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SnowWa · 05-29-2006, 12:25 AM

Getting second opinons.....

I want to preface my post with a few facts. My husband, who was a physician, was best friends with another physician whose wife is a vet. The four of us spent a lot of time together and even today, Brenda (the vet) and I spend time together, going out to dinner and doing other things (plus she is my vet.)

Brenda and I were talking a month or so ago about "second opinions" - in the my field of medicine and in her own practice.

We agree that there certainly are times for second opinions...especially when serious health problems exist (that should be improving and aren't) and when expensive or life-threatening procedures are being investigated.

But - unlike our own medical care (where our insurances are willing to cover second opinions without much regard to the seriousness of our problems) - second opinions often require additional out-of-the pocket expensives for those of us with our animals.

Stating that most "second opinion visits" are unnecessary as well as an unnecessary expense, some of the things she had to say were:

1) Usually, she knows the first vet and regards his opinion highly.
2) Usually, she agrees with his initial opinion, but has the advantage
of knowing that the animal has not responded to his recommended
treatment...which she probably would have begun with also.
3) If she does move on to do further testing - the first vet would have
probably have done that also, if the patient had returned to him.
4) If an animal is seriously ill or has a chronic problem, often visiting
different vets only impedes and complicates the care the animal is
receiving.
5) Costly tests are often duplicated.
6) If time is an issue regarding a pet's care, it is being wasted by
going to different vets and often starting all over again.
7) Some vets have a better bedside manner than others - some vets are
are tired (from work) or have had a bad day, the day you visit. This
rarely detracts from the judgements they make in treating your pet.
(Remember some of the best surgeons in the world wouldn't win a
popularity contest.)
8) Most pets she sees for second opinions don't have a serious health
problem. In fact, many of these pets are nearly recovered by
the time they visit her office.
9) Many problems she sees aren't serious, but are chronic in nature -
(arthritis - chronic ear problems - chronic anal gland problems, etc.)
that will never be cured - but rather that some unfortunate animals
just seemed to have been cursed with and will require care for from
time to time. She can do no better than your first vet could do with
these problems.
10) Some problems can't be cured....regardless of how many vets you see
or how many opinions you get.

Of course, there are times when a second opinion is appropriate. Again, if our pet has a serious health problem that should be improving and isn't - if they are in pain, and we honestly hope that they might be better managed in this regard, or - if extremely expense surgery or life-threatening care is involved; we want to further investigate this.

****** I am bringing this information up only because so many people here are so quick to say "get a second opinion" all the time -- regarding any problem.

Brenda's advise certainly was to get a second opinion when it's appropriate and warranted....but, first give your first vet a chance to continue his care (which he can't do if you don't return to him) -- and don't waste your money and time visiting different vets when it's not necessary (which, she said, seldom is.)

I know I have forgotten some of the points she brought up - but hopefully, I remembered most of them. --she did mention that people should insist that their vets make whatever information they are giving them understandable. Go to your vet with a list of questions you want answered and understand the answers before you leave the office. If you are confused about something when you get home, call the office back and ask that something be better explained. You need to understand your pet's health problems and what might be done for them.

***** Brenda has one patient - a neurotic, hypochondriacal, pet owner (which none of us are) - who has her pet's records at six different vet's offices. Thankfully, her little dog has no serious problems. They just worry about everything, dream up exotic new diseases all the time, and like to visit the doctor. And, obviously, she can afford to pay the bills.

Carol Jean

05-29-2006, 12:25 AM	#1
SnowWa YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: USA Posts: 2,992	Second Opinions........ Getting second opinons..... I want to preface my post with a few facts. My husband, who was a physician, was best friends with another physician whose wife is a vet. The four of us spent a lot of time together and even today, Brenda (the vet) and I spend time together, going out to dinner and doing other things (plus she is my vet.) Brenda and I were talking a month or so ago about "second opinions" - in the my field of medicine and in her own practice. We agree that there certainly are times for second opinions...especially when serious health problems exist (that should be improving and aren't) and when expensive or life-threatening procedures are being investigated. But - unlike our own medical care (where our insurances are willing to cover second opinions without much regard to the seriousness of our problems) - second opinions often require additional out-of-the pocket expensives for those of us with our animals. Stating that most "second opinion visits" are unnecessary as well as an unnecessary expense, some of the things she had to say were: 1) Usually, she knows the first vet and regards his opinion highly. 2) Usually, she agrees with his initial opinion, but has the advantage of knowing that the animal has not responded to his recommended treatment...which she probably would have begun with also. 3) If she does move on to do further testing - the first vet would have probably have done that also, if the patient had returned to him. 4) If an animal is seriously ill or has a chronic problem, often visiting different vets only impedes and complicates the care the animal is receiving. 5) Costly tests are often duplicated. 6) If time is an issue regarding a pet's care, it is being wasted by going to different vets and often starting all over again. 7) Some vets have a better bedside manner than others - some vets are are tired (from work) or have had a bad day, the day you visit. This rarely detracts from the judgements they make in treating your pet. (Remember some of the best surgeons in the world wouldn't win a popularity contest.) 8) Most pets she sees for second opinions don't have a serious health problem. In fact, many of these pets are nearly recovered by the time they visit her office. 9) Many problems she sees aren't serious, but are chronic in nature - (arthritis - chronic ear problems - chronic anal gland problems, etc.) that will never be cured - but rather that some unfortunate animals just seemed to have been cursed with and will require care for from time to time. She can do no better than your first vet could do with these problems. 10) Some problems can't be cured....regardless of how many vets you see or how many opinions you get. Of course, there are times when a second opinion is appropriate. Again, if our pet has a serious health problem that should be improving and isn't - if they are in pain, and we honestly hope that they might be better managed in this regard, or - if extremely expense surgery or life-threatening care is involved; we want to further investigate this. **** I am bringing this information up only because so many people here are so quick to say "get a second opinion" all the time -- regarding any problem. Brenda's advise certainly was to get a second opinion when it's appropriate and warranted....but, first give your first vet a chance to continue his care (which he can't do if you don't return to him) -- and don't waste your money and time visiting different vets when it's not necessary (which, she said, seldom is.) I know I have forgotten some of the points she brought up - but hopefully, I remembered most of them. --she did mention that people should insist that their vets make whatever information they are giving them understandable. Go to your vet with a list of questions you want answered and understand the answers before you leave the office. If you are confused about something when you get home, call the office back and ask that something be better explained. You need to understand your pet's health problems and what might be done for them. *** Brenda has one patient - a neurotic, hypochondriacal, pet owner (which none of us are) - who has her pet's records at six different vet's offices. Thankfully, her little dog has no serious problems. They just worry about everything, dream up exotic new diseases all the time, and like to visit the doctor. And, obviously, she can afford to pay the bills. Carol Jean __________________ http://tinypic.com/ipxhmb.jpg A Yorkie is worth a thousand words.