Rant about non horsey people

I am studying to be a vet tech, and I am a member of some forums/boards like this one.

Someone posted asking for advice on treatment of a horse that, even over the internet, I'm sure has a bad case of thrush. Of course, everyone responded "it sounds serious call the vet out." "we're only vet techs we can't diagnose or recommend treatment" "it could be [insert serious hoof issue here]". So I come in and say it sounds like a bad case of thrush, a DMSO/betadine mix can be used or I know some people also use a diluted bleach solution, or there are OTC remedies as well....because I actually own a horse lol and thrush is not a big issue.

Now people are ARGUING with me "if it smells it could be infected, the horse needs to be on antibiotics and blah blah blah". I could promise you that if this person had posted about their dog eating their kids little plastic army guys, they would be handing out solutions left and right of "wait it out" and "its nothing to worry about" etc, etc. So....because I actually know what I'm talking about, and I posted saying "its not worth an $80 dollar trip charge and a $100 dollar physical exam charge for the vet to say the horse has thrush" I get flamed on. -eyeroll- What really irks me is that the vast majority of vet techs don't work with large animals because they are afraid of them, and here they all are saying that the horses leg is going to fall off if the vet doesn't come out. LOL.

Vet doesn't get paid...you don't get paid...
Posted via Mobile Device

So you're a vet tech student, not even a vet tech yet. And yet you're diagnosing and prescribing treatment, over the internet no less.

Hopefully once you are working in a practice you will be set straight. Maybe it's different where you are, but here only vets are allowed to prescribe and diagnosis (regardless of whether the tech is 100% sure of what the problem is). And nobody is supposed to diagnosis over the phone, ever! You just have to give them the line that if they are concerned they need to see the vet. That's the only way to be safe; to make sure wrong advice isn't given and the vet isn't liable for anything an animal owner might do.

The other vet techs were doing the appropriate thing. They might have known all about horses and thrush, but they knew better than to give out advice on the internet.

I'm sure you will think I'm flaming you too, but I'll deal with that.
Kestra (registered vet tech since 1998)

No hoof no horse.

Some things that might be wrong with a horse are worth calling a vet about, even if they might be something more simple and easily treated.

A really bad case of thrush is something that should be looked at by a professional because really bad thrush can be signs of other issues and lead to other issues.




Legally speaking it probably is never a good idea for you to tell someone they do not need medical care. If in the end medical care at that point could have prevented larger long term issues you could be held legally responsible. I am sure this is something they will teach you in vet tech school.

I agree with the others!!!!!

Unless you are some sort of Edgar Cayce type prophet, you cannot be sure what is up with that horse....so to think you do know with 100% surety and to think that your internet advice supercedes a vet's care is....presumptious. And odd.

... and yet in nearly every thread, especially in the health forum, that is exactly what everyone does. Yes, many recommend that a vet be called, and rightfully so, but go on to explain how they had a horse and this is what they did or would do.

If the OP is saying that as a vet tec (in training) this is what you should do, then that is a whole different thing - be we don't know that.

I do not see "everyone" reccomend that their advice be followed and that a vet is not necessary.....even when they state their own home treatment or remedies, the follow up is always to consult a vet.

Actually, if I had a quarter for every time the forum members say "ask your vet' or "call your vet", I'd be rich enough to buy another horse.

So, I disagree with the above statement. And I commend the forum members for their reluctance to play "mystery diagnosis" when posters say "What should I do ..please help".....and instead reccomend a vet be consulted. BRAVO!

I think that iride is not giving the forum members the credit they deserve.


JMO

I can almost guarantee you that statements like this will ensure that you get flamed on!

You come across as sounding arrogant and disrespectful.

Yes! On all points. Yes!

There is a huge difference between suggesting things that have happened before and saying 'you do not need to call the vet at all, I am in vet tech school and I can tell you do not need a vet'.

Beauseant, I think you need to learn to read - both what the OP said and what I said.

She does not say that I'm a vet tech so listen to me nor does she say on the forum that statement about other vet techs - that is just her opinion.