REAL vs FAKE Vets on Answers?

Question

I have stayed away from Answers for a while. However, I decided, since I am home sick from work, to pop back on and see what I have been missing.

I have seen a few concerns posted about "fake" Vets and "fake" Vet Technicans posting on Answers. This is very bothersome.

So, here are my questions:

1) When you ask a question are you more opt to take the advice of someone who simply writes "I'm a Vet"; "Vet"; "DVM"; "My Vet Degree"; "Vet Technican", "CVT", etc. OR does that deter you knowing how members have been "faking" recently?

2) How do we know who is for real and who is not? Do we call these members out? Do we report them to Yahoo? It worries me that people will take horrible advice just because they write "I'm a Vet" or "I'm a Vet Technican".

3) Who is real, who isn't? I know of only ONE real Vet on here, but I haven't seen him in a while.

Thanks to everyone! ALL responses are welcome, ALL opinions welcome. Let's be mature everyone....

Answer 1

It's downright dangerous to say you are something you are not especially when lives are at risk.

Many of them you can tell a mile off when they are faking it. Many of them it's obvious are not even out of high school let alone university. It worries me that someone may not see what they are saying is so far off the mark and take what they say as gospal and an animal end up suffering because of it.

I know of one real vet http://answers.yahoo.com/my/profile;_ylt=Ajx2Lp9qbgRvHj60WC88hWvsy6IX;_ylv=3?show=HVt3LTnsaa He is hardly ever around.

2 people have showed me they are real vet techs, http://answers.yahoo.com/my/profile;_ylt=Ajx2Lp9qbgRvHj60WC88hWvsy6IX;_ylv=3?show=krXQaZAfaa and http://answers.yahoo.com/my/profile;_ylt=Ajx2Lp9qbgRvHj60WC88hWvsy6IX;_ylv=3?show=OgVmHwW6aa that's not saying they are the only ones. I do believe a few more are.

When it comes down to it if you are a responsible owner and you do susspect something maybe wrong you should go to your own vet and get it sorted the right way and not take a chance. It's one think to ask advice on traing, clipping nails, how to find a good breeder etc, but no way would I put the lives of my much loved pets in the hands of someone I did not know and however well qualified they maybe could not help my animal without actually treating them in person. They mean too much to me for that.

Yahoo says that if you susspect someone is lying about being a vet, vet tech etc they should be reported from what I saw a couple of days ago on the suggestions forum. Maybe if they were then it would cut back on this? Who knows! http://suggestions.yahoo.com/detail/?fid=57643&prop=answers

Answer 2

1) When you ask a question are you more opt to take the advice of someone who simply writes "I'm a Vet"; "Vet"; "DVM"; "My Vet Degree"; "Vet Technican", "CVT", etc. OR does that deter you knowing how members have been "faking" recently?

> Typically, it makes that person even *less* credible in my mind. (With a few exceptions of people that really are vet techs and give real, factual, correct answers. The majority are fakes.)

2) How do we know who is for real and who is not? Do we call these members out? Do we report them to Yahoo? It worries me that people will take horrible advice just because they write "I'm a Vet" or "I'm a Vet Technican".

> I go by the rule "assume everyone is a fake until proven otherwise" in regard to the people claiming to be vets or vet techs.

> If you read the questions/answers of many of the "I'm a vet" people, you'll find that they are obviously *not* vets. For instance, if they have asked questions like "I really like Tommy, but Jimmy has a crush on me, who should I choose?" it's obvious they are most likely in middle school. Also, misspelling of common words and poor grammar are give-aways as well.

3) Who is real, who isn't? I know of only ONE real Vet on here, but I haven't seen him in a while.

> This guy is a real vet: http://answers.yahoo.com/my/profile;_ylt=Agl2_OjAcXgE.73bnE76haHsy6IX;_ylv=3?show=HVt3LTnsaa
.

Answer 3

If you can report it I would. I am relativity new to this so I don't know how to do that. Well, I would just try to ignore the the fact that they say they are anything and try to find the best answer. Like just w/ common sense compared to the other answers. Maybe next time u have a serious ? about ur animal's health contact ur real vet. People lie. Even though there is no gain here except for 10 pt.s which is sad.
Once I answered a ? that asked:
"I have a blue pill w/ 133 on it"
or something like that. And someone answered it saying it was DIphenhidrahime.. basically generic benedril. But I knew that was incorrect. I was a pharmacy tech. and tried to set that person straight. If u do not know what any med. it do not take it, no matter what someone says.

Answer 4

I have said this before....
If you want the best answer listen to the longtime breeders or kennel operators. They know it first hand.
I know vet techs personally. Believe me, I would ask someone here first who was an experienced breeder or dog handler about many things before I would ask a vet tech. And I would ask an experienced breeder before I would take the advice of some vets, namely the young inexperienced ones. Longtime day by day experience pays off more than a few classes in med school.

I don't think there are any "real" vets on here. I have seen very few who say they are vets, but I doubt they are real. And even if someone is a vet tech, unless they have had lots of experience it means little.
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edit-- Jennifer--> I don't think the kid was putting you down or saying you weren't a CVT. But you have experience. You talk dog-talk because you have experienced a lot of time with dogs. I know techs who know nothing other than what they learn in school, and personally I don't think they know that much. Nice people, but not really knowledgeable where the rubber hits the road. Experience is the best teacher. Just because someone has a degree really doesn't mean they know everything about that subject.
I have a ministerial degree, but that doesn't make me a televangelist.

Answer 5

actually, that is a good question. i have seen some people have "vet, vet tech, etc." when answering. personally, i would not put that unless i was one. i guess some do it to try to make everyone think they are so smart. i don't necessarily "take" the advice from any of the answers that i get. i usually read my answers, and the one that makes the most sense, has a link with research, etc. i will usually just keep the information handy. as for needing a vet, i will just take my dog to the vet. sometimes i think people just want to hear other peoples opinions of what they would do in certain situation. having "vet, vet tech, dvm" doesn't sway my choice. i appreciate all the answers i get.

Answer 6

I am not a vet or a vet tech.
I am a very well informed dog owner who makes money and is paid by others to help them train and work with their dogs.
Since I am paid to do this I would say I am a dog trainer.
I also volunteer with a dog rescue and work with some of their adopters as a trainer.
I would not want my name or real info given out as it could bring unwanted attention.
Everything you read here should be taken in and read but not implimented without first checking with your own qualified vet or trainer. it could give you an idea of things to ask your vet about. I would use medical advice here as a guidline of things to ask my vet if needed.
I can give basic advice over the computer but prefer that people consult with a trainer in their area so the trainer can see first hand what is going on in the home. I would never want anyone to attempt anything that would be dangerous on my advice with out help. I hope that they do not.

Answer 7

Hey, I was asking about you the other day, but my question got deleted! Welcome back!

I do not take advice any more serious if someone says that they are someone ' special ' If anything I am more wary / critical of their answer.. knowing that vets like to make money, it's obvious they aren't sitting here answering questions for free!

We don't know who is real but we can guess that probably less than 1% is actually someone who has the credentials that they try to say that they do.. So many people put Vet in their source box.. If I am to believe that, I guess that I am the minority and one of the few people who aren't actually a vet. :)

It doesn't matter who is real and who isn't.. Take every single answer with a grain of salt.. Read them find the one you like or seems most reliable and still you should research that information yourself.

Answer 8

There was a question like this last week that I answered. I wish I knew of a good way to show my credentials without giving my real name. I am a veterinary student, and hopefully none of my answers have been too "out there." I am of course still learning and cattle are really my specialty. I would never assume to give advice to replace a physical exam by a veterinarian. Mostly I tell people to go to the vet, and what to look for. Veterinarians most definitely are not infallible! I've read some "advice" that people have gotten from their own veterinarians on this forum and have been appalled! (Such as, having one litter before a spay reduces the risk for ovarian cancer....that one had me wanting to contact a state board). One thing I hope to accomplish here is to help people realize that it is ok to call your vet for advice. Vets get calls all the time like "can I give tylenol to my dog?" The vet says no, they say OK, and they're all the wiser for it. If I figure out a way to get my credentials out there, I will do it.

Answer 9

Anyone asking questions on here should keep in mind that it is an open forum. People can give wrong advice, bad advice, and basically say whatever they want.

While most people are trying to genuinely help, there is no substitute for a personal vet consultation.

Also, in there are so many pet care websites and forums that ARE written by real vets. These are probably better for anyone who wants real vet opinions.

Answer 10

It happens a lot more than people realize. Know first of all, I'm not one of those people who puts D.V.M or anything such as that at the bottom of my posts...BECAUSE I'M NOT!!! LOL. That said..it's a shame really.
I know a lot about animals..that I do claim is the honest to God truth. I've been 'playing' with small creatures since I was a lil kid and I've run a SMALL rescue that JUST got state approved funding for years. (sorry to toot my own horn on your question page but I just got the call and I am bouncing off of walls). But anyway...
It's common sense for me when I ask for help here. Take your question for example. You COULD be simply trying to create controversy with this question...but it's obvious to me that is the furthest thing from your mind. You are an educated person. You type beautifully. You put a great deal of time and thought into organizing these thoughts which tells me that you've weighed this matter a great deal. It also tells me that you're VERY observant and that it concerns you that aminals are receiving inadequate care by unqualified "fakes." If you gave me advise I would immediately be inclined to take what you said seriously.
There are a lot of young people here on Yahoo..I'm old I think compared to most, and these poor kids have pets and they don't know what we know. They are also very impressionable and when some dimwit sticks DVM or CVT at the bottom of their post this kid believes what they say.
I'm probably labeled all sorts of lovely four letter words on Yahoo. If I see someone do this and post false information I do often call them out. Often I do so simply by posting websites in which the asker can read for themselves that Mr. or Mrs. DVM are wrong. It's all I can really do. Reporting them won't help because I could post down there that I'm a brain surgeon and Yahoo isn't going to require proof of that to allow me to post answers.
It bothers me as well. I wish I had a good answer for you. Unfortunately I do not. All you and I can do is post the truth and hope that others learn to double and triple check any advise that they receive here before they follow through with it.
I can type "I'm certainly no expert, but I would like to give you my opinion" so many times on Yahoo I can type it with my eyes closed. My hope is that people will read it over and over and follow my lead.
I noticed when I first came to Yahoo Answers, all of these poor people came with questions about stray animals they's found. RARELY did anyone stop and take the time to praise these people and say THANK YOU for saving them! After about three months of typing that over and over I started to see it posted in response to question after question by others. I was so pleased. Kindness, honesty and compassion are contagious just like negativity is. Spread the good...that's all we can do my friend.