2020
Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Veterinarian (CHPV)
International Association for Animal Hospice and Palliative Care (IAAHPC)
Professional profile & curriculum vitae
Dr. Lawren
Durocher-Babek
DVM · MS · DACVIM · CHPV
Board-certified in Small Animal Internal Medicine, with a career spanning referral medicine, clinical leadership, research, veterinary education, and hospice and palliative care.
An extensive record of clinical and academic work, presented here for referring veterinarians, colleagues, educators and anyone who would like to know more about my professional background.
Foundations
Education & specialist training
2004 – 2007
Small Animal Internal Medicine Residency · MS, Veterinary Clinical Sciences
The Ohio State University
Thesis: Hyperketonemia in dogs: relationship of plasma ketone concentration to that of glucoregulatory hormones and substrates
2003 – 2004
Small Animal Rotating Medicine and Surgery Internship
Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph
1999 – 2003
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM), Magna Cum Laude
University of Georgia
1996 – 2000
BS, Agriculture, with Highest Honors
University of Georgia
Honors thesis: Nuclease Activity in Ruminal Bacteria
Clinical career
Professional experience
June 2024 – present
Owner / Founder · Small Animal Internal Medicine Specialist
Veterinary Specialty and Imaging · Hong Kong
Independent internal medicine, hospice and palliative care practice.
February 2021 – June 2024
Small Animal Internal Medicine Specialist
Zodiac Specialty & Imaging Centre · Hong Kong
Ultrasound, endoscopy, internal medicine and hospice / palliative care.
May – September 2021
Small Animal Internal Medicine Specialist · Managing Director
HK Cat Care · Hong Kong
Medical practice and business-development advisory work.
2018 – 2021
Small Animal Internal Medicine Specialist
Veterinary Specialty Hospital of Hong Kong · Hong Kong
Internal medicine, abdominal ultrasound and endoscopy.
2015 – 2019
Consulting Specialist, Ultrasound
Oncura Partners Diagnostics, LLC · Austin, Texas
Remote ultrasound interpretation and internal medicine consultations.
2015 – 2018
Small Animal Internal Medicine Specialist · Medical Director
Red Bank Veterinary Hospital · Hillsborough, New Jersey
Clinical referral services and medical leadership of a satellite hospital with ten veterinarians.
2015
Small Animal Internal Medicine Specialist
Crown Veterinary Specialists · Lebanon, New Jersey
Abdominal ultrasound, endoscopy and specialist internal medicine consultations.
2007 – 2015
Small Animal Internal Medicine Specialist
Carolina Veterinary Specialists · Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Referral medicine, diagnostic procedures, emergency on-call support and consultations for local veterinarians.
Areas of interest
Professional interests
Research & writing
Scientific publications & contributions
Peer-reviewed research, professional chapters, conference contributions and published clinical writing.
- Al-Khaldi SF, Durocher LL, Martin SA. Deoxyribonuclease activity in Selenomonas ruminantium, Streptococcus bovis, and Bacteroides ovatus. Current Microbiology 41(3):182–186. 2000.
- Hinchcliff K, McKenzie EC, Durocher L, et al. Depletion of intramuscular triglycerides and hyperketonemia in sled dogs during prolonged exercise. Poster presented at ACVIM Symposium, 2006.
- Durocher LL, Hinchcliff K, Williamson K, et al. Short Communication: Lack of microalbuminuria in sled dogs following exercise. Journal of Equine and Comparative Exercise Physiology 3(1):1–2. 2006.
- Durocher L, Chew D. Diseases of the Urinary Bladder. Handbook of Small Animal Diseases, Rhea Morgan, ed. 2007.
- Durocher L. Neuromuscular case of the month: Myasthenia gravis and Immune-mediated polymyositis in a 6-year-old mixed breed dog. Comparative Neuromuscular Laboratory Website. June 2007.
- Durocher LL, Hinchcliff K, Williamson K, et al. Strenuous exercise in Alaskan Sled Dogs increases urinary concentrations of homovanillic acid and cortisol but not vanillylmandelic acid. American Journal of Veterinary Research 68(1):107–111. 2007.
- Durocher L, et al. Acid-Base Abnormalities in dogs with diabetes. Poster, ACVIM 2007.
- Durocher L. Ketosis in diabetic dogs is not related solely to serum insulin concentration. Presentation, ACVIM 2007.
- Durocher LL, Hinchcliff KW, DiBartola SP, et al. Acid-Base and hormonal abnormalities in dogs with naturally occurring diabetes mellitus. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 232(9):1310–1320. 2008.
- Durocher L, Johnson S, Green E. Esophageal diverticulum associated with a trichobezoar in a cat. Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association 45:142–146. 2009.
- Durocher L, et al. Chapter 10. Urinary and Renal Diseases. Small Animal Internal Medicine for Veterinary Technicians and Nurses, Linda Merrill, ed. 2012.
- Durocher L. Fanconi Syndrome: A Review. Clinician’s Brief web exclusive. November 2012.
- Durocher L. GI Pain Management Options. Clinician’s Brief web exclusive. September 2015.
- Contributing Reviewer, AAHA Diabetic Guidelines, 2018.
- Jaffey JA, Kreisler R, Shumway K, et al. Ultrasongraphic patterns, clinical findings, and prognostic variables in dogs from Asia with gallbladder mucocele. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. 2022;1–11.
Professional standing
Qualifications, awards & memberships
- Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (DACVIM)
- Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Veterinarian (CHPV), IAAHPC
- National Resident Research Award, Endocrinology — ACVIM, 2007
- Veterinary licensure: Hong Kong and New Jersey, USA
- Certificate in Hospice and Palliative Care — AAHA
- Fear Free Elite Professional
- Pet Nutrition Coach Certification — NAVC
- Recover Certified
- Member, American Veterinary Medical Association
- Member, International Association of Animal Hospice and Palliative Care
- Founding member, NOMV–NJ
- Executive board, Hong Kong Veterinary Association
Sharing clinical knowledge
Continuing education, lectures & presentations
Education for veterinary colleagues and wider audiences has been a consistent part of my professional career.
2025
- Rational Care for the Small Animal Practitioner lecture series — Hong Kong
- From Sniffles to Sneezes: Rational Diagnostics and Treatments for Chronic Snuffler Cats — AVMA Convention, Washington, DC, July
2024
- Rational Diagnostics and Management of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Dogs — AVMA Convention, Austin, Texas, June
- Rational Diagnostics and Management of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Cats — AVMA Convention, Austin, Texas, June
- Maximizing the Minimum Database: Tips and Tricks from an Internist — AVMA Convention, Austin, Texas, June
- From Sniffles to Sneezes: Rational Diagnostics and Treatments for Chronic Snuffler Cats — Hong Kong Veterinary Association, October
2023
- Tips for Introducing Palliative Care with Practical Care to Your Small Animal Practice — AVMA Conference, Denver, Colorado, July
- Hypoalbuminemia: Where Has All the Protein Gone? — AVMA Conference, Denver, Colorado, July
- The Cushing’s Conundrum: When Should We Test, How Should We Test, and What Do We Do with the Results? — AVMA Conference, Denver, Colorado, July
- Rational Use of Steroids in Small Animal Practice — AVMA Conference, Denver, Colorado, July
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Dogs and Cats: Diagnostic, Treatment, and Communication Considerations — Hong Kong Veterinary Association, November
2022
- When Sugar Problems Aren’t Simple: Dealing with the Troublesome Diabetics — AVMA Conference, virtual, August
- Feeding Tubes: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly — AVMA Conference, virtual, August
- A Rational Approach to PU/PD in Small Animal Medicine — AVMA Conference, virtual, August
- Rational Use of Steroids in Hospice and Palliative Care — IAAHPC Conference, virtual, September
- Bridging the Language Barrier: Tips for Practicing in a Foreign Country — IAAHPC Conference, virtual, September
- Managing Diabetics in Your Small Animal Practice: From the Simple to the Complex — Hong Kong Veterinary Association, November
2021
- Fevers of Unknown Origin: Turning the “Unknown” Into the “Known” — AVMA Conference, virtual, August
- Rational Use of Flash Continuous Glucose Monitors in Small Animal Medicine — AVMA Conference, virtual, August
- Top Tips! Pet Proofing Your Home — Around DB Magazine, August
- Leptospirosis — Your Vet Wants You to Know podcast
- Canine Influenza — Your Vet Wants You to Know podcast
- Taking Care of Dogs and Cats — Empower U class series, Hong Kong (date not specified in source CV)
2020
- Rational Use of Flash Continuous Glucose Monitors in Small Animal Medicine — HKVA / VSH Virtual Symposium, Hong Kong
2019
- Complex Carbohydrates: When Diabetes Isn’t Simple — VSH Continuing Education Symposium, Hong Kong
- Bridging the Doctor–Client Gap: Nurse’s Role in Communication in Diabetics — VSH Continuing Education Symposium, Hong Kong
- Round Table Discussion on the Thrombocytopenic Surgical Patient — VSH Continuing Education Symposium, Hong Kong
- Lessons From the NICU: What We Can Learn from the NICU and How to Apply These Lessons to Veterinary Medicine — IAAHPC Conference, Chicago, Illinois
2017
- Chronic Renal Failure: Real World Diagnostics and Treatment — sponsored by Hill’s, Edgewater, New Jersey
2016
- Introduction to Endoscopy — Crown Veterinary Specialists, Lebanon, New Jersey
2015
- A Case Based Approach to Hepatobiliary Disease — Crown Veterinary Specialists, Lebanon, New Jersey
2012
- Hepatobiliary Disease: A Rational, Case Based Approach — Carolina Veterinary Specialists CE, Greensboro, North Carolina
- What to Do When Your Patient Turns Blue — North Carolina Veterinary Medical Association, Appalachian Mountain Veterinary Conference, Asheville
- Stayin’ Alive from ER to Internal Medicine: Blood Issues — North Carolina Veterinary Medical Association, Appalachian Mountain Veterinary Conference, Asheville
- Stayin’ Alive from ER to Internal Medicine: Electrolyte Issues — North Carolina Veterinary Medical Association, Appalachian Mountain Veterinary Conference, Asheville
2008
- Diabetes Mellitus in Cats — University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine Continuing Education and Alumni Weekend, Athens, Georgia
2007
- Cushing’s Syndrome — Carolina Veterinary Specialists CE, Greensboro, North Carolina
Undated in source CV
- Continuing Education for Emergency Medicine Clinicians — Carolina Veterinary Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina: Transfusion Medicine; Electrolyte Abnormalities and Fluids; Pancreatitis; Cardiac and Respiratory Emergencies
Work together
Good medicine is collaborative.
For internal medicine referrals, case discussions or professional education enquiries, please get in touch.
Professional record adapted from Dr. Lawren’s March 2026 CV. Presentation details and affiliations reflect the source document.