Clients are often amazed when I refer them to a specialist for their pet's particular problem. I hear, "You're kidding me! There are actually veterinary cardiologists (or oncologists)?"
Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. In the veterinary field are about 19 veterinary-board-certified specialty fields.
These include dermatology, ophthalmology, oncology, neurology, cardiology, internal medicine, surgery and emergency medicine.
These specialists have completed four years of college, four more years of veterinary school (like all veterinarians) and an additional two to three years of residency in their specialty.
We are lucky to have many specialists in South Florida. Some travel, allowing you to have your pet examined and treated at your own primary-care veterinarian's office.
However, depending on your pet's needs, you might be forced to drive him or her an hour or two to get to the specialist you need.
Specialist practices are often 24-hour-care centers, because they are dealing with the sickest of the sick - pets needing round-the-clock monitoring and medicating.
Not only are these centers staffed by doctors with more advanced training, but they also have access to more advanced and expensive equipment (such as computed tomography scanners and dialysis machines) and can therefore perform more advanced diagnostics, too. Board-certified surgeons can perform total hip replacements and advanced knee reconstruction.
Radioactive iodine treatment is available in these centers for treatment of hyperthyroidism in cats.
Oncologists are available for treating your pet's cancer, using chemotherapy and radiation.
Advanced diagnostics and greater quality of medical care does come with a higher cost, of course.
But for people who consider their pet part of the family, the best possible care is what they want.
Dr. Mary Fondren, a graduate of N.C.S.U. School of Veterinary Medicine, has been practicing in the Palm Beaches, since 1987. Her Fondren Pet Care Center is in Palm Beach Gardens. To email her, visit www.fondrenpetcare.com and click on the Residences link.
