[Dale]

Why is it that rather than take there dog to the vet they fire up the internet and ask what is wrong with my dog? Not to be uncaring, but I have to much money invested in my hunting partner to waist time asking here. I see more and more post like this and it bothers me a bit. Take the dog to the vet first then ask on the internet. Once and a while your vet may not have an answer.
Or it may be nothing serious and the vet is not concerned about a it but you are. At that time then by all means ask if anyone else has had similar problems.

No disrespect intended regards.

 

[Julie R.]

I often wonder how much vets hear from their clients..."But I read it on the internet..." when they bring in a very sick dog that should've been in there yesterday.

 

[D Osborn]

Work? Time? Not sure if it is PPO (paranoid pet owner) or something really wrong? Don't want to jump to conclusions?
Carbon-my male golden 16 month old is not 100%-right now he is acting like a normal dog rather than warp speed.
I think he has an ear infection, but I can tell you if I took him in, my vet would not see anything. Can't tell you the number of times I take them in cuz they are "slow"and 2 days later they are sick-however, my vets have learned to believe my "feelings". So I called, she gave me a couple of ideas, and we wait until Wed-
Also, I can't take my dogs until late afternoon-if I am concerned I will drop them off at 7:30, and Wait. And WAIT. and sometimes post to the internet to see if anyone has any guesses. Sometimes 7:30 to 3:00 is a very long time...
So, we try, and sometimes we want to hear everything is ok,
Demi

 

[okvet]

I often wonder how much vets hear from their clients..."But I read it on the internet..." when they bring in a very sick dog that should've been in there yesterday.

my favorite part is when they bring in a stack of about 50 pages of info they have printed off the internet and want me to read it all before I look at the dog :roll:

 

[Josh Conrad]

going through this right now!!

Woke up this morning and my YLF (14months) Dixie, wasn't bugging me. Looked over and 4yr old YLM was laying in his favorite corner as usuall.

Found Dixie in the guest bedroom asleep on the bed. No big deal, she has been sleeping in there the last few days, but she usually wakes me up in the morning.

She laid on the bed util I was ready to take them out. Normally she follows my every move until I am ready to leave.

Took them out for some excersice this morning and she wasn't really into it. Normally she is 5' off the ground at all times. Threw a few bumpers and she retrieved them, but not with her normal gusto.

Came home and she just went and layed back down again. Picked up the phone and called the vet.

Told the vet that I had NO clue what was going on, but she is not herself, NOT TAKING ANY CHANCES!!

I even called my neighbors and asked if any of them had put out any poisons in their yards that she might have gotten in to??

She is 14 months and has yet to go into her first heat. I told the vet that I don't believe this is what is happening now either.

I put too much love, time and money into these dogs to "wait a day"!!!

Takin her in in 10mins, regards..

 

[ErinsEdge]

I think sometimes when the vet is stumped it might be helpful to see if anyone has had a similar problem, but most of the time, internet diagnosis is a bad idea and no substitute for a professional hands on diagnosis, especially when the dog is really ill.

 

[buckeyegundogs]

Josh

Post a follow up on your dog, when you find out.

Brad

 

[SueLab]

I agree that internet diagnosis for general health issues is totally worthless! What's the saying? "I little information is dangerous"

I do think that problems associated with performance dogs and the discussions of them are helpful. What comes to mind for me is Speargrass and other like weeds, problems like kennel cough being spread through exposure at trials, and skeletal problems/injuries related to either activity or genetics.

Most of us go to "urban pet vets". I don't mean to minimize their importance because they see tons of animals each and every day and probably are great diagnosticians for general problems. I do think that they are not as well informed on issues that relate to those problems that are specific to performance animals/breeds. I don't think that they are well informed on breed specific issues like knee injuries, CNM and EIC for example. I do think that their expertise lies with neutered, inactive house pets.

I also would not wait to get advice from this or any other forum...

 

[Steve Amrein]

I am not a vet nor play one on TV but having 3 competitive/hunting dogs and a little of pups I can say my vet should have a plaque up somewhere in my name. If its real serious they will take the dogs w/o a appointment but in most cases I think folks may have time before going to the vet to post a ? and look up stuff on the net or vet book. It does not hurt to go in with more info than " He dont look right" insert de de deee sound. Because what we put these dogs thru is far different than Fee Fee the poodle gets.

 

[Josh Conrad]

Josh

Post a follow up on your dog, when you find out.

Brad

got back a few minutes ago.

Of course, she was bouncin around like nothing was wrong at the vets :?

Still not herself though.

Took a blood sample and temp, she was a little hot, but I think her temp runs a little hotter than normal most of the time.

Blood sample was to look at a few things, and check white blood cell count, to see if they were HIGH.

I honestly don't think they are going to tell me anything.

This vet is an "urban vet" most times if it is something serious, I go get a second opinion, this has saved me a few times in the past.

My vet is OK, but they don't see dogs like mine very often if at all. Most labs they see are 10-20lbs over weight and don't move during the day.

They are more concerned about asking me if I'm ready to get my dogs fixed. And telling me that I feed them too much.....They tell me that right after they tell me how great they look. :roll:

Let you know if anything comes from this.

 

[Gun_Dog2002]

Well, this is why my vet rules. Hank has been FT pointers for a bunch of years so he understands that performance dogs have unique sports related injuries depending on the sport and the breed. He also understands that working with so many dogs I get to see a lot of injuries as well as research many of the common injuries. For example when I had a dog go through cold water tail, he'd heard of it but never really ran into it. 2 other city vets hadn't heard of it at all when I asked them. Hank welcomed the research information as long its not from some yahoo /paul's webserver but from an accredited veterinary research institute. Since I used to be a nurse he also lets me help with the surgeries we've done on my dogs over the years. I appreciate how he's honest about where his expertise begins and ends and will hook me up with experts for the stuff he knows I need in a performance animal. So far I've helped send him and his wife to Maui twice, bought him a dog trailer with ATV storage, and I'm currenlty helping him put a new roof on his clinic and horse barn. But hey, a good vets worth it...

/Paul

 

[RemsBPJasper]

Sounds like time for a new vet...lol.

I love my vet. I've posted it a million times but it was just proven to me yet again how great my vet (and the office) is. When Boscoe got sick I called the emergency line at my vet and got a call back from one of the dr's I've never seen there. He hemmed and hawed and finally I was like I'm going to take him to the emergency vet. When I knew it was looking bleak I called my vet. The ER vet said they faxed the info to my primary vet. I asked and he said all he got was a fax saying that Boscoe was up there, nothing else, not why, not any of the blood work they'd done nothing. Anyways, I knew I was going to put him down but I called my vet and told him what was going on and what he thought. Then I told him point blank, I know what I need to do but I'm calling because I need to know that you agree with my decision.

They didn't see Boscoe or treat him or put him down this last time but a few days ago I recieved a card from the clinic. My vet and another staff had written a little note each inside. They knew me and Boscoe by name and knew about Jasper before so they know what I'm going through. That to me was just really uplifting to see how much they cared.

Anyways, the point is....I ask for information over the internet and I research because I am always trying to be educated. But I go to my vet first. He's still relatively young and readily admits when he doesn't know about a particular topic so sometimes I talk to him about research I've done/found and he posts it on VIN and gets back to me. So while my vet is still my go to, I do research on the internet for further education.

That wasn't necessarily relevant to the topic at hand I suppose lol but I wanted to share anyways.

Kourtney

Oh, okvet....how about people who bring in a file over an inch thick on their one year old dog's past medical history, bloodwork, etc.? lol When we went to the ER vet I just handed them the paperwork they needed to see and then answered questions and summarized the story, filled in the parts that weren't in the paperwork. The vet seemed to enjoy that and since they "triage" it was alright for her to look it over first and then get to the hands on.

I think I'm done now hehe.

 

[jimandkristine]

I evaluate the situation. If it looks like it needs to be right away then I always go right away. If its a question I can find the answer here and by calling my vet then why not?
I just dont like the ones where you know and its obvious the dog needs to go in and should have already at the vet. The owner is trying to save either the time or money by not going to the vet. That really gripes my butt!
I always tell my clients the intial price of the pup is small compared to what you will spend in its lifetime.

 

[JusticeDog]

Most of us go to "urban pet vets". I don't mean to minimize their importance because they see tons of animals each and every day and probably are great diagnosticians for general problems. I do think that they are not as well informed on issues that relate to those problems that are specific to performance animals/breeds. I don't think that they are well informed on breed specific issues like knee injuries, CNM and EIC for example. I do think that their expertise lies with neutered, inactive house pets.

I would agree with this..... and I also miss the good ole' practical vet. The one who will just give you the $10 prescription knowing what the diagnosis will be without the $1200.00 MRI - and then you still get the $10.00 prescription.

 

[Terry Britton]

Ginger has stumped our vet before when she started having pain in one leg. It wasn't her hips since they were checked the week before.

Some of the ideas on here plus observation turned out that Ginger was trying to catch bees in the back yard and was stung. Her stings were cleared up within a week.

This place is mostly like a coffee shop to exchange experiences, and BS.

 

[Guest]

I think more than anything, it's naiveity.

I have received some great vet advice and non-vet insight. While I don't think there's anything wrong with posting vet-related questions and getting feedback from both vets and non-vets, I think your personal vet should be the ultimate resource and have the final say in what happens to your dog (if you trust them, of course).

But there are LOTS of things that we can share from our EXPERIENCE that can be helpful to others. I've received a lot of help here and privately from breeder friends. I've also gotten some very helpful information from Dr. Ed, Dr. Nate, okvet and others. I don't think any of the doctors or non-doctors are dispensing advice as if the person should self-doctor their dogs. I think it's just some feedback to help them share with their vet. I don't think there are many or any of us who share health-related information thinking the person should take OUR advice and not go to the vet...

I think there would be lots lost if we didn't share help, information and experiences on health and medical situations -- especially the odd stuff that's hard to pin down or that is very mentally and physically challenging for dogs and owners (where folks share their personal experiences as support). Amputations due to cancer, Jasper's kidney problems... etc. etc.

-Kristie

 

[Paula H]

I agree with what Kristie said. It's nice to have a resource to supplement the information you get from your vet - or to hear from others how they have managed conditions, such as rehab from ACL surgery, or to share experience with getting insulin regulated and such.

The internet should NEVER replace a relationship with a good vet however.

I use multiple vets - the one by my house is great for vaccinations and general maintenance, but they are not great at hearing zebras instead of horses when quirky issues arise. I have another vet who has a kennel of Setters and Pointers and understands how to do excellent OFA's and "gets it" when it comes to a multiple-dog household. Then there's a great diagnostic guy locally AND the orthopod AND the eye doc............ so far.

Two quick case studies: A friend of mine had a GSD puppy that was limping, joints were swollen and warm to the touch. Took him to the "maintenance" vet I use. The dog was diagnosed with HOD and she was told she would probably have to put the puppy down - X-rays were taken to confirm the diagnosis. She called me in tears - she was feeding a large breed puppy food (24/12), so we didn't think HOD was the cause. I poured over the internet, found a website that mentioned that in Danes and GSDs, sometimes reaction to a vaccine can cause symptoms that mimic HOD. She went to the diagnostic vet armed with the information, and he agreed. The dog is now 8 years old, has a UDX and is halfway to an OTCH, and does Schutzhund work, never having a problem again.

Second: My big goofy guy developed a swollen hock. My maintenance vet will NOT refer to the orthopod (they told me they could do an ACL repair as well as the orthopod could, so I went to another vet for a referral when one guy blew his) since they "don't like him" so they wanted me to go to get an MRI done on the hock - to the tune of $1200. Wouldn't shoot an x-ray, said it wasn't necessary. I went to the diagnostic vet, who shot a $45 x-ray and determined the problem was degenerative arthritis and bursitis. He's retired from field work now but is happy and doing other things with me with the condition totlaly managed with Synovi G3 and an occasional anti-inflammatory on a bad day or preventatively if we're going to the farm.

The danger comes when people think the internet can replace their vet. It can't, but it can help provide additional information.

 

[labsx3]

I work at a veterinary hospital, mostly upfront taking calls for appointments, so I have heard just about everything! I think most people know their pets and know when something needs to come in, but I have had calls where people have watched the dog or cat have diarrhea for days even more then a week, not eating vomititng lethargic and want to schedule an appointment for days later! I had a call yesterday someones bird was picking so badly at itself as the owner said "his insides were coming out" Our avian vet was not going to be in for a few days so I gave her another number, she wanted to wait for our doctor! I think if you have a veternarian you trust and you are not sure if you should bring your pet in call them and ask, often times they will have a different option for you to try first.The internet is not a bad place to research but it should never take the place of the doctor who knows you and your pet.

 

[MRGD]

I met our new vet at a hunt test a month or so ago. He seems to be very sharp and thorough. I have heard that he is good from other sporting dog owners too.

I think people wait for a number of reasons, most already answered, but also for those that come from some backgrounds they may just not even consider it. Where we grew up, we had all muts that usually came up. Vets just weren't an option as a kid. Now they are a must.