Question:
: : : Hi,
: : : I posted a question on patellar luxation and agility the other day. Heather answered my question, and she was so helpful. On the basis of her answer, I decided to get a second opinion for my dog. We had taken her to her regular vet--a "general practitioner" so to speak--and he told us she had stage 1 patellar luxation that would probably never require surgery. But Heather suggested that most cases eventually do, and I would like to see a vet orthopedist. I do not feel comfortable asking my vet for a recommendation, because he is a friend of our family and he would probably be offended--he was very firm in his diagnosis. I am just wondering if at you have any suggestions for finding a vet orthopedist. There are no listings in our phone book, and we have no teaching hospitals within 4-5 hours of our home. I have done numerous internet searches and looked through the JRTCA website and cannot find a directory of vet orthopedists. I don't even know the abbreviation (like DVM) that signifies a vet who specializes in orthopedic surgery. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
: : : Thank you so much,
: : : Jamie Irwin
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: : Hi Jamie,
: : Try calling your nearest Vet school and asking then. That is your only option and since you don't want to ask your Vet. My Vet school is 4 hours a way and it would be well worth the trip to have peach of mind.
: : Since you don't say where you are located, I really don't know how to help.
: : Regards
: : Linda
: ------------------ Response Area -------------------
: Hi Jamie,
: If your vet is a true friend, he will not be offended if you ask for a reccomendation for an orthopedist. If he got upset, it would not only be immature, but extremely unprofessional.
: Some specialists take appointments only by referral, so you may need to ask him anyway, or see another "general" vet to get a referral.
: You may find an orthopedist by contacting the American Veterinary Medical Association. I have linked their website below. You can also contact the board of veterinary medicine in your state to see if they give list of orthopedists; they should also have record of any complaints received on doctors if you want to check that out.
: Please speak to your own vet though. There should be no reason to be embarrassed to talk to him. He should want what's best for your pet, and if you feel getting a second, third or even tenth opinion is best for your pup, then he should be more than willing to help you do so.
: Heather
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Oops! Here's the link.
