[LuvMySissy]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

{Have you been reading my mind lately, what the heck? First yesterday, and now today ?}

This ^^^ is pretty much what I would like to say, if my brain was up to par.

As far as canine heatlh, healthcare, protocol, nutrition, and basic information - probably 20% of what I know has come from a Vet. The other 80% has come from elsewhere, most of that online.

I've been through 5 vets since moving to Phoenix and have finally found a competent place to go. Previous to that, Wylie was misdiagnosed for...oh...6 months plus? I kept taking him in w/ symptoms and *knew* something was wrong, Vet kept saying "Nope, ALL looks normal" . I finally went to a specialist - he was finally diagnosed with Atypical Cushings, Hypothyroid, and pyoderma. Marcel has also been misdiagnosed by a different Vet.

I think it takes a very unique person with a combination of skills and values to make a *good* Veterinarian. It's a very tough career, and there are so many reasons why. I think it is an industry in which consumers have very little recourse, if any, so that makes the consumer and its patients automatically vulnerable, in my opinion. The health of the patient is absolutely not always first for some vets, that's why it's so imperative to try to choose wisely.

In my humble opinion, the onus of pet health care is shared by the owner. I feel I have to research for my pets' health wayyyyy more than I need to for my own health, or that of my family members. My degree is in Nursing, and I've worked with tons of docs, nurses, techs etc - and I feel much more confident and easy about entrusting my healthcare to my Doctors than I do my pets' healthcare to Vets. That said, Doctors and other med-pros make unthinkable mistakes every day. Human error is unavoidable.

The actual diagnosis should come from a competent Vet. It cannot be done on the internet. A patient must be seen and evaluated. The information, however, surrounding the symptoms is really where the owner can be invaluable to their pet by using the internet and other sources as tools. Forums and groups can (and have) save lives, and HELP sift through symptoms and identify possibilities of what might be going on.

Sharing experiences during a crisis or illness can't be measured, and that's where I think forums are also valuable. But the internet should never, ever be relied upon as a diagnosis - it's a place to gather information, share ideas, learn, improve your dialogue with your vet, and in the end - help you provide your pet with the BEST dang healthcare they can obtain.

As far as dosages, people need to be very careful. That said, in a true emergency where there appears to be no other available options and there is some way to help online - I would help in any way I could. I also think it is okay to share basic First Aid information and some dosages there, because that also can save a life - especially during a situation of poison, stings, etcetera.

Wow, this was really verbose...apologies.

I've only read the first four pages of this thread so I don't know everything that has been said yet. However, Anne is right on here.

Especially since our pets cannot speak - we are their voice. As owners, I feel we have a responsibility to seek out knowledge and educate ourselves. No one knows everything - but with forums such as this - we have the ability to read and learn. Once you are aware of the potential issues out there, I feel you have an obligation to these precious little ones to question, question, question - especially when pets are not getting better. Always trust your gut. If it is telling you something is wrong, LISTEN! And many vets do not run blood work routinely either. This is something we should ALL be doing at annual exams, but most never do because of the cost. There are so many issues that can be caught early if only this were done.

I have never said all vets are bad - but you should also do your research on every single medication given. And there are many times the dosage is given inaccurately, either by the vet or if filled at a pharmacy - so if something doesn't seem right - question it.

Not to continue stirring up debate, but I have seen many of you posting on this thread specifically tell an OP to do only exactly what their vet has told them. I don't think anyone who is trying to help an OP is meaning to scare with suggested tests/results. If that is how it comes across, perhaps it is the passion of the person posting who has been through this and trying to save the OP heartache?

I can tell you all that when my Sissy was diagnosed with PLE, it was a year after her first pancreatitis-like attack. It was through a repeat Chem 27 panel that lipase levels and immune system markers were going through the roof depsite a very regimented low fat diet. And only because of my knowledge of the Spec cPL test and my request that it was run by my vet as my gut was telling me something was wrong. Had we not done that and gotten the correct diagnosis, Sissy would very likely "have been dead in 6 months" - those were the words of my vet - not my own interpretation. And all this is with a vet I feel very confident in.

So, again the bottom line is do your homework, know your pet, listen to your gut and question. It is the same thing you would do for your child or another family member - why not your beloved furkid?