Second opinions

RE: Second opinions

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 22:21:53 GMT

[quote userid="7542" url="~/f/clinical-questions/31351/second-opinions/248768#248768"]Would you be comfortable accepting referrals if the owner is stating upfront that fault finding with the other vet is the main motivation ? [/quote]

No.

Several times in the past when I was in general practice, I declined to give a second opinion because my level of knowledge or expertise on the condition in question was no better than that of any other veterinary surgeon.

RE: Second opinions

Vet2Vet — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 20:16:38 GMT

Totally , exactly

RE: Second opinions

Beats — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 19:35:15 GMT

I am deeply suspicious of any client trying to transfer from another vet without having changed address. Our receptionists would consider "I am not happy with my vet" a fairly large red flag... we want happy clients in general.

RE: Second opinions

Alasdair Hotston Moore — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 15:42:55 GMT

In my experience this usually only becomes apparent when set as an ambush

RE: Second opinions

Alasdair Hotston Moore — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 15:41:57 GMT

Not sure it really matters? I’d avoid conflict in either case as it serves no purpose

RE: Second opinions

Vet2Vet — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 14:14:54 GMT

Would you be comfortable accepting referrals if the owner is stating upfront that fault finding with the other vet is the main motivation ?

RE: Second opinions

Vet2Vet — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 14:12:37 GMT

Not specialist or referral level

RE: Second opinions

David Mills — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 12:09:23 GMT

"Symptoms never lie but sometimes they take a while to speak"

2nd opinions fall into two categories I find

- genuine frustration with conditions (whether due to the condition, expectation management, or over zealous approach). See a lot more with the rise of defensive medicine and throwing a load of tests at things (even when the interpretation of those tests is questionable).

- unrealistic owner expectations, people wanting a magic bullet for an incurable condition or can't put the time in and want to transfer guilt to someone else (normally the "I'm an animal lover" brigade). Often try and play vets off against each other by bending the truth/lying. Often find trying to send these to a specialist gives them a reality check when it comes to cost.

There's never a reason to criticise another vet's care to a client. As above simply saying I am seeing your animal today and the exam the other day/week/month sounds to have been different. If they persist I normally say something along the lines of it wouldn't be professional for me to comment, let's concentrate on Fluffy should we?

RE: Second opinions

Clive Ansell — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 10:20:30 GMT

[quote userid="8663" url="~/f/clinical-questions/31351/second-opinions/248761#248761"]I’ve often come to a different view than a previous clinician.[/quote]

But in your case, would you be offering a specialist or referral level opinion where the first opinion was from a GP vet?; as opposed to a second opinion from another GP vet, as would be the case with me?

RE: Second opinions

Alasdair Hotston Moore — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 09:33:52 GMT

I’ve often come to a different view than a previous clinician. But be guided by the principle that “ I wasn’t there when the first diagnosis or treatment decision was made so can’t know how it was made. Besides the case has developed further so we now have new information to work with”.
rarely caused conflict in three decades of referral work

Almost never need to be critical of a vet to the client.