It’s important to know how to take care of a dog that has medical issues that lie outside the realm of general health. Perhaps you are unaware that there are veterinary specialists who can address specific issues.
Since these specialists can be costly, it’s important to know when it is necessary to consult one.
Your veterinarian will refer you to such a specialist when your dog needs special diagnostic tests such as an MRI scan, radiation therapy or surgery such as cataract removal and dental care.
There are specialists who are invaluable in diagnosing and treating severe conditions, such as epilepsy, persistent skin conditions, and when your dog is facing a life-threatening illness or perpetual health problem.
Your regular vet will do whatever possible to treat your dog, but if you are not satisfied with the results or diagnosis, you might want to consider asking for a referral to a veterinary specialist.
This is a perfectly acceptable when you want to take care of a dog that is seemingly unresponsive to treatment.
What you want to avoid is vet-hopping when you are not satisfied. Seeing a specialist is not the same thing. Vet-hopping means that you will be facing increasingly expensive treatment because each vet will start from the beginning. This can start from a complete physical and then be broken down into resolving the immediate problem. In other words, you are paying over and over for some of the treatment.
It’s best to stick with a vet that you trust and just ask for a referral to a specialist for this one condition.
If you do choose to find another vet, ask for your dog’s medical records so that you can avoid duplicated some of the procedures.
Since these specialists can be costly, it’s important to know when it is necessary to consult one.
Your veterinarian will refer you to such a specialist when your dog needs special diagnostic tests such as an MRI scan, radiation therapy or surgery such as cataract removal and dental care.
There are specialists who are invaluable in diagnosing and treating severe conditions, such as epilepsy, persistent skin conditions, and when your dog is facing a life-threatening illness or perpetual health problem.
Your regular vet will do whatever possible to treat your dog, but if you are not satisfied with the results or diagnosis, you might want to consider asking for a referral to a veterinary specialist.
This is a perfectly acceptable when you want to take care of a dog that is seemingly unresponsive to treatment.
What you want to avoid is vet-hopping when you are not satisfied. Seeing a specialist is not the same thing. Vet-hopping means that you will be facing increasingly expensive treatment because each vet will start from the beginning. This can start from a complete physical and then be broken down into resolving the immediate problem. In other words, you are paying over and over for some of the treatment.
It’s best to stick with a vet that you trust and just ask for a referral to a specialist for this one condition.
If you do choose to find another vet, ask for your dog’s medical records so that you can avoid duplicating some of the procedures.
We use to have a nice vet specialist clinic out here in Mississauga where they had an internist, an orthopedic surgeon, an othamologist and a dermatologist. Between my first two Lhasa Apsos, they had consults with all of them except for the surgeon. It’s since been closed from what my general vet tells me. So far, I haven’t had the need to use a specialist for my two new dogs but I certainly wouldn’t hesitate to use one in the future if needed.