask questions as we go over your pet’s diagnosis together.
  • Before you leave, you’ll receive a detailed treatment plan, discharge instructions and any recommended medications. We’ll schedule a recheck appointment and make sure you’re aware of any symptoms you should watch out for at home.

After your visit

  • Our team will continue to partner with your primary veterinarian as part of the ongoing management of your pet’s care.
  • You know your pet better than anyone, and you play a crucial role in their treatment plan. If you have any concerns about providing care at home (such as giving medication, maintaining a specific diet or monitoring your pet’s symptoms), let us know – we’re here for you.