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Can I change vet, or do I need referred by my vet?

weedug

Mama Doe
I have had my fingers burnt by going to another vet when my dog had had treatment from my original vet, so wondered if anyone knew where I stood in changing vet now.

One of my buns has been to my vet 3 times this week, but I'm not happy with how things are going. There has been no treatment given, just consults. If I decided to change vet, do I have to get my vet to refer me, or could I just register myself at another vet?

I just thought we might get seen quicker if I changed myself. But I don't want to take a poorly bun and be refused treatment when we get there.
 
I thought you could just change like you would with a doctor? :?

Apparently not, because I got my knuckles rapped a few weeks ago after my dog had had an op. Only the original vet should be seeing to her, other vets would only do emergency treatment.
 
I wasn't aware that you had to be referred by your original vet unless you were seeking referral to (say) a rabbit specialist.
 
It depends on whether you are actually changing vets for that animal in its entirety - i.e. transferring all the records and moving its care to another vet, or whether you are just seeking a second opinion but still intend to use the first vet. In the first case, yes you simply ring up the new vet, say you want to register at the practice, book an appointment, tell them where the animal's notes are and they will ring up your old practice and get the notes transferred over.

The second one is more tricky, and yes if you're after a second opinion/referral, you should really get the first vet to refer you. There is something in the veterinary code of conduct about it. Essentially, without the referral, the second vet doesn't have access to any of the clinical history or notes about that animal and the animal is technically under the care of the first vet. So either the first vet needs to do you a referral or you need to move the animal into the care of the second vet.

If any of that makes sense at all :lol:
 
If you are changing Vets permanently then you can just make an appointment with the new Practice. It's the going back and forth between different Vets whilst treating the same problem that is not appropriate.
 
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