AAHA releases guidelines for veterinary specialist referrals

For general practitioners, navigating when and how to refer a case is a necessary but potentially complex process. Not only do they need to take into consideration their capacity and specialists’ availability, but also client expectations for a seamless experience and clear communication.

On February 26, the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) released the 2025 AAHA Referral Guidelines to provide a framework that fosters stronger partnerships between primary care teams (PCTs) and specialty care teams (SCTs).

“For the first time, we’re providing a detailed roadmap that benefits everyone involved—primary care teams, specialty care teams, and, most importantly, our patients and their families,” wrote Dr. Genesis Jones, co-chair of the task force that prepared the guidelines, in an AAHA announcement.

The guidelines establish three referral collaboration models:

1. General collaborative conversations: Discussions among veterinary professionals to exchange general insights without addressing specific patient cases.
2. Professional-to-professional consultations: Conversations focused on specific cases, where a PCT seeks advice from a specialist without transferring care.
3. Hands-on referrals: Formal process transferring patient care to a SCT for direct case management.

The guidelines also cover the importance of referral coordinators, who act as the primary point of contact, ensuring consistent communication and proper transfer of medical records. Dr. Jones said in an interview with AVMA News that a referral coordinator could be a veterinary technician or customer service representative. This person would help mitigate frustration by, for example, making sure the specialty hospital has all the information it needs and managing client expectations.

Furthermore, the guidelines reinforce the importance of post-referral responsibilities to ensure a smooth transition back to primary care; highlight teleconsultation as a vital tool in evolving veterinary care delivery models; and advocate for the use of web-based referral portals to facilitate information exchange. Dr. Jones cited BluePearl’s online referral portal as one example of technology that greatly helps with coordination of care.

“By having (a web portal) and getting updates from the specialty center, I know what’s going on. That takes away the need for the specialist to communicate with me at every part of referral,” she said. “Of course, when something has happened that I need to be updated on right away, the expectation is I get call, like when a pet is euthanized, but this frees up time for everyone involved.”

Additional resources are a poster and graphic that summarize the guidelines at a glance.

“What makes me particularly optimistic about these guidelines is their potential to transform how we think about referral relationships. They’re not just about improving processes—they’re about building stronger professional relationships, enhancing patient care, and ultimately creating better outcomes for everyone involved,” said Dr. Jones, a senior associate veterinarian at a general practice and urgent care veterinary hospital, in the announcement.