Seeking expert veterinary advice?

Question

We see it here all the time ... somebody asks, "What is wrong with my dog"? Then the inquisitor describes the symptoms. That's when the fun begins.

All the "licensed veterinarians" on YA are quick to chime in with an array of specific illnesses, as well as treatments for the afflictions. The only thing I haven't seen yet on YA is a valid prescription!
It's one thing when someone replys, "My dog has (had) ____, and these are my experiences ...". But folks here are quick to diagnose parvovirus, kennel cough, hip dysplasia et al, as well as treatments for these afflictions.
If I was a licensed veterinarian (I'm not), I would do a thorough hands on exam and possibly lab tests before I ever diagnosed a pet. You can't do that online!
So here's my question: What's worse ... people asking for veterinary advice (especially when it's obvious they should be at the vet), or folks offering veterinary advice (especially when they're not qualified)?

Hi DPowers - I don't believe it would be easy to spot parvo just because your dog had it. Remember ... we're online, not hands on. Also, are you so sure that there aren't other diseases with similar symptoms?

Armchair vets ... I like that one!

Hi M L - I'd rather see people say, "you dimwit" rather than something like, "OMG! Your dog has parvo! Get to the vet ASAP!"

Hi TickToc: Thumbs up for your comment on my avatar - my boy Bailey (7yrs old)

Hi mtpkt74: If people on YA didn't ask health questions about their dog, what would they talk about? I can think of a few things: nutrition, training, grooming, equipment, breeding etc. Heck, I'd love to read somebody chime in with a brag of something they accomplished with their dog! That would be refreshing.

Hi st.lady: You make an interesting point. I'd take Torbay Newfs dog advice over many of the top contributors on YA.

Answer 1

Offering, because the asker might take that advice and seriously harm the dog, or at the very least delay necessary treatment.

It amazes me how many people are willing to risk their dogs lives on the advice of a bunch of strangers on the internet.

Answer 2

I think that first and foremost, when people ask questions like this the response should be "take the dog to the vet you moron!" That being said, I think it is fine for people to offer up "it could be this or that" which will allow the person to go to the vet with a little more information. That way, if their dog is diganosed with parvo, perhaps when they got that possibility on YA they did some research on the disease. I would never say to someone - ohhh your dog definitely has such and such, but I have said, it could be this, it could be that, which are serious, you should see a vet, but these are some possibilities. I would hope that they would then go searching for more info on this and that (that's probably hoping too much eh?) and be more informed.

When I was ill and my doctor told me it could be an ulcer, it could be Chrone's, it could be irritable bowel, it could be (so on) I went home and looked up any and all info on those things so I knew what to ask my doctor when I finally saw the specialist.

And anyone that told me they were a vet here on YA, I would think they were lying. No responsible vet would diagnose over the internet. That said, this is an open forum and people should use it to gather information - never ever as the end all be all advice for their pet or their situation. If they do, that is irresponsible and dangerous, but I place the blame on their shoulders, not ours.

Answer 3

I know exactly what you mean. The idiots who want a home remedy for a broken leg...and then the people who come out with the most off-the-wall diagnoses and tell people to do things that should never be done to an animal! I am a vet tech, and I will sometimes say "it sounds like it could be...", but I always recommend GO TO THE VET for a proper diagnosis. I always say, the vet will be able to examine the dog and treat it accordingly. We are not vets, nor can we see the animal to actually say what the problem is. And I really don't know who is dumber...the ones who ask the question(I guess they're too cheap to get vet care for their pet) or the armchair vets doling out ignorant advice when they haven't got a clue what's actually going on. Good question!

Answer 4

I am a vet tech, have been working for animal shelters/clinics for about 8 years now. I understand your view, but can only say that maybe the advice given by others can make the pet owner ask their vet more specific questions that may help us out in narrowing the diagnosis. Any answer that I give, since I have not seen the dog or cat, should always end with "see your vet." But, you're right. People should not try to save money by asking questions like they do online. Hopefully after our advice they can go to their vet and ask many questions that we sparked.

Answer 5

You know, the only person I can speak for is myself on here. and you know, what you say is true, it should be hands on, but you can always offer advise or possiblities.. Like someone says my dog is vomiting and has bloody poop. I would say something like, sounds like it could be parvo, and being your dog is soo young, you should have the dog checked ASAP because it is not parvo that kills the dog it is the symptoms of parvo.. you honestly get tired of seeing it sometimes.. But I will say this, I will say (if middle of the night or on a weekend) give your dog some kayopectate to help stop the runs while you are trying to get a hold of the vet inorder to help the dog not dehydrate.

This is the thing, if people are on here with problems they are asking people for their advise and different diagnoses otherwise what would they have to ask? What is a good name for my dog?

My biggest thing is MOST of it is common sense anyways!

I worked in a medical office most of my life and the one thing they say, if its worth a call to the doctor after hours, its worth the trip to the hospital.. people wait though til after hours even though their animals had symptoms all day. Shoot, that how people die.. Here you have dogs that can't talk to youjust show symptoms and the owners can't do **** for them except as unexperianced people which will? likely end in death cause they waited to long.. just like people with signs of a heart attack that put it off put it off put it off and they know something is wrong, you have to read your dog..
If your dog is not acting right (which if you owned the dog a while you would know) would be worth the call..

Answer 6

It's a double edged sword - there is no right answer.
They're both doing a disservice to the animal. No licensed vet would waste time even trying to diagnose an animal they have never seen or evaluated.
Otherwise - you'd be able to order heartworm medication over the internet without it going through your vet. You can't - why? Because the dog needs to have been tested by a vet for heartworms in the last year so that random individuals with heartworm infected dogs don't buy the medication online - give it to their dog, and have it die as a result.

Answer 7

I totally disagree with you. I am not a licensed vet. I think a lot of people don't realize what bad shape their dog is in and so ask on here to save a buck. Admittedly that is pretty aweful, but at least they are trying to figure it out rather than letting it go on and on. And the people on here that are diagnosing are usually saying something to the equivalent of "You dimwit!!! Your dog could have something as serious as parvo! Get your dog to the vet NOW!". I have rarely seen people "diagnosing" by saying anything other than "sounds like 'X', go have a vet evaluate your dog." Hopefully this is a wakeup call for the people who SHOULD be at the vet to begin with.

Also, I have met a lot of vets, and most of them are complete morons (kindof like human doctors) that I wouldn't trust to put a bandaid on. I have seen some pretty knowledgeable answers on here.

Answer 8

You're silly. People ask because they want someone to tell them everything is ok. Most people tell them to go the the vet. It's the same thing when someone calls the vet for free advice, but doesn't want to take their animal in. A vet exam can determine what is wrong. Calm down though. No one is out to fake a DVM degree here.

Answer 9

I'm not a vet either. But I also know when to go to one too. When I see a question of this nature I always try to ask them to go to the vet. Some genuinely can't because of financial problems.
So to answer your question sir, No I don't give medical advice. I'm not qualified to do so.
What I do is help them find a way to pay for it.
Did that the other night and the pup is now on it's way to recovering. I've 3 lovely e-mails from the owner telling me so. Much more satisfying to me this way.

NOTE: Angela- Yes there are people who claim to be vets here. Yes there are people who claim to be Vet Tech's here.
So you know I personally have turned in 3 people who have falsely given those exact creditials from here.
As far I have been able to determine there is only 1 person who comes to this site who REALLY is a Vet Tech and the reason I know is because she live in the same state as I do and I have been able to confirm her position.
So I hope you see it does happen and it probably will continue.

Answer 10

You know, I'll be the first to admit that I'm no vet and I would never claim that I know what is wrong with someone's pet. But, if I hear someone explain something that sounds similar to what I've seen or been through myself, I will tell them my experience but also be sure to add that I am not a vet and to please go to a vet to get the correct diagnosis. I think sometimes it helps people to just hear what others have been through. Same goes for questions about humans. I am no doctor, but I will explain what I've been through if their problem sounds similar. And again, I will stress that I am not a doctor and they should please go to a real doctor for correct diagnosis.

P.S. Your dog (avatar) is just gorgeous!