[Ellie May]

Yes, the economy is a factor, but not an excuse to provide inadequate care or for laypeople to go too far in giving medical advice. It may seem that people are being harsh here sometimes when insisting that a dog is treated in the case of an emergency. I can tell you from spending many hours in a general practice office and an ER that it is even more harsh there (not rude, but the vet does talk realistically about the suffering that has to be stopped immediately). But there the option we suggest for rescue is replaced by a vet telling them if they cannot immediately treat, they need to euthanize. It sucks, but it's reality. And in the case of mild medical issues going on, they may refill an rx once without seeing the animal, but they can't go much beyond that. If there is a problem, you come in, period. Diagnosing over the phone is not generally acceptable and it is a disservice to the animal.