Just as in human medicine, there are doctors in veterinary medicine that have chosen to focus their studies and practice of veterinary medicine in a specialized area, such as surgery, internal medicine, dermatology, optometry, oncology, neurology, radiology, and dentistry. Veterinary Specialists have a greater knowledge of the unusual, the uncommon, or rare in small animal veterinary medicine. In addition to completing veterinary school and passing the board examination that is required for all veterinarians, Board-Certified Veterinary Specialists complete an internship and residency in their specialized field (an additional 4-5 years training) and pass rigorous examinations to achieve Board Certification. Not only will a Specialist have additional training and knowledge, but they will commonly have diagnostic equipment not generally available to your family veterinarian.
A veterinary specialist is a veterinarian who has completed additional training in a specific area of veterinary medicine and has passed an examination that evaluates their knowledge and skills in that specialty area.
So how do you decide when it’s time to see one of these specialists? Most of us today consider our pets to be part of our family and want nothing but the best care possible. When your pet is not feeling well, the first place to go is your trusted family veterinarian. They are the ones who will make the initial assessments, recommendations, and treatments plans. But what happens if your pet is suffering from an unusual or specialized problem: persistent allergies, neurologic abnormalities, injured bones, eyes, etc. ? This is the time for your veterinarian to discuss the available specialists to further evaluate your pet’s condition.
Unfortunately, some veterinarians are worried that you will think less of them if they can’t solve your pet’s problem and, as a result, do not like to discuss referrals. In my experience, nothing could be further from the truth; clients always appreciate a referral. If you find yourself in a situation where you are frustrated with the lack of progress in resolving your pet’s condition, then this is the time to ask your veterinarian for a referral to the appropriate specialist. You always have the option to make an appointment with a specialist on your own.
As you navigate through your pet’s health concerns, remember, when living so close to Denver there is likely a Veterinary Specialist nearby who can offer you new insight into your pet’s problems and different options for their care.
At Mountain Parks Veterinary Hospital, we pride ourselves on having excellent working relationships with many Board-Certified Veterinary Specialists, including several who see patients at our clinic. These relationships allow for a seamless referral and exchange of medical records and information, ensuring the best possible care for your pet which should be the top priority!
