Vet referral?

[risky business]

Basically I'm having issues with my dog.

My vets have said there's not an awful lot that can be done unless I want surgery which they don't do at my small practice.

I want a second opinion as I'm not really happy with what was explained to me and I want to explore all options before deciding what to do.

My question is can you decide which vet you would like to be referred to? I have a practice in mind that iv heard good things about.

Never needed a second opinion before so not sure how this works.

 

[PorkChop]

Yes, the new Vet may require an email from your current Vet to proceed.

But tbh it is up to you who your take your dog to. I use several Vets, depending on what I want them to do - some Vets do only do referrals and would therefore need consent so to speak.

 

[risky business]

Brilliant thank you!

I know who I want to use just wasn't sure how I did that.

Will ask my vet to send over an email as they have said that will be needed.

 

[Umbongo]

You can see any general practice vet for a 2nd opinion. Just ask you current vet to send an email with your dogs history.
If you wanted to see a specialist/referral practice (eg. RVC, Davies, Fitzpatrick etc) then you will need to be referred by your current vet.

 

[twiggy2]

Basically I'm having issues with my dog.

My vets have said there's not an awful lot that can be done unless I want surgery which they don't do at my small practice.

I want a second opinion as I'm not really happy with what was explained to me and I want to explore all options before deciding what to do.

My question is can you decide which vet you would like to be referred to? I have a practice in mind that iv heard good things about.

Never needed a second opinion before so not sure how this works.

Yes you can, as much as we have to put so much trust in our vets do remember you are the paying customer and ultimately dictate what you want as long as it does not compromise the animals welfare. We deal with referrals day in and day out an it will not /should not be taken personally, remember your vet is giving an educated opinion animal care is not an exact science.

 

[risky business]

Thanks for the reply will request a referral tomorrow.

My vets have said the surgery she would require they cannot do at their practice anyway so I need a referral anyway.

I'm not happy with the explanation given to give an informed decision on where to go next that's all.

 

[twiggy2]

Brilliant thank you!

I know who I want to use just wasn't sure how I did that.

Will ask my vet to send over an email as they have said that will be needed.

the 2nd opinion vet does not 'Need' an email unless it is a referral centre but it is helpful to have any notes or test results that are related to what is going on with your dog now.

 

[risky business]

It's a referral centre that I'm planning to use

It's a rather complicated situation, I'm just hoping I can get some answers or this is going to end on a bad note as I won't have her suffer.

So if she's referred to the centre I want what would happen? Do I ring up to book her in, do they contact me?

All your replies are appreciated.

 

[twiggy2]

It's a referral centre that I'm planning to use

It's a rather complicated situation, I'm just hoping I can get some answers or this is going to end on a bad note as I won't have her suffer.

So if she's referred to the centre I want what would happen? Do I ring up to book her in, do they contact me?

All your replies are appreciated.

you are est to ask your vet about what happens next as I am not sure if it varies from referral centre to referral centre, at work we contact the referral centre and they contact us back with a time and day, we are usually referring emergencies so owners usually take whatever appointment is offered.

 

[risky business]

you are est to ask your vet about what happens next as I am not sure if it varies from referral centre to referral centre, at work we contact the referral centre and they contact us back with a time and day, we are usually referring emergencies so owners usually take whatever appointment is offered.

Thank you for taking the time to reply.

Been stressed all day about this, just want some answers eitherway..

 

[wren123]

Good luck with your dog, I asked to be referred with regard to my dog and asked a similar question, only from the point of view could anyone recommend a specialist for my dog's problem.
I was given the impression that I had no choice, certainly no recommendations were given.

I have to say we went to RVC at Potters Bar, and they sorted out my dog's ear totally (touches wood), my only regret was that they didn't refer me sooner, I had to push for the referral. They talked everything through with me, made no promises. To be honest it made me realize the limitations of our (perfectly good) vet, as if I had been referred when I first asked she wouldn't have got to the stage she did.

 

[risky business]

Good luck with your dog, I asked to be referred with regard to my dog and asked a similar question, only from the point of view could anyone recommend a specialist for my dog's problem.
I was given the impression that I had no choice, certainly no recommendations were given.

I have to say we went to RVC at Potters Bar, and they sorted out my dog's ear totally (touches wood), my only regret was that they didn't refer me sooner, I had to push for the referral. They talked everything through with me, made no promises. To be honest it made me realize the limitations of our (perfectly good) vet, as if I had been referred when I first asked she wouldn't have got to the stage she did.

Well this is kind of the feeling I got from my vet today.

I was told he would 'decide' whether it's worth referring her and would decide as to where. .

Iv said that it's my choice to be referred and stated which place I want her referred to! I'm paying for the vet Bill I think I should decide who I want to pay that money too. Iv stated I'm not interesting in anyone else.

Really annoyed me actually, she's still not 100% I'm not going to wait much longer for a referral..

 

[2Greys]

We contacted the referal practice we'd chosen ourselves (to see neurologist), they then contacted usual vets for dogs notes before they'd book us an appointment. If you intend to direct claim with insurance its best to find out what their policy is beforehand. It does seem to vary fair bit on consult fees too, one was double price of others.

I'm sure it will help put your mind at rest to get another opinion & may give some other treatment options. Vet seems overly controlling not surprised you don't feel very happy.

 

[risky business]

We contacted the referal practice we'd chosen ourselves (to see neurologist), they then contacted usual vets for dogs notes before they'd book us an appointment. If you intend to direct claim with insurance its best to find out what their policy is beforehand. It does seem to vary fair bit on consult fees too, one was double price of others.

I'm sure it will help put your mind at rest to get another opinion & may give some other treatment options. Vet seems overly controlling not surprised you don't feel very happy.

I was thinking of directly contacting referral vets and see where I get on that front.

I will have to go through insurance, iv checked the policy and if I choose a vet not on there recommended list I have to pay a certain amount towards the final bill which is fine. Considering there recommended list consisted of vets miles up north it doesn't matter where she goes anyway!

I just want answers for her sake.

 

[twiggy2]

Well this is kind of the feeling I got from my vet today.

I was told he would 'decide' whether it's worth referring her and would decide as to where. .

Iv said that it's my choice to be referred and stated which place I want her referred to! I'm paying for the vet Bill I think I should decide who I want to pay that money too. Iv stated I'm not interesting in anyone else.

Really annoyed me actually, she's still not 100% I'm not going to wait much longer for a referral..

That is really poor of your vets, it might be worth contacting the referral centre and speaking to them

 

[risky business]

That is really poor of your vets, it might be worth contacting the referral centre and speaking to them

Well if my vet rings tomorrow morning telling me they won't refer to the vet I want I will just contact them direct myself.

Thinking of changing vets now, really disappointed with them at this stage.

 

[misst]

I had the same problem and after 8 weeks of no answers and an ongoing problem getting worse I contacted the referral centre myself. They contacted the vets for notes and said this does happen sometimes. Insurance (Tesco) paid up no problems. I went to Fitzpatricks. I just wish I had gone sooner and been more proactive at the beginning. But 4 years later she is fantastic and you would never know there had been a problem. I nearly PTS so please do persevere. The other interesting thing was that she did not even need surgery - so glad we went to a specialist.

 

[SusieT]

I wouldn't wait. I would complain to your practice about your vets attitude - he is clearly peeved as you want more than he can offer but that's tough.
I woudl ring the practice of your choice directly and find out what the procedure is for booking an appt - let them know your own vets are being sticky and you are very worried about whether your dog is getting the right care. If needs be go see another GP vet to get them to refer you... I wouldn't wait personally.

 

[SusieT]

What is the probelm/surgery out of interest?

 

[risky business]

Well good news! My vets have pulled their finger out and referred her on to the vets of my choice after a further chat.

Hoping to hear soon regarding appointments!

The surgery my vets where looking at was for her back, but tbh I'm not convinced that is what the problem is. I want a second opinion and then if surgery is needed I can go from there.

 

[SusieT]

Good plan. Sounds good.

 

[chillipup]

Well done RB, hope everything works out for you. Would love to hear more about how referral goes

 

[risky business]

Thanks guys!

So much happier knowing something is being sorted! Her well being is all that matters so even if it's bad news we can take the right action.

I'm prepared for the worse but I'm praying they can tell me more.