Do people really expect to get vet diagnosis/treatment plans on t'interweb

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rubysmum

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If my horse was unwell/broken in a new or unusual way:rolleyes: I would probably speak to my trainer ( as she knows the horse well), a friend with decades of horse experience or my vet.
I would probably not speak to a bunch of strangers on t' interweb (although many of you seem nice:)) as my first point of call.
Is this because I am very old and don't have a google type mentality?

I have, in the past, used this and other forums when I know what is wrong with the horse, see above,and had lots of useful information re differing treatments, links to useful research etc, so I am not a complete Luddite.
 
I guess its cheaper than a vet :p :D :D

In fairness I can understand new owners asking if something is an emergency or not, other than that its just annoying, poor horses.
 
In answer to your question - yes they do!!
My take = I ask vet/farrier/trainer etc as first port of call but the forum is a great place to speak to those who are/have been in a similar situation, provided the witch hunts don't start, it's nice to read other's stories and get a bit of moral support.
 
I think it's a useful tool alongside the professionals as there are a lot of people with different experiences who can suggest things that maybe you wouldn't have thought of - Micramadam's thread springs to mind here :)
 
Don't think there is anything wrong with asking others advice along side professional advice.

I had a problem with a lamb developing some sort of disease shortly after birth. Tried everything, the vet had no idea what it was. After 3 weeks the lamb died. Following year had another one the same, asked on a farmers forum and had the answer in 3 minutes, googled it and then knew it was an obscure and lethal auto immune disease and therefore chapped the lamb on the head which saved it suffering. I then culled the tup and anything related and saved breeding any more the same.

Best result in the circumstances. :cool:
 
I'd be off to my handy equine vet tech mate and her equine vet bf or the boy's sharer who's just finished an equine science degree! :D

I would get the vet for the weird and unusual things. I wouldn't come on here, tbh.
 
Ditto there's been a few times where the vets are trying everything along with yourself, and you just hope there might be someone else out there who has experienced something similar, but with a different approach to try.

When Tommy went down with lami and we knew what the vets were hinting towards, we absolutely ramraided the forum just for ANYTHING to try on top. It was because of the forum, we asked about EMS and trying things for that. Just to TRY and get his lami attack to lessen, as nothing was working. Granted we still lost him due to organ failure in the end, but, the day we put him down, he walked out sound. The lami attack had lessened since the started on the EMS idea.

It should be common sense. If you're not comfortable with something, then vet. Even if it's just to chat with them on the phone and get reassurance!
 
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I used this forum to ask for advice whilst I was waiting for blood results and started making mental plans etc with the help from HHO'ers. Its more peace of mind and fantastic if you find someone who's been through it before and can give you their stories. I wouldn't have come here instead of the vet though - but have consulted for minor things and the decided against the vet I.e. A manky eye caused by flies
 
I will admit to asking here for advice but that has only been after it has happened and more with recovery not immediate treatment and interested in others experience. Posted recently about a bite, vet wasn't needed but other people suggested thing to try to help and speed up recovery. Don't understand people asking should i call vet as i think that if your considering calling a vet you properly should just call one.

I have to confess i will now post here for riding help before i ask instructor as its quicker and you get more opinions and options to try.
 
Not so much the vetinary advice that astounds me as its always usefule to hear about other people's experiences in addition to using the vet and absolutely taking their advice, but the medical queries in soapbox. I don't read it any more as it drives me mad.
 
It's worrying when you read a thread about something that sounds quite serious or unusual, the advice given is to talk to the vet asap, and the OP comes back with replies that suggest anything but.

The bottom line is that calling the vet should be the first line, and then asking advice on a forum for further support and back up. But so many seem to think it's the other way round. A phone call to your vet is easy and free :rolleyes:
 
My horse Taz (sadly PTS) had an eye problem soon after I bought him. I had the vet out on one or 2 separate occasions and they treated him for conjunctivitis. I went onto Google which came up with Uevitis and read loads and so convinced myself this is what he had. After other flare ups I did mention Uevitis to the vet who again said conjunctivitis. He had flare ups every 6 weeks for 4 years, I had the vet out ( senior partner) who after 4 years diagnosed Uevitis, and said it was because of my prompt treatment over the years I had prevented damage to his eye. So in my case it was a god send, I always go for worse case scenario. But I would always get them checked out by the vet.
 
If Mollie was unwell in a seemingly minor way, slight behavioural changes for example, I'd get feedback from the others on the yard and folks here first while I considered whether it warranted the vet.

If she was obviously ill I'd call the vet straight away, it wouldn't occur to me to ask here tbh. The others on the yard would also give support, but it would be the vet who's advice I followed.

If Mollie was then ill for a while, I'd be asking for feedback here to increase my own knowledge and understanding of what was going on.
 
i ask as personlly i dont always take what my vet says as final!.. never have


i dont diagnose from the internet either - i just value experience and opinions then form my own conclusion from that (whether it be to then seek the vet or just deal with the fact im OTT!)

:)
 
noodle_ said:
i ask as personlly i dont always take what my vet says as final!.. never have


i dont diagnose from the internet either - i just value experience and opinions then form my own conclusion from that (whether it be to then seek the vet or just deal with the fact im OTT!)

:)
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I agree with this. I think its good to seek others views as there is a wealth of experience and inexperience too. ie putting my horse to sleep I had some really good advice on the different methods where people inboxed me too and were so honest, for which I was grateful. I suppose traditionally horses were bolted but with advent of injection method(something not many people around me had used) I was looking for best option for my horse at that moment in time. I like reading about experiences, and new people have to learn as well however if they are inexperienced they should be prepared to fork out for the vet as that responsibility does come with horse ownership and should be considered prior to ever owning one. Its a well known fact that having horses is expensive hobby. I hope if a horse really does need a vet that they do get one out.
 
Nothing wrong with sharing experiences, or anything alongside professional help. And think its quite handy for novice owners to double check, for example their yms advice that a vet isn't needed for a minor wound, or that a farrier is first call for an abcess. What does really wind me up is when people see it as alternatives to a vet. My simple rule is if I can't diagnose and/or treat it, I get a vet. Works at every level of experience. So posts of the nature 'my horse has a massive swelling round his fetlock & is lame, what's wrong & what shall I do?' annoy the life out of me. Don't mind stuff like people asking about minor stuff at a wkend while waiting to call a vet on monday. Doesn't bother me if people ask about medical advice for themselves though, people can voice their own pain & make their own choices, horses can't.
 
littlelegs said:
Nothing wrong with sharing experiences, or anything alongside professional help. And think its quite handy for novice owners to double check, for example their yms advice that a vet isn't needed for a minor wound, or that a farrier is first call for an abcess. What does really wind me up is when people see it as alternatives to a vet. My simple rule is if I can't diagnose and/or treat it, I get a vet. Works at every level of experience. So posts of the nature 'my horse has a massive swelling round his fetlock & is lame, what's wrong & what shall I do?' annoy the life out of me. Don't mind stuff like people asking about minor stuff at a wkend while waiting to call a vet on monday. Doesn't bother me if people ask about medical advice for themselves though, people can voice their own pain & make their own choices, horses can't.
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This completely. As a novice years ago, I wasn't always sure whether a vet was needed, but had no one to ask. Several call out charges later I got a bit better at judging. This forum is a great tool for novices who need a bit of advice prior to contacting their vet. Agree though that some appear to want to do anything but get the vet out.
 
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