Tips on Referrals and Second Opinions from Dr. Michael Moyer
As pet owners, we dread the thought of our beloved companion being diagnosed with a terrible disease. At times, we react to bad news by doubting the veterinarian’s findings, especially if the veterinarian has not seen the pet before. Dissatisfaction with, or doubts about, a diagnosis, treatment, or outcome can drive some pet owners to seek a second opinion from another veterinarian. While another opinion can be extremely useful, there are some common mistakes pet owners make when choosing the second veterinarian.
- Don’t... ”sneak” off to another vet. Without a direct referral, many pieces of the diagnostic puzzle may be overlooked or misinterpreted. While you may be frustrated with poor response to treatment, or no diagnosis after lots of testing, these pieces of information are crucial. Without these, you may end up repeating tests unnecessarily or missing the diagnosis altogether.
- Don’t.... spend valuable office time complaining about the first vet’s diagnostic approach. The second vet is not interested in that, only in trying to solve your pet’s puzzle. As a colleague likes to remind me, “FIX THE PROBLEM, NOT THE BLAME.”
- Don’t... expect to get answers to complicated medical problems on the cheap. Diagnostic testing, referrals, consultations, and special studies can add up quickly. Veterinary medicine can now offer many of the same types of care and treatment available to people, but without major medical picking up the tab.
- Don’t...distrust “new” veterinarians automatically. Most new graduates are superbly equipped to diagnose and treat patients. They learn how to deal with you better with each year of practice.
Is your pet having a problem? Follow these steps:
- Step 1. Ask your vet for the diagnosis (problem), treatment (what medicines, surgery, etc. can help the problem), and prognosis (how well your pet is likely to get with treatment). Ask for these in terms you can understand.
- Step 2. If you have doubts, or become angry for any reason, TELL THE DOCTOR! He may be able to clarify or resolve the difficulty without further delaying the treatment of your pet. Be blunt (but polite), insistent (but respectful), and clear. If you cannot get a satisfactory explanation or if communication is strained, you probably need another doctor (perhaps at the same hospital) to review the case. ASK FOR THIS!
- Step 3. Once you have exhausted these options and still have doubts or confusion about your pet’s condition, ask the veterinarian for a referral. This can be a specialist or another colleague to independently examine the pet and prior medical records for a second opinion. You should not worry about offending the original doctor; it is a veterinarian’s duty to refer if requested. While there may be a look of surprise and/or questions about why you want the referral, most veterinarians will gladly and thoughtfully recommend a qualified colleague for a second opinion.
As our client at Bridgewater Veterinary Hospital, you can benefit from our close affiliation with veterinary specialists in many different disciplines such as: cardiology, radiology, internal medicine, dermatology, ophthalmology, and dentistry. Should you feel that your pet’s condition warrants a referral, please do not hesitate to ask one of our doctors.
Copyright 2006. Bridgewater Veterinary Hospital, Inc. All rights reserved. Legal notice.