Should You Get A Second Opinion?

I love my vet. She’s kind and communicative and always took wonderful care of the old, chronically ill cat I adopted during the pandemic. That cat, Pumpkin, was the kindest, gentlest, most loving cat I’ve ever had. I’m so glad I got to be his caretaker for the last few years of his life. But I didn’t know what I was signing up for when I adopted him. His chronic illness was only disclosed to me after I crossed state lines to pick him up, and even then, the rescue downplayed the severity of his condition. Two weeks after I brought him home, I was in a fancy vet’s office near my apartment paying $500 for a consultation where I was told my cat would need a $12,000 surgery to remove both ear canals. I couldn’t believe it. I also couldn’t afford it. 

I walked out of that appointment feeling like my only options were a surgery I couldn’t afford or a euthanasia I couldn’t justify. I cried and I worried and then I went out and got a second opinion.

“It’s never wrong to seek a second opinion,” says veterinarian, Dr. Lisa Cahn. “The one exception is in an emergency situation when seeking a second opinion could delay life-saving treatment.”

Pumpkin’s situation was urgent, but it wasn’t life-threatening.  

I’m sure there will be people who read this who will say that I should have just trusted the first vet and spent whatever it cost to heal my cat, but that was not an option for me and even if it was, vets are not infallible. Just because one vet thinks you should address an issue a certain way, doesn't mean that’s your only reasonable option. “Just like human medicine, veterinary medicine is a complex field that is constantly changing,” says Dr. Cahn. “While some cases are cut and dry, others are more open to interpretation, which can vary based on when and where your vet went to school, and their personal interests and experiences. A vet’s ability to make a diagnosis [and implement a treatment plan] can also be limited by an owner’s financial constraints.”

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That was certainly the case for me. It was simply not feasible to spend $12,000 on Pumpkin’s ear surgery. I didn’t have pet insurance, nor could I get any. Pumpkin was 14 when I adopted him and at the time no insurance company would sign on a new cat over 13 years old. And even if they had, his ear issues would not have been covered, because they would be considered a pre-existing condition.

At the time, veterinary offices in New York were overburdened and understaffed and I struggled to find a primary vet I could afford who was taking on new clients. 

I did find one eventually, via a referral from a friend who worked as a rescuer and foster, but the office was over an hour from my home by train and when I got there, I had to drop Pumpkin at the door and then walk around the neighborhood for a couple of hours waiting for the vet to call.

When she did, she told me that although surgery was certainly a good option, it wasn’t the only option. We discussed it and she put Pumpkin on two different medications and those, paired with regular cleanings at home, kept him comfortable and his condition at bay for over a year and a half, during which he spent ever day curled up on my desk while i wrote and every night cuddling in my arms. 

Pumpkin did die eventually, but all living things do. Could he have lived longer if he’d had the surgery? Maybe. But not necessarily. The more invasive and expensive option isn’t always the best option, especially if it is going to cripple you financially.

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If you find yourself wanting a second opinion — either because your pet’s treatment isn’t going as planned, or your vet doesn’t have enough experience treating their particular issue, or simply because you’re looking for a less-invasive or more affordable treatment option — don’t be afraid to seek one out. “Second opinions are very common,” says Dr. Cahn, “and your vet should not be offended by you wanting one as long as you approach them in a respectful way. Veterinarians choose this profession because we are passionate about animals and dedicated to their health and happiness. Just like you, we want the best for your pet, and sometimes that means collaborating with other vets or having a client go elsewhere.”

Depending on what kind of pet insurance you have, visits to additional veterinarians for second or even third opinions could be completely covered, so consult your policy, if you have one. 

Once you make your appointment, ask your previous veterinarian to send over all your pet’s medical records to the new office as soon as possible. “You will get the most out of your second opinion if the vet has a chance to review medical records before your appointment,” says Dr. Cahn. “This should include a timeline of symptoms, the results of any diagnostic tests, and what treatments have been tried so far. You can then ask if the new vet agrees with the assessment and treatment plan laid out by your previous vet and how they would recommend moving forward. Keep in mind, though, that things change over time. Ultimately, the decision of which veterinarian to trust with your pet's care is yours. You can choose to return to your primary vet, continue with the second opinion vet, or even explore other options such as a specialist.”

Whatever you choose, as long as you approach your decision with care and compassion, it will be the right decision.