What to Say When You Bring a Specialist Into the Case
By the DVM STAT clinical team · 4 min read
Clients say yes to teleconsultation when they understand one thing: their pet now has a team. Here is the core message, the questions to expect, and three exam room scripts your team can use today.
The core message: a team approach
Frame the consult as a second set of eyes from a board-certified specialist, working directly with you behind the scenes. Four points carry the conversation:
The best of both worlds. The comfort of the veterinarian they know, plus specialist expertise.
You stay in charge. You remain the main point of contact and apply the recommendations to their pet.
Faster and often more affordable. No referral wait or travel, and the right diagnostics are chosen from the start.
A full review. The specialist sees the complete history, lab work, diagnostics, and your clinical questions.
Two things your team should know first
The VCPR. The specialist does not communicate with the client. All findings come to you, and you relay them.
Referral still has a place. If an in-person referral is the best medical option, the specialist will recommend it. If the case can be safely managed in-house, the specialist will provide diagnostic, treatment and monitoring guidance.
Questions clients ask, and how to answer
Scripts for the exam room
Complex medical cases
"Your pet has several conditions that are manageable on their own but more complicated together. I'd like to bring a board-certified specialist into the case so the three of us can choose the best plan. The specialist works remotely through a teleconsultation group. I'll send them your pet's full history, test results, and treatments so far. You keep seeing us here, and your pet gets a specialist's input."
Cardiology cases
"We can perform the same cardiac diagnostics a cardiologist would, right here, and send them to a board-certified cardiologist for interpretation. You don't need to travel. If the specialist recommends more testing, we'll decide together when to schedule it. They report directly to me, and I'll go over the results with you and give you a copy of the report."
Emergency and critical care
"We can bring a board-certified critical care specialist into your pet's care without you leaving the building. I'll call their 24/7 line and send all of your pet's records and test results. They'll guide us on the next steps and stay with us as treatment starts, helping us adjust as your pet responds."
Want these scripts on hand for your whole team? The free DVM STAT template kit includes client talking points, email and social announcements, and lobby flyers. Download the free templates. New to DVM STAT? Create your free account.
