What to Expect When Your Pet Is Referred to a Veterinary Specialist

I recognize that when a pet needs to see a veterinary specialist, the experience can feel overwhelming. Many pet parents feel anxious, worried, frustrated, or even frightened. I understand these emotions deeply; I’ve experienced them myself as a pet owner.

Every board-certified veterinary specialist recognizes how stressful this moment can be. Because of that awareness, we actively work to make visits to our hospitals as calm, compassionate, and stress-free as possible.

Below are important things to know before your pet’s appointment with a veterinary specialist, so you can feel prepared and confident going into the consultation.

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A Veterinary Specialist Consultation Starts Before Your Pet Arrives

Once your primary care veterinarian recommends (or you request) a referral, a few key steps should happen right away.

Schedule the Appointment Promptly

Veterinary specialists often manage very full schedules. Like human specialists, same-day appointments usually are not feasible. Contact the specialist’s hospital as soon as possible to secure the earliest available consultation.

Ask About Fasting Requirements

When you schedule the visit, ask whether your pet should fast beforehand. Specialists often request a 12-hour food fast so they can perform certain blood tests accurately if needed. In most cases, pets should continue to have access to fresh water.

Many pet parents worry that fasting feels unkind. However, doctors ask people to fast before bloodwork for the same reason. If I recommend a diagnostic test and ask you to invest in it, I need to trust the results. Improper fasting alters laboratory values and makes results unreliable. That situation often leads to repeat testing, additional blood draws, and increased cost.

Some pets should not fast, including:

• Puppies and kittens
• Toy breeds with a history of hypoglycemia
• Pets with conditions such as diabetes mellitus

If fasting concerns you, ask your family veterinarian to contact the specialist as soon as possible.

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Specialists Cannot Provide Medical Advice Before the Consultation

By law and professional standards, veterinary specialists cannot offer medical recommendations before examining your pet. If you have questions before the visit, even about the condition that prompted the referral, contact your family veterinarian. Your primary care veterinarian may also communicate directly with the specialist on your behalf.

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Send Complete Medical Records in Advance

Ask your family veterinarian to send complete medical records to the specialist as early as possible. These records should include:

• Doctor’s notes
• Laboratory results
• Radiographs (X-rays) and imaging reports

A summary of services rendered does not qualify as a medical record. When records arrive late or incomplete, valuable consultation time is lost. That delay can extend your pet’s hospital stay and reduce the time the specialist can spend with you and your pet.

I also recommend requesting a copy of the records for yourself and bringing them to the appointment. Specialists thrive on details. We review everything line by line to ensure the most accurate assessment.

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Videos of Symptoms Can Be Extremely Helpful

Some medical problems are difficult to describe with words alone. Videos often provide critical clarity. If possible, record and bring videos of issues such as:

• Vomiting, regurgitation, or retching
• Lameness
• Abnormal behaviors (such as star-gazing)
• Abnormal urination or defecation posture
• Changes in breathing

These recordings can significantly improve diagnostic accuracy.

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Bring All Medications, Supplements, and Vitamins

Please bring every medication, supplement, and vitamin your pet receives. Even when records exist, the information in them often differs from what happens at home. Clear, accurate details allow us to make better medical decisions.

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Veterinary Specialist Consultations Take More Time

Specialist consultations take longer than routine wellness visits. Most last at least 60 minutes.

During the visit, the specialist will:

• Ask detailed questions
• Perform a thorough physical examination
• Review records and diagnostic findings

In many cases, your pet may stay in the hospital for part or all of the day so the team can complete advanced diagnostics, such as ultrasound. You will typically return later the same day for discharge.

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You Will Meet a Skilled and Compassionate Team

From the moment you arrive, a dedicated team will support your pet and your family. You will meet:

• Client service representatives
• Veterinary technicians/nurses (RVT, CVT, LVT, VN)
• Veterinary Technician Specialists (VTS) with advanced training and board certification

Please answer all questions thoroughly. When a technician asks about medications, avoid responses such as, “That’s in the record.” What matters most is what your pet actually receives at home.

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Your Family Veterinarian Will Stay Fully Informed

Veterinary specialists strongly believe in the triad of care, a partnership between pet parents, primary care veterinarians, and specialists. After the consultation, we share medical records and diagnostic results with your family veterinarian. That collaboration ensures everyone involved works from the same information.

Teamwork allows us to deliver the best possible care for your pet.