>>>Right about what<<<

That *lay people* as you call us, are unqualified to ask for a 2nd opinion or be referred to a specialist.

Nobody has to be a trained vet to ask for those.

You don't need any qualifications to ask for a second opinion.

My ex vet didn`t know his limitations, he diagnosed osteo-sarcoma in a 5mth puppy I bred after xrays. I have a letter he wrote to the owners saying he would be dead within 3mths. I had the awful task of telling the owners when they returned from UK as pup was staying with me when I found the lump & it was me who took him the vet. Lump disappeared, hes turned 6 years old & very much alive, fit, healthy & enjoying life :D

I have no idea how easy that is to diagnose. 

Does it matter if you know how easy it is or not isobel, you are not a vet so couldnt give a qualified opinion on how hard or easy it is to diagnose. This simply shows that vets can be wrong.

We know vets can be wrong they are human but what we as laypeople don't know is when it is unreasonable. 

>you are not a vet so couldnt give a qualified opinion

Exactly :)