Why do people come on here asking health questions about their pets when the obvious answer is to see a vet?

Question

So many times people ask questions here to which the answer is to take their pet to a vet as soon as they can, if not immediately.

A pet is a huge responsibility and it can be costly. Spaying or neutering is a must, annual check ups are a must and if a pet is ill it needs to see a vet just like you would take a child to a doctor if he was ill.

If you can't afford basic care then you shouldn't have a pet.

Answer 1

I completely agree!! While some of the questions are simply people asking for a second opinion a lot of them make me just want to scream "ARE YOU DENSE?!!!!" lol I think the ones that get me the most are "My dog just got hit by a car" and "My dog has a huge gash and is gushing blood what should I do?" lol. I've seen these two in different form several times. It would appear obvious that you have to take the animal to a hospital just as you would a child. What do you think these people do with their children?!! That's scary. I am careful with these questions though cause sometimes the person has already taken their dog and is just wanting to make sure they did the right thing. I just wish they would say that so they don't get somebody blasting them telling them to go right now and such!! Hey thanks for the venting opportunity! :-)

Answer 2

I will ask questions to see if anyone else is having the same problem or has had the same problem. Sometimes I like to know other peoples outcomes of whatever the problem is and/or what type of treatments their vet gave their pet. If it is a life or death situation, I do not have time to post an question. I go straight to the Animal Clinic. Regardless of what anyone says here, I still take mine to the vet anyway. I do not use the answers I receive as a way to diagnose my pets problems. As far as what you are talking about, maybe someone does not have the money to take their pet to the vet or they just panic. When one of my dogs was hit by a car years ago, I shot out like a cannon and called the vet on the way. Thank God it was only a broke hip and not any internal injuries. I guess different people deal with things differently. I hope you get your answer.

Answer 3

I agree
but sometimes people are paniced and want a second opinion if they should see a vet or not... some times they are certainly looking for cheap/free help - but really even a vet wouldnt diagnose a pet over the internet...
I suppose if an pet emergency comes up when the clinics are closed or people are waiting for the vet to call back - posting a question here isnt too bad as long as people are not too quick to take wrong advice

Answer 4

I agree....if it is a behavior problem I can see asking a question on here, as I have done before, but if it is a health problem then a vet needs to be contacted immediately. I would never ask for advice on here about my cats health problems....who knows what someone would say, and would you blindly follow the advice? Never! Without having the animal in front of them to physically examine they can't make a proper diagnosis and can't prescribe medicine. I have always said that if you can't afford vet bills then you should not have a pet.

Answer 5

Some little things can be treated at home. Just like every time people have a problem we don't run to the doctor. Yes, I agree, the vet would be the best place to go to get your pet's health questions answered but it not always possible or practical, depending on the situation...

Answer 6

I agree 100% and I have thought about this too. I have come to the conclusion that the people who ask these questions can't afford to take their animals to the vet and want to exhaust every possible home remedy before biting the bullet and going to the vet. And then still, they may not follow through and the result is that their pet suffers. It breaks my heart. But it's not only this way with pets. Many people have children without realizing the responsibilty that comes with parenthood. Oh, the calamity......

Answer 7

They are cheap low-life losers!!!!!!! We know that they have a computer and internet access. Those things cost money. They usually have a cell phone, cigs, and money to go out. They just do not want the money to be spent on the vet!!! And there are several that have used the "I feed my kids first" excuse!!! It didn't stop them from getting a pet!!!!!! They get the pets for the kids, and then when it gets sick, they can' t or won't get it to a vet until it is half dead!!! And they will blame vets for not taking payments, and being too expensive!!!! These type of people are used to blaming everyone but themselves!!!!!
They can take the kids to the doctor because we are all paying for that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 8

Sometimes it's just cheaper to ask someone who's been in that situation before than to run to a vet everytime your pet has a tummy-ache. Though I agree, some of the questions I've read made me shake my head and I couldn't yell "can you say vet?" loud enough! But on the other hand, it once costed me $50 to find out my dog had indigestion from eating potato peelings from the neighbors compost pile (kept next to my fence) and was told to give her some peptobismal. Now I do a little research before rushing to the vet when one of my dogs are a little "under the weather".

Answer 9

I AGREE TOTALLY
If you cant afford a vet dont get a pet
That is a major responsibility for a pet owner.
If you can't be one, let a caring owner have your pet.
They should buy a pet rock,or a stick

Answer 10

becuz if it isnt that serious y bother spending $ goingt o the vet when real vets have yahoo accounts and could answer ur questions...well u are right in some ways cuz if it is really serious they shouldnt waste time waiting for an answer for a month u could go to a vet and get an answer in a half hour to an hour....but u are right