Veterinary specialists are veterinarians that have advanced training in an area of specialty medicine (such as oncology or neurology) with a specific animal species (such as small or large animals). Vet specialists undergo four years of undergraduate training as well as four years of veterinary school, just like other veterinarians. Veterinary specialists also complete an internship or residency in their specific field, which includes an additional three to five years of training. If a veterinary specialist decides to become board certified, they will go through advanced training and then pass an examination administered for their specialty.

The Triad of Care is made up of the animal owner, primary veterinarian and veterinary specialist and can be thought of as a collaborative partnership that will benefit your pet’s wellness. Whether your primary care veterinarian referred you to a veterinary specialist or you went looking for one on your own, think of your visit to a specialist as an extension of your primary veterinarian’s knowledge. Together, you, your primary care veterinarian and the specialist will communicate and work as a team for your animal.

As a pet owner, it is your responsibility to continuously monitor your pet’s health and ensure that they are receiving the best care possible. The sooner that you are able to recognize the signs that your pet may be experiencing a medical issue, the better it can be for your pet’s prognosis and treatment options. It is important to talk to your veterinarian to learn more about veterinary specialists and locate veterinary clinics near you in order to be prepared for any medical condition or emergency that your pet may experience.

Changes in your pet’s behavioral patterns

Behavioral changes are common in both people and pets, and they can vary for a multitude of reasons. However, if your pet begins acting erratically different in only a short amount of time, they may be alerting you to a medical issue. A few of these behavioral warning signs in your pet can include difficulty walking or a lack of balance, clear uninterest in eating/drinking, and excessive vocalization (barking, meowing). As the primary caregiver, you are most aware of your pet’s typical behaviors and will most likely notice a distinct change if they are disrupted.

Physical signs of distress in your pet

While behavioral signs of distress can be harder to detect, sudden changes with your pet’s physical wellbeing can often be more recognizable. If your pet begins to show these signs of distress, it may require a veterinary specialist appointment or an emergency visit, depending on the severity of the medical issue. If your pet is having difficulty breathing, having seizures, excessively vomiting and/or is unresponsive- this may warrant an immediate visit to an emergency animal hospital. Some less noticeable signs may include discoloration of the gums (brick red or blueish purple may indicate blood loss or circulatory issues) difficulties with defecation or urination or signs of blood in your pet’s fecal matter/vomit. Although these signs may seem to be less severe, they can still indicate a serious medical condition and your pet should be brought to see a veterinary specialist as soon as possible. 

When preparing to bring your pet to your initial appointment with a veterinary specialist there are a few things that you should consider before your appointment to ensure that it goes smoothly.

• Medical Records: Whether you are referred by your primary vet or you find a veterinary specialist on your own, you will need to have a record of your pet’s previous medical history and the name of the veterinarians that they have seen in the past. Generally, the veterinary specialist that you meet with will take care of obtaining those medical records and other medical information from your previous veterinarian(s).
• Withholding food: Depending on if you are visiting a veterinary specialist for a surgical procedure, you may be asked to withhold food from your pet before your appointment (with the exception of water), to ensure accurate results from certain tests or procedures.
• Medications: Your veterinary specialists may ask you to bring in your pet’s medications in their original containers - so that they can accurately record them.
• Insurance and payment: If you have pet insurance, you should bring that with you to your first veterinary specialist appointment. You will also need a form of payment, as it is generally due at the time of service.

The veterinary specialization process is very similar to the process human doctors go through. Once someone becomes a veterinarian, they then complete a year-long internship rotating through a variety of the most common specialties. After completing an internship, they can then apply for a residency in a specific area of veterinary medicine. They will complete advanced training with established specialists in that discipline. Residencies are usually conducted in large veterinary hospitals, such as universities with veterinary schools or big referral practices. Residency training lasts anywhere from 3-4 years, depending on the discipline. The training includes a combination of clinical practice (seeing patients), learning new skills (like ultrasound or scoping procedures) and conducting research for publication in scholarly journals in preparation for an extensive certification exam.

Most specialists will evaluate your pet whether you’ve taken your pet to see a primary care veterinarian first or not. However, it is often very helpful (and can save you time and money) to consult with your primary care veterinarian first, as some conditions are commonly managed by a general practitioner. Even if your pet does need specialty help, it can be of benefit to have your primary care veterinarian start by sharing information about your pet’s history with the referral clinic. This would include physical exam findings, test results and previously attempted treatments. They can also help direct you to the proper kind of veterinary specialist for your pet’s particular condition. 

Primary veterinarians typically treat a broad variety of animals and conditions and give advice to animal owners on the best care for their pets. Your primary vet is generally the person that you will share any concerns or questions about your pet’s general health with and seek advice for a referral to a veterinary specialist if there is any advanced diagnosis or treatment needed. Veterinary specialists are Board-certified veterinarians who have completed advanced training in various veterinary medical and surgical disciplines. Currently, there are more than 20 recognized veterinary specialty organizations and over 40 different veterinary specialties. Typically, your primary vet will refer you to a veterinary specialist if your pet's health problem requires specialized equipment or expertise that your animal's primary care veterinarian does not have.

The terms ‘specialist’ and ‘Board-certified’ are used interchangeably to designate the same thing. If a vet is advertising as being a ‘veterinary specialist’, you can check to see if they are Board-certified using the VetSpecialists.com search function.

• Veterinary Cardiologists specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with cardiac disease, abnormal heart rhythms and congenital (born with) heart defects.
• Veterinary Dentists specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of oral problems ranging from dental cleanings to tooth extractions to jaw fractures.
• Veterinary Dermatologists specialize in the diagnosis and management of various skin diseases and allergies.
• Veterinary Internal Medicine Specialists (small animal and large animal) specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with chronic conditions including those affecting the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and endocrine systems.
• Veterinary Neurologists specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with brain, nervous system and back problems such as seizures and intervertebral disc disease.
• Veterinary Nutritionists specialize in the development of diets to support a patients specific needs and the combination of underlying diseases processes they have such as the best choices for kidney disease or sensitivities to certain foods.
• Veterinary Oncologists specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with cancer including the administration of chemotherapy or immunotherapy.
• Veterinary Ophthalmologists specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with conditions affecting the eyes and eyelids including dry eye, cataracts, ulcers and glaucoma.
• Veterinary Radiologists specialize in the interpretation of diagnostic images including radiographs (x-rays), CAT scans, ultrasounds and MRIs.
• Veterinary Surgeons specialize in the surgical correction of both soft tissue and orthopedic abnormalities such as fracture repairs, ACL tears, foreign body removal, and much more.
• Emergency and Critical Care Veterinary Specialists specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of life-threatening conditions on an emergent basis.

View a list of recognized veterinary specialties here >>

 

Board-certified Veterinary Cardiologists focus on diagnosing and treating diseases of the heart and some lung conditions. If your pet is diagnosed with a condition such as Congestive Heart Failure, high blood pressure or cardiac tumors, you may want to ask your primary veterinarian if a referral to a Veterinary Cardiologist is right for you. Read more about Veterinary Cardiologists and the conditions they treat.

LAIM (Large Animal Internal Medicine) Specialists are uniquely qualified to diagnose and manage a wide variety of health conditions in large animal species such as horses, cattle, goats, sheep, alpacas, llamas and others. If you are the owner of a large animal that has been diagnosed with a condition that is uncommon or requires an advanced procedure, your pet may benefit from a referral to a Large Animal Internal Medicine Veterinary Specialist. Read more about the different diagnosis and treatment options offered by LAIM Specialists. 

 

Veterinary Nutritionists treat conditions related to diet and nutrition including food allergies, weight management and other specific diseases that are affected by nutrition. Nutritionists are also qualified to formulate commercial foods and supplements, formulate home-prepared diets and manage the complex medical and nutritional needs of individual animals. Your primary veterinarian may refer you to seek a consultation from a Veterinary Nutritionist in order to keep your pet healthy, prevent diseases and help manage illness with the appropriate nutrition. Read more about the different conditions treated by Veterinary Nutritionists.

Veterinary Neurologists treat conditions that affect the brain, spinal cord, muscles, and nerves of animals. If your pet begins having difficulty using their legs, having seizures, unusual episodic events or behavioral changes, your primary veterinarian may refer you to see a Veterinary Neurologist to diagnose and perform advanced testing such as an MRI or Cat Scan. Veterinary Neurologist’s are skilled with the unique ability to perform these specialized tests that allow them to determine the exact cause of your pet’s condition, and available treatment options. Read more about the tests and treatments performed by Veterinary Neurologists.

Small Animal Internal Medicine Specialists are veterinarians with advanced training in internal medicine in small animals, such as cats and dogs. These veterinary specialists treat animals that have health conditions related to the stomach, kidney, liver, and more. If your pet is diagnosed with a disease that requires advanced care from an internal medicine specialist, your primary veterinarian may refer you to a Small Animal Internal Medicine Veterinary Specialist for further testing and treatment. Read more about the conditions that Small Animal Internal Medicine Veterinary Specialists treat.

Veterinary Oncologists are equipped with skills and extensive training in diagnosing and treating various types of cancers and malignant tumors in animals. If your pet is diagnosed with cancer or if your primary veterinarian discovers a possible cancerous mass that requires additional testing, you may want to seek out treatment from a Veterinary Oncologist. Once the cancer is diagnosed, the Veterinary Oncologist will work with you and your primary veterinarian to develop a treatment plan, such as chemotherapy or radiation, that will work best for your pet. Learn about the different reasons to seek care from a Veterinary Oncologist.

Specialists have equipment that a primary care veterinarian may not have, as well as the extra training by which to diagnose and treat complex problems. Therefore, you will likely pay for access to these tools and expertise to help your pet get better. However, your pet’s specialist will be able to work with you long-term to manage your pet’s condition, recheck them as needed and tailor their treatments over time. You can speak with your primary veterinarian to find out more about the potential cost of treatment, based on your pet's medical condition.