How Do I Decide If I Need To Find a Surgical Specialist?

Your veterinary medical “team” should be made up of you, the general practice veterinarian the AVH Board certified veterinary homeopath (CVH), and a specialist when needed.

Difficult surgical cases may be best managed by a specialist. When a referral is indicated, your veterinary homeopath will discuss this process you.

The ACVS’s (surgical Board) five questions to ask your vet before your pet has a surgical procedure:

1. “How often does your vet perform this surgery?
2. Does the surgery require special equipment and is it readily available?
3. Does my pet’s surgery require a specialist?
4. What should I expect the outcome of the surgery to be?
5. What follow-up care is necessary?”

And I would add a sixth and seventh questions:

1. Which anesthetic protocol will be used?
2. Will my pet be monitored closely by trained personnel (other than the surgeon) both during and after surgical anesthesia?

Find a Board-certified veterinary surgeon here: