"When to ask a vet" thread

[GSD Fan]

I notice sometimes threads are created with questions that one should ask their vet. I was just wondering, would it be a good or bad idea for a thread to be posted and for that thread to explain when a vet should be asked about an issue? The thread would have the line between what's okay to ask a forum and what one needs to ask a vet?

[Jax08]

That's a wonderful idea. It amazing me the people that post online before calling a vet with some life threatening/emergency issues. If it's a health issue a vet should always be consulted but if there is vomiting, bleeding, etc then a vet should be called, IMO.

[Germanshepherdlova]

Very good idea. I know that I have read some thread's and my first thought is-why is this person sitting on a computer typing this question instead of running for the vets office?

[Jax's Mom]

I only call the vet when there is a service I require. Ie. Stop the bleeding, bloating, stop them from turning blue, etc. If it's something that's not an emergency, I research what it might be beforehand and try a few things myself because it's quite annoying to pay for a vet visit to get a "wait and see" diagnosis.

[Whiteshepherds]

Originally Posted by Germanshepherdlova

Very good idea. I know that I have read some thread's and my first thought is-why is this person sitting on a computer typing this question instead of running for the vets office?

Agreed.

Good idea GSD Fan, especially for new dog owners.

[GSD Fan]

Thank you guys!

Now, my next question is who should start the thread? I don't mind starting it. In fact, I think I'll give it a try, however it needs to be stuck or this idea won't work. I need to make a sticky quality thread or we need to convince a mod to make it.

[lisgje]

Bleeding, vomiting with agitation, swelling of the stomach and white foamy vomit, severe lethargy, smelly discharges, open wounds, excessive vomiting and dehydration, excessive diahrrea, etc, all require immediate vet care. Don't ask here first, go to the vet first!

[GSD Fan]

I started a thread in health section about it. I hope a mod or staffer will see it and perhaps chime in.

[MicheleMarie]

Originally Posted by Jax's Mom

I only call the vet when there is a service I require. Ie. Stop the bleeding, bloating, stop them from turning blue, etc. If it's something that's not an emergency, I research what it might be beforehand and try a few things myself because it's quite annoying to pay for a vet visit to get a "wait and see" diagnosis.

or the..."hmm...i'm not quite sure what that could be...try this and if it doesn't work come back!"
grrrr

[BowWowMeow]

I think having a sticky that has common gsd health problems with symptoms and noting which need immediate care and which can wait is an excellent idea to have as a reference but I don't think it's going to solve the problem of people coming onto the forum and asking for help in an emergency situation.

A lot of people come on here for the first time with a serious health problem and often never return. In an emergency situation I highly doubt anyone is going to be searching for threads that tell them when to go to the vet and when to ask a question on the forum. I think it's great when people come on here and everyone says "Go to the vet" because then they almost always go!

Furthermore, while I don't think this forum is a substitute for a vet in an emergency but people in other countries often don't have access to 24 hour vet care or sometimes even decent vet care so sometimes we can still help them, even in an emergency. And there are some very experienced members here who can help with triage care until the person can get to a vet.

ETA: I just saw the post that you created and it's confusing. I thought your issue was with people who come onto the forum in a life-threatening emergency and ask for help instead of going to the vet. The examples you've listed are things that people could get help for on the forum.