When our pet is diagnosed with an illness or disease, one in which the prognosis is poor, we are willing to do anything that will help. Seeking a second opinion from a specialist or another veterinarian often offers options for a better prognosis.
Whether you’ve moved or changed vets for some other reason, you may not have had time to build a relationship with the new doctor. Consulting another vet will give you the time to form a trusting association with the new vet. Perhaps your vet can give you the name of a specialist who can confirm the diagnosis. Vets can be very understanding if you would like a second opinion and often advise you to do so.
For some condtions such as cancer, treatment can be prolonged and expensive. The specialist may be able to offer different options that you can choose from and that will fit your wallet.
There may be times when, in spite of examination and tests, your vet can’t find what is wrong with your pet. Knowing your pet as well as you do, you feel that s/he does have a problem and a second opinion is a good idea.
Please do not wait for a second opinion if your pet has an emergency situation that can be life-threatening. Quickly get the necessary treatment. When your pet is stable you may want to seek the advice of another vet.
There is important information you should bring with you to the second vet – your pet’s medical records, any blood work results, x-rays or treatment. In order to help the vet, write down any information you can think of such as when symptoms began, any changes in your pet and so on. Have as much information as you possibly can available to the consulting vet.
