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Michael Merkhassine, DVM, DACVIM (SAIM)

Diplomate - American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine

Assistant Clinical Professor, Section of Small Animal Medicine

Department of Clinical Sciences

Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine
930 Campus Road
Ithaca, NY 14853

Office: 607-253-3428
Email: mm2672@cornell.edu

Profile

Research/Clinical Interests

Dr. Merkhassine has a clinical interest in chronic gastrointestinal and endocrine diseases in dogs and cats. He is also interested in minimally invasive diagnostic procedures, such as endoscopy and bronchoscopy.

Education

  • 2020-2023: Cornell University, Residency in Small Animal Internal Medicine
  • 2019-2020: Ocean State Veterinary Specialists, Specialty Internship in Small Animal Internal Medicine
  • 2018-2019: Ocean State Veterinary Specialists, Rotating Internship in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery
  • 2014-2018: Cornell University, DVM

Biography/Professional Experience

Dr. Michael Merkhassine graduated from the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2018. He continued his training at Ocean State Veterinary Specialists in Rhode Island, where he completed a general rotating internship in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery and a speciality internship in Small Animal Internal Medicine. He returned to Cornell University in 2020 to complete a residency in Small Animal Internal Medicine. Following residency Dr. Merkhassine worked as an internist at VCA Colonial Animal Hospital, before returning to Cornell in 2025 as an Assistant Clinical Professor of Small Animal Internal Medicine in the Department of Clinical Sciences.

Professional/Academic Affiliations

  • American Veterinary Medical Association
  • American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine
  • Veterinary and Comparative Clinical Immunology Society
  • American Society of Veterinary Nephrology and Urology

Publications

Selected Publications

  1. Merkhassine, M., Coch, R. W., Frederick, C. E., Bennett, L. L., Peng, S. A., Morse, B., Cummings, B., & Loftus, J. P .(2024). Glucagon infusion alters the circulating metabolome and urine amino acid excretion in dogs. Journal of Endocrinology, JOE-24-0051. https://doi.org/10.1530/JOE-24-0051
  2. Ippolito E, Merkhassine M, Forbes JM, Loftus JP. Elevated 24,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D Serum Concentrations in Two Dogs with Cholecalciferol Toxicosis. Pets. 2024; 1(3):420-426. https://doi.org/10.3390/pets1030029
  3. Cammarano K, Carney PC, Rose HE, Merkhassine M, Ippolito E, Arsenault A, Plotsker NM, Loftus JP, Kowalczyk M, Prieto JMB. A veterinary-calibrated point-of-care glucometer accurately measures blood glucose concentration in dogs and cats. Am J Vet Res. 2024 Jul 12;85(9):ajvr.24.05.0146. doi: 10.2460/ajvr.24.05.0146.