Great post
Honestly, you can't tell me that vets are much different than doctors.. I have a friend who went in for a biopsy yesterday.. had NO idea what was going to happen, they didn't even freeze the area, now she's in major pain and they found something so she's freaking out about that and the upcoming surgery - which she again, got no info on and is going in blindly. I told her to research and read whatever she can find, and ask questions, and if the doctor acts like he's too busy to answer them - give him a piece of your mind!!! And I'd say the same to anyone in the same situation with their dogs.
We also need to remember that what's true about one dog, is not necessarily going to be true for another. What works for one, may not work for another. On the food issue - I feel Oliver Science Diet for sensitive stomach - is it the BEST food... nope... but it's the best for HIM. He had so many issues before the switch which have gone away. I would love to find a better quality food that would work for him, but I refuse to put him through that if they don't. Found one that works, sticking to it, case closed. Mya will not be fed Science Diet and will get a higher quality food if she has no issues on it.
Symptoms can be vague, hard to explain, and complex. Never, EVER take what someone told you online to be fact! While the advice is invaluable and well appreciated - it's our jobs to research and consult with doctors who are trained, just like we do with ourselves. Far too much online diagnosis going on for both animals and humans. If you don't like your vet for whatever reason - get a new one. Simple as that. I love the support we get here, but we need to remember to take every piece of advise with a grain of salt. Your vet won't diagnose your dog without actually seeing it - there's a reason for that. So why would someone who can't see your dog and has no training be able to do any better.