What
is a veterinary specialist?
Just as your physician may suggest
that you see a specialist to
further investigate a problem
or receive special treatment,
your veterinarian may suggest
that your pet see a veterinary
specialist. Veterinarians who
wish to specialize must fulfill
requirements established under
the guidance of the American
Veterinary Medical Association.
These requirements include graduation
from veterinary school, an internship
or private practice experience,
a 2-3 year advanced training
program (residency), and passage
of a rigorous examination given
by other specialists. When all
requirements have been fulfilled,
the veterinarian is recognized
as a Diplomate ("board-certified")
in his/her specialty. Board-certified
veterinarians treat pets both
in private practice and at academic
institutions. (Back
to Top)
When
does a pet need to be taken
to a veterinary specialist?
Pet owners typically come to
a veterinary specialist for
treatment upon the suggestion
of their veterinarian, although
in some cases clients may "self-refer".
Reasons for referral to a specialist
may include seeking the best
possible care for their pet,
pursuing resources for an advanced
diagnostic work-up, hospitalization,
therapy or aftercare not immediately
available by the referring veterinarian.
The comfort and well-being
of the pet is a top priority
in specialty practices, just
like it has always been at other
forms of veterinary practices.
Allowing the experience of specialty
veterinarians to act in union
with your referring veterinarian
helps to ensure that your pet
receives compassionate health
care of the highest quality
available. Multiple veterinary
specialists within each clinic
collaborate to provide state-of-the-art
care, most commonly in an around-the-clock
hospital setting. (Back
to Top)
What
specialties do VSPA-Member clinics
offer?
Member hospitals offer specialties
in the areas of anesthesia,
behavior, cardiology, critical
care medicine, dentistry, dermatology,
emergency medicine, internal
medicine, neurology, oncology,
ophthalmology, radiation oncology,
radiology and surgery. The specialists
operate clinical practices and
accept cases on a referral basis
from primary care practitioners.
You may learn more about each
veterinary specialty under the
Pet Owners Section entitled
Articles. Back
to Top)
How
does the referral process work?
Similar to the process in human
medicine, after an examination
and discussion with the owner,
a primary care practitioners will
determine whether the appropriate
resources are available on-site
or whether the pet's needs would
be best met by referral to a
veterinary specialist. The general
practitioner will arrange for
an appointment with the referral
clinic. Often, the referring
veterinarian communicates with
the receiving veterinarian prior
to the referral by providing
a summary of the case including
pertinent points from the history,
physical examination, tests
performed, radiographs and
medications. Back
to Top)
How
could I learn more about a referral
for my own pet?
If you would like a referral
to a VSPA member hospital, click
on the VSPA Directory to determine
if a VSPA clinic is located
near you. You may use the contact
information provided to learn
more about the specific referral
process in your area. To locate
other veterinary specialty practices,
ask your private practitioner
for further information.
Back
to Top)
