Not All Vets Are Wrong

[dwerten]

Originally Posted by Ringo1

I think YT is a great tool to use in working with your Vet. Yes, I have printed off some information and taken it to my Vet and I think this is great. I am probably not going to take the word of an anonymous poster over my trained and trusted vet. But, I was able to ask some clear and concise questions because of information obtained here. Yes, sometimes it is information overload and too many horrific possibilities presented - I've learned to take it all with a grain of salt . . but take away what I can; learn what I can; don't panic over what I read.

On the other hand, I've learned things here that I wouldn't even think about asking my Vet - like the use of harnesses; treats like cheerios and apple . . Vegetarian kibble; lowfat cottage cheese.

I've learned countless things on YT and for that I am grateful.

Sift through the information that you are given; keep a clear head; be informed; trust your instinct and hopefully your Vet! This is what I've learned to do.

yep prepare for the worst and hope for the best because what if it is the worst and you could have helped your dog but because you did not have an open mind to what could be going on then won't you have regrets if your dog dies?

Some of us have lost dogs at the hands of a vet and some of us like myself have almost lost dogs at the hand of a vet and because of our quick thinking and getting our dog to a specialist our dogs are alive today

[dwerten]

check out fizzy thread. I posted nephrologist info for consult. Vet never did consult just treated and he died. She pm me her vet was sorry he would keep the info and bc of fizzy he will never let it go that long without getting a specialist involved and he made a mistake. He is keeping the nephrologist info I sent in case he comes across this ever again. Now maybe fizzy might have died but at least give them every fighting chance if you can afford to do so.

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by AllDogBoots

I'm seeing so many threads lately from members who have questions and are seeking advice regarding medical & basic health issues regarding their dogs, which I think is fantastic. The amount of information I have personally learned since I've been a forum member is astonishing, although I take everything learned with a grain of salt.

I'm seeing members dishing out advice that flat out goes against what the dog's veterinarian recommends. Literally, I see people say "no your vet is wrong" or "your vet is not doing the right tests", etc. The vet may say to try a certain food, while someone else may say "no, chicken is no good".

Without actually seeing the dog's symptoms is it possible to really give a clear diagnosis online? I think that advice is priceless, but I also think that the folks asking questions may be getting confused by so many contradictions. I see so many new people come home from the vet, post their information and after seeing the replies they now say "gosh I'm so confused and don't know what to do". Shouldn't the vet's advice generally be followed?

While I think sharing information and stories is a huge asset to this forum, i'm not so sure that clinically diagnosing is. I've never had a major issue with a veterinarian in a negative way and perhaps I'm lucky. I really have a great relationship with my vet and do trust them. Maybe I would feel differently if I've had a horrific experience.

Thanks for letting me post.

Great post. I think while we can suggest things, we shouldn't scare the person to death, or second-guess the vet. First of all, the vet makes his decisions based on all the symptoms, and tests for most likely illnesses as well as most time critical. Vets also take clients budgets into consideration, and don't do every test possible in the beginning, for as we know, many dog's symptoms, clear up overnight on their own. We don't always know what the OP has told the vet, and we don't always know what the vet has really told the OP. Sometimesm people hear one or two words, and may even misunderstand the vet's explanation, so I'm always disappointed when members criticize the vet because we don't even know what the vet said.


That said, I think everyone should take the time to find a vet in whom they have confidence, it's one of the most important relationships you'll have in your life. When your dog has been properly diagnosed, I think YT can be extremely valuable in getting tips from other members whose dogs have the same problem.

[dwerten]

I really want to do a poll here that says

Has your vet misdiagnosed your dog or made a mistake? yes or no and please elaborate below on thread. I think this will enlighten alot of us here that we need to be an advocate for our pets and not be so trusting just because someone went to school for something.

I have a degree in finance and real estate - does that mean I know EVERYTHING about it - NO I AM HERE TO SAY - NO I DO NOT just like vets do not know EVERYTHING ABOUT ANIMAL HEALTH sorry I know that may disappoint some people but it is a fact.

There are reasons people specialize in things in life to become the best at it and focus on that one thing - and passion is very key in that as well as to be good at something you have to be passionate about it and want to be the best and there are alot of people in life going through the motions and collecting a paycheck sadly

[dwerten]

Originally Posted by BonBon

Wonderful post!

Offering suggestions and experiences can be helpful. But some on here go too far and terrify pet owners with horrific "possibilities" long before test results are in or a diagnosis is made by a trained, educated doctor. I know members who've been brought to tears because of this - and their pups have turned out to have only mild/minor illnesses.

I try to follow along on some of the S&I threads to offer prayers and support. But after a while I begin to feel like I'm being bashed over the head by those who post after post after post after post. It's overwhelming to me, so I can't imagine how the OP's of these threads must be feeling. Gentle, concise, factual information would be so much more helpful in these cases.

Thanks for letting me share some of my opinions.

and some have said oh no big deal just wait and see how it goes and the dog DIED. So would you rather be informed or would you rather your dog died. I prefer to be informed bc if you do not inform me then you are part of the problem not part of the solution. I personally would be more upset at someone for not giving me information and my dog died when my dog could have been saved.

No prob though as many have been run off here like jodi luvmysissy who use to always help and who is very knowledgeable so eventually we will just have people saying go to your vet, trust your vet and we can all sit back and watch dogs die sadly. I personally do not choose to do that myself and why i try to help because I would want someone to help me if my dog was sick.

Many come to these groups like i did because our dogs are sick and we want help and we are looking for some support, help and encouragement and most of all INFORMATION. Prayers are great too but we want information to get our dog better as maybe that info will help our dogs. It is really easy to sit back and judge when your dog at home is healthy and trust me when your dog is sick you will be asking for help from more than your vet I am sure of it as i see it all the time. So what are you going to do when it is your dog and no one is left to help you?

[Ringo1]

Originally Posted by dwerten

yep prepare for the worst and hope for the best because what if it is the worst and you could have helped your dog but because you did not have an open mind to what could be going on then won't you have regrets if your dog dies?

Some of us have lost dogs at the hands of a vet and some of us like myself have almost lost dogs at the hand of a vet and because of our quick thinking and getting our dog to a specialist our dogs are alive today

I've got to go back to work but wanted to respond to this. This is a thinly veiled way of saying that I will be sorry if I didn't listen to you, right? Because I received a PM saying that very thing when I posted about Lucy.

This is the kind of heavy-handedness that I think you need to gently back away from.

I do appreciate your advice; but you need to leave it at that and pedal down the scare tactics at times. That would be my only thought and I certainly don't want to hurt your feelings.

I DO know that medical personnel are not perfect; I've been on the receiving end of my very own medical mishap. But, at some point, I still have to find a doctor that I can trust - because I can't operate on myself nor can I always diagnose myself.

[dwerten]

Originally Posted by Ringo1

I've got to go back to work but wanted to respond to this. This is a thinly veiled way of saying that I will be sorry if I didn't listen to you, right? Because I received a PM saying that very thing when I posted about Lucy.

This is the kind of heavy-handedness that I think you need to gently back away from.

I do appreciate your advice; but you need to leave it at that and pedal down the scare tactics at times. That would be my only thought and I certainly don't want to hurt your feelings.

I DO know that medical personnel are not perfect; I've been on the receiving end of my very own medical mishap. But, at some point, I still have to find a doctor that I can trust - because I can't operate on myself nor can I always diagnose myself.

I have never pm'd you sorry - I posted how i felt on your thread and i agreed with your vet actually so you may want to go back and read your thread. I say what I feel openly like I am today

I would rather be scared than let my dog die sorry and there are others that use scare tactics on here - I just inform people if you choose to be scared that is your choice. I choose to look at every possibility

oh and you did not hurt my feelings at all as honestly only reason I am on here is to help others not go through what I have been through

[jp4m2]

I realize this is one of those *hot* topics here. There are many here who have vets that they would trust with their life and then there are some us who have had some very bad experiences with vets, sadly some have lost pets at the hands of vets. I think the ones with the bad experiences will never have that peace of mind and trust again, how could we??......Therein lies the reason for the researching and asking for additional info, we just don't want to have to experience that again for ourselves or foranother.......

For me, I am sorry to say that I have lost faith in the profession….Not without saying, I will always go to a vet when a problem arises but I’m always cautious and I will do research when I feel the need. No vet knows it all, some are better than others, as in any profession. If the vet doesn’t have the desire, time or interest in keeping up on new research, treatments or testing then things will be misdiagnosed, mistreated, or over treated. And then there are some vets who will put his concern for profits above what’s in the best interest of the pet…….

There many ways to approach a problem that range from traditional medicine to holistic medicine and many other options in between. If the vet is approaching the health concern with only what was learned in school, which was more than likely decade’s age, or is approaching the problem by treating symptoms instead of getting to root of the problem then yes, I will look elsewhere for info. Ultimately I will be held responsible for the treatment chosen..…….This is just one of those topics that we all will never agree on.....

[dwerten]

Originally Posted by jp4m2

I realize this is one of those *hot* topics here. There are many here who have vets that they would trust with their life and then there are some us who have had some very bad experiences with vets, sadly some have lost pets at the hands of vets. I think the ones with the bad experiences will never have that peace of mind and trust again, how could we??......Therein lies the reason for the researching and asking for additional info, we just don't want to have to experience that again for ourselves or foranother.......

For me, I am sorry to say that I have lost faith in the profession….Not without saying, I will always go to a vet when a problem arises but I’m always cautious and I will do research when I feel the need. No vet knows it all, some are better than others, as in any profession. If the vet doesn’t have the desire, time or interest in keeping up on new research, treatments or testing then things will be misdiagnosed, mistreated, or over treated. And then there are some vets who will put his concern for profits above what’s in the best interest of the pet…….

There many ways to approach a problem that range from traditional medicine to holistic medicine and many other options in between. If the vet is approaching the health concern with only what was learned in school, which was more than likely decade’s age, or is approaching the problem by treating symptoms instead of getting to root of the problem then yes, I will look elsewhere for info. Ultimately I will be held responsible for the treatment chosen..…….This is just one of those topics that we all will never agree on.....

you are right on

we will all just have to agree to disagree because unless it has happened to you then you will just never understand.

[Ellie May]

It actually has happened to me. And I do research every little thing now. A good vet isn't going to be upset about that. And I will always question things and tell others to do that same. I don't mind saying, "Hey, your vet said xyz and it doesn't sound right. Please talk to them about it or get a second opinion." But I won't tell somebody that they should start a food (for a sick dog) or drug without consulting a vet And I won't tell people that their dog absolutely shouldn't be on a certain food or drug if a vet said to use it. I would just want them to ask questions.

No matter how much I read online, I don't start making a whole bunch of decisions at home about the supplements, etc. that Ellie should be getting. I find the information and talk to a vet about it. There are times when I do try things, but generally, it is all run past her vet first.

And while there is great information online, some of it is downright scary. Still others, while not dangerous, is just incorrect.

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by Ringo1

I've got to go back to work but wanted to respond to this. This is a thinly veiled way of saying that I will be sorry if I didn't listen to you, right? Because I received a PM saying that very thing when I posted about Lucy.

This is the kind of heavy-handedness that I think you need to gently back away from.

I do appreciate your advice; but you need to leave it at that and pedal down the scare tactics at times. That would be my only thought and I certainly don't want to hurt your feelings.

I DO know that medical personnel are not perfect; I've been on the receiving end of my very own medical mishap. But, at some point, I still have to find a doctor that I can trust - because I can't operate on myself nor can I always diagnose myself.

Let me say that we all responsible to take active participation in our dogs and pesonal medical care. We must take the responsibility of finding a Dr and or Vet that works well with us. One they can have confidence in and have a great communication with. As they will base their diagnosis on what we tell them. We have to be thorough in relaying those systems as we know our dogs better than they do.

A for instance. A few years back, I had been suffering from an excruciating pain. Exactly like a woman experiencing cardiac problems. After a night of such pain (I have a high tolerance for pain), I went to my GP, gave him my symptons and off I went to a Cardiac Specialist. After weeks of this test and that test, resperitory or cardiac were not the problem. Went back to my GP and we went through the tests. I asked to placate me and send me in for an ultra sound on my gall bladder. His response was, you have not given my symptoms of a gall baldder attack, but I will send you in. The next morning I went in for the test. The radiologist came out and was absolutely amazed, telling me that my gall bladder was filled with stones and not functioning. Could hardly believe that my gall bladder had not ruptured. I was admitted to the hospital that afternoon.

So, vets and doctors can only diagnose based on what we tell them. At times symptoms may be indicative of one thing and be totally something else. Process of elimination and further testing can only reveal the true diagnosis. Sometimes it is found my sheer luck. Vets or Doctors are not God, but they have attended years of advanced training and do have a greater knowledge of medicine than I do. While the internet is helpful, as you go through different sites, there are differences of opinion at each one, just like here.

[chachi]

I think it is important to get a diagnosis from the vet but there is nothing wrong with doing your own research and getting advice on here also. Not all vets are up to date on everything. If I went with my vets recommendations I would still be vaccinating my dogs every year though its not necessary. There are a couple of people on here that have some medical knowledge on here and I dont see why they shouldnt share it. In fact I saw one person that complains about it also giving medical advice so I think thats hypocritical. There is nothing wrong with sharing info and the more the better when it is your dog with an illness. No one is saying dont take your dog to a vet. I have seen good knowledgable members leave the forum because they were nit picked for giving medical advice based on their own experiences. It is time for it to stop. When someone says dont take your dog to a vet then something needs to be said. I have never seen that but have seen specialists that maybe the OP was not aware of was suggested

[dwerten]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

Good post.

Yes, it's okay to help people online.
Yes, it's okay to give suggestions and say it may be this or it may not be that.
It's okay to say perhaps a different food is needed, etc.

It's (IMO) not okay to say the vet is totally wrong and you should do XYZ. If you think the vet is totally wrong, then things should not be changed based on what you read online. The information on line should be taken to the vet or another vet and they will help you sort thorugh it.

With all the great information I've found online, there are so many inaccuracies. It's scary to think that people take the information without even talking tho their vet about it.

they should take info and talk to their vet absolutely but it is not wrong to QUESTION a vet either if they do not think it is right from what they are reading? Many are saying not to ever question the vet and that is wrong because they just might be wrong and then what?

And some on here are giving doseages to people which it is ok to question a doseage the vet gave you but in my opinion I do not believe people should give out doseages and the owner should be consulting with mfg, pharmacist and vet about that as that is the most dangerous of anything more so than giving out information in my opinion as giving info to take and consult with their vet is not harmful but a wrong doseage could kill a dog.

[Ellie May]

Originally Posted by dwerten

they should take info and talk to their vet absolutely but it is not wrong to QUESTION a vet either if they do not think it is right from what they are reading? Many are saying not to ever question the vet and that is wrong because they just might be wrong and then what?

And some on here are giving doseages to people which it is ok to question a doseage the vet gave you but in my opinion I do not believe people should give out doseages and the owner should be consulting with mfg, pharmacist and vet about that as that is the most dangerous of anything more so than giving out information in my opinion as giving info to take and consult with their vet is not harmful but a wrong doseage could kill a dog.

I'm not really comfortable with dosages either. I make an exception for Benadryl because I have Ellie's dose right in front of me and know approx. what dogs of her size should get. I also think when somebody comes on here at 3AM with a vaccine reaction and is an hour away from any vet that could help them, somebody needs to try to help. I may say if a dose looks right or not for other drugs. I try not to tive exact amounts. I won't even figure dosages for my own dog...

[dwerten]

Originally Posted by chachi

I think it is important to get a diagnosis from the vet but there is nothing wrong with doing your own research and getting advice on here also. Not all vets are up to date on everything. If I went with my vets recommendations I would still be vaccinating my dogs every year though its not necessary. There are a couple of people on here that have some medical knowledge on here and I dont see why they shouldnt share it. In fact I saw one person that complains about it also giving medical advice so I think thats hypocritical. There is nothing wrong with sharing info and the more the better when it is your dog with an illness. No one is saying dont take your dog to a vet. I have seen good knowledgable members leave the forum because they were nit picked for giving medical advice based on their own experiences. It is time for it to stop. When someone says dont take your dog to a vet then something needs to be said. I have never seen that but have seen specialists that maybe the OP was not aware of was suggested

You nailed it as we have lost alot of very knowledgeable people for this like Jodi. She is very sharp and I have to pm her to get her to help sometimes as she does not post here anymore because of the way she was treated and that is sad.

Also I do not understand as well how some can criticize people for helping out with information and then give out wrong doseages to people themselves - just does not add up in my mind at all.

Everyone has a vet here and should know to consult with their vet or a specialist but there are some sharp pet owners on here and yahoogroups that have been through alot and can help narrow things down for people as they take the time out of their day to do so where as a vet is not going to take hours upon hours helping people on here as we have seen as we have NO VETS on this group. But we do have some vet techs like KJC and Lillymae on here who always try to help as well.

I think we need to stop criticizing and realize people are taking their time to help people here and focus on the positive not the negative.