{"id":646419,"date":"2024-09-04T10:00:46","date_gmt":"2024-09-04T14:00:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.catster.com\/?p=646419"},"modified":"2024-09-13T01:48:47","modified_gmt":"2024-09-13T05:48:47","slug":"referrals-second-opinions-for-your-cat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.catster.com\/felines-weekly\/referrals-second-opinions-for-your-cat\/","title":{"rendered":"Referrals & Second Opinions For Your Cat: Everything to Know"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hi, I\u2019m Dr. Lauren!\u00a0Read my introduction<\/a>\u00a0to learn more about me and my two adventurous cats, Pancake and Tiller.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Have you ever gone to your own doctor, and they\u2019ve said quite simply \u201cI don\u2019t know what is wrong with you.\u201d Well, it happens with vets, too. Obviously, no one wants this to happen, but it can for a variety of reasons: the issue is outside a person\u2019s area of expertise, the disease can mimic a variety of complicated issues and be difficult if not downright impossible to workup without specific advanced testing modalities, or sometimes, simply, the answers and right tests have not yet been invented.<\/p>\n

In these situations in human medicine, you might elect to seek a second opinion from another doctor, or you might even be referred to a specialist. Did you know that this is also possible in veterinary medicine?<\/p>\n

What Is a Referral?<\/h2>\n

In cats, as a vet, I\u2019ve seen referrals and second opinions throughout my career. I\u2019ve also sent patients of mine for a referral, or second opinions. So what are they? Does your cat need one? And how do you make the visit as successful as possible? Read on.<\/p>\n

A primary veterinarian or general practitioner sees routine appointments, as well as appointments for ill cats. They give vaccines, prescribe medications, and do various surgeries. However, for patients who have multiple illnesses, or severe illnesses, or lots of clinical signs and no diagnosis, then they might get referred to another vet. If that vet is a specialist, then this is generally called a referral. This specialist can then proceed to do necessary diagnostics to try and identify the underlying issue and how to best treat it. Referrals must come through your own vet.<\/p>\n

\"Unfortunately,<\/p>\n

What is a Second Opinion?<\/h2>\n

Second opinions, however, can be seen by any vet\u2014specialist or not. And they can be self-referred, meaning your vet does not need to direct the booking and appointment process. Second opinions in some countries mean that the new vet seeing your cat cannot do diagnostics or provide treatment- they simply review the case, and then give you feedback that you can take to your own vet.<\/p>\n

Tips For Getting Referrals and Second Opinions<\/h2>\n

If you are thinking of getting a referral, or a second opinion, here\u2019s how you can best go about booking this process:<\/p>\n