Primary Care Veterinarians
Your Role as a Primary Care Veterinarian
As a primary care veterinarian, you are the foundation of your patients’ care. You’re often the first point of contact for pet owners, providing critical preventive care, wellness exams, and early disease detection. Your familiarity with your patients’ medical histories allows you to detect when advanced care is needed and guide pet owners toward the right next steps. By referring cases to veterinary specialists, you ensure your patients receive expert, tailored care for their unique needs.
This collaboration—known as the Triad of Care—connects you, the pet owner, and a board-certified veterinary specialist to form a team focused on achieving the best outcomes for your patients. Together, this partnership elevates the quality of care you can offer and strengthens your relationships with clients.
Who Makes up the Triad of Care?
Animal Owner
Animal owners make the most important decisions on behalf of their pets. They rely on veterinary professionals, including primary care veterinarians and specialists, to provide accurate, clear, and thoughtful guidance to make informed choices for their animal's health and wellbeing.
Primary Care Veterinarian
You are the cornerstone of your patient’s care. With your knowledge of the pet’s lifetime medical history—routine visits, vaccinations, past illnesses, and treatments—you provide invaluable context for current medical issues. When a specialist becomes involved, they depend on your detailed records and observations to develop a comprehensive care plan tailored to the animal's unique needs.
Veterinary Specialist
Specialists bring advanced training and expertise in specific areas of veterinary medicine, such as neurology, oncology, cardiology, or internal medicine. They are called in for consultation when complex or advanced medical conditions arise. Collaboration is key: veterinary specialists work closely with you to align diagnostic findings, treatments, and follow-ups, ensuring continuity of care for your shared patient.
Courses for Primary Care Veterinarians
The Triad of Care Insider
Beyond the Clinic Podcast
Enhance Your Practice at the ACVIM Forum
The ACVIM Forum is the leading conference for veterinary professionals, offering cutting-edge education, hands-on learning, and invaluable networking opportunities. With expert-led sessions across various topics in specialty medicine, attendees gain the latest insights to advance their practice. Explore the ACVIM Forum today!
