By Carrie Hyde, The Spaw Pet Life Coach | April 2, 2023
You wouldn’t hesitate to get a second opinion if your doctor gave you a diagnosis you didn’t agree with. So why do so many pet owners struggle with the idea of seeing someone else when their vet provides a diagnosis that doesn’t add up?
Every pet owner should understand that veterinary second opinions are always an option. But just as important is to know is why seeking another opinion might be a good idea, when to pursue it, and how to get the right second opinion for your pet.
Why Seek a Second Opinion for Your Pet
If you believe your pet has been misdiagnosed, then you shouldn’t hesitate to reach out to another veterinarian for a second opinion. But this isn’t the only reason to seek another look.
If you can’t afford the treatment that’s been outlined, if you believe there are less invasive options available, or if you’ve been given a dire prognosis, seeking a second opinion is worth your time and energy.
Less Costly Options
Hopefully, the vet you’ve been taking your pet to for years would never intentionally overcharge you. But that doesn’t mean that you may not find a cheaper treatment option elsewhere.
It is especially important to seek a second opinion if you cannot afford the treatment plan provided to you and are considering euthanasia or not treating your pet.
At the very least, you may be able to find a hospital with different payment options or payment assistance programs. At best, you may find a cheaper treatment option or more holistic approach that your first vet wasn’t aware of.
Less Invasive Alternatives
If your vet is recommending an invasive treatment option, even if you can afford it, it may be better to shop for other options first. If you can help your pet or cure them without a long, drawn-out surgery, you’ll both feel better about the outcome.
Less invasive options also come with fewer side effects and risks. While many traditional veterinarians may turn to surgery as the first option, holistic vets will often look to the simplest treatment plan first. Depending on your pet’s prognosis, taking the time to shop around may save you money and save your pet unnecessary pain.
Better Prognosis
Another instance where it is almost always worth seeking a second opinion is if your pet’s prognosis is very poor.
Unless your pet is in extreme pain or danger and your vet is recommending drastic action be taken immediately, then it is worth taking the time to see if another vet might give a better prognosis.
In this case, it is best to seek out professionals in the specific field of your pet’s ailment. While a general veterinary practitioner might see your dog’s cancer as untreatable, an oncologist may know about multiple treatment options.
When a Second Veterinary Opinion is Necessary
At what point in the diagnostic or treatment process to seek a second opinion really comes down to your gut.
If you begin to feel that what your vet is doing or telling you doesn’t seem right, then that is when you should seek another opinion. Similarly, if your vet is running out of options or only giving you options that you don’t like, then don’t risk waiting too long to see if another vet might have something more to say.
You may also find that a treatment plan you felt comfortable with in the beginning is no longer producing the results you’d hoped for. This could be due to side effects or just a lack of results.
If you bring your concerns up to your vet and they aren’t willing to heed them, then it may be time to see another vet. Someone with fresh eyes for the situation may have new ideas for different avenues of treatment.
How to Get a Second Opinion from a Veterinarian
If you decide to get a second opinion on your pet’s care, there are some simple steps you should follow to assure the best outcome for you, your pet, and the veterinarians involved.
1. Tell Your Vet You’re Seeking a Second Opinion
Many pet owners feel uncomfortable letting their current vet know they are seeking another vet to weigh in on their pet’s case. While this is understandable, it’s important to keep in mind that vets, like doctors, know this is your right, and most don’t take the situation personally.
Most general vets understand that specializing vets are going to be more knowledgeable and up to date on new treatments than they are and will encourage you to seek an opinion from one if the situation warrants it. Even in less specialized situations, your vet should feel confident enough in their diagnosis and approach to welcome the chance to have a second vet confirm their findings.
Of course, if they are less excited about the idea or downright aggressive about it, that’s a good sign that you should be changing vets anyway.
In the end, telling your vet that you’re seeking a second opinion is important because you may need to come back to them in the future. While talking to other vets, you may find that your first option is in fact your best or most affordable option. By being honest about the situation, you give yourself the option to come back to your original vet if needed.
2. Find the Right Second Opinion
Choosing the right vet for a second opinion will require more than asking another vet from the same practice to look at your case.
To give your pet the best chance and to make a second appointment worth the cost and effort, you should seek the vet that is most likely to have a better option or more complete diagnosis. Often, this means looking into specialists.
While some veterinary practices have specialists on staff, your best options are likely going to be University-based vet practices. These not only tend to staff some of the most knowledgeable minds in every field, but they are more likely to try novel treatments in cases where few treatment options exist.
If your reason for seeking another opinion is less about the diagnosis or lack of treatment options and more about the invasive approach suggested by your original vet, then turning to a holistic vet may be the best choice.
Unlike traditional vets who often see surgery as the first option, many holistic vets offer less invasive, whole picture treatments that can be just as or even more effective. And these treatments often come with a lower price tag and fewer side effects.
3. Set Up the Appointment
The most important thing about seeking a second opinion is to act quickly.
In most situations, any hesitancy on your part is likely to negatively affect your pet. Waiting too long could even lead to a situation where your original treatment plan is no longer an option. If your second opinion doesn’t pan out, then you could easily find yourself without any options.
When you schedule the appointment, make sure to let the new vet know that you are making the appointment to get a second opinion. The vet will likely want to see your records from your previous appointment in order to better inform their diagnosis and treatment plan. This extra information is valuable, so don’t withhold it in hopes of forcing a different conclusion.
4. Make the Right Choice for Your Pet
Sometimes second opinions provide a better avenue forward. But sometimes they don’t.
Whatever happens in your situation, you’ll have an important choice to make. As you weigh the options, be sure to always keep your pet’s wellbeing at the forefront of your mind. While you may have some negative opinions about your previous vet, if they have provided the best way forward, then it is worth returning to them.
On the other hand, you may find yourself apprehensive about using a vet you don’t know. But, if the second opinion seems the best option for your pet, it’s worth doing what you can to ease your anxiety and move forward with this path.
Advocate for Your Pet
Second veterinarian opinions are all about doing what is best for your pet.
When the initial diagnosis is more costly than you can afford, too invasive, or leaves you with a poor prognosis, you may want to seek a second opinion. Even if you’re in the middle of treatment for your pet, if your gut tells you there might be a better way forward, it’s worth taking the time to talk to another vet.
When you get a second opinion, always be honest with your old vet, and make sure you take time to research your new vet to find the best option for your pet’s specific needs. Set up the appointment quickly to assure all options remain open to you and take time to assess what each vet has to say to make the best choice for your pet.
Questioning your veterinarian may seem like a questionable thing to do. But the truth is, getting a second opinion often leads to a better outcome for everyone involved.
By Carrie Hyde, The Spaw Pet Life Coach | April 2, 2023
Written for The Spaw by Sara Seitz, Professional Freelance Writer, and Novelist with Pen and Post
Carrie Hyde is the founder, owner, and Pet Life Coach of The Spaw in Tustin, CA. Carrie’s extensive experience and understanding of pet nutrition and coaching enabled her to create The Spawdcast, a podcast dedicated to educating pet parents and pet industry professionals on ALL the options available to their pets. Her mission is to open pet-owners eyes to the questions they may not even know to ask, to shine a light on the many myths that have been part of pet care for decades, and to offer whole solutions for their pets. Carrie Hyde is a certified pet nutritionist with the goal of helping pet parents & pet professionals with a new understanding of how to care for pets in a “whole and natural” way.
