Why do so many people ask on Answers what's wrong with their dog instead of taking it to a vet?

	Why do so many people ask on Answers what's wrong with their dog instead of taking it to a vet? Sure, you can list symptoms, you can describe it in detail, you can even post a link to a photo. But no-one online can give your dog a physical, test a urine or faecal sample, nor take a blood test/skin scraping/swab. Do people really think asking a group online will give them a proper solution for their poor sick animal? Or is it a cost factor- ie It's a whole lot cheaper to ask online than cough-up for the vet fees? This is seriously beyond my level of comprehension, can someone please explain? I understand the "my dog seems itchy what can I do to help it" type questions, or the "I'm taking my dog to the vet for blah, what can I expect" questions, its the "my dog has been hit by a car and can't walk and is bleeding. Do you think I need to take him to a vet" type questions that I don;t understand. My theory is if I had the same symptoms and I would see a doctor about it, well then my dog goes to the vet. I thought that was logical? Also the questions of "my dog is really sick and i think he might be dying, what should I do" questions that I don;t understand. If you were really sick and thought you were dying wouldn't you go to a doctor, or if your doctor wasn;t open, go to an emergency doctor? Asked By: _My dogs rule_ - 2/23/2010

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Sometimes people think they are silly for running to the vet for something a little odd. Others want a "second opinion" that they aren't sure of what their vet is doing -- not a bad idea when many vets have never experienced some breed specific or specialty specific (like orthopedics) stuff. I've had vets give me bad advice, diagnose an orthopedic issue without seeing the dog walk, etc. For many it's not "coughing up" vet fees, but that they simply don't have the money. When you first get a dog perhaps you had a job, no family, finances were good. Then the hard economic times hit and maybe you now have two kids and lost your job. Its not you don't want to pay for a vet, but you want to make sure it's absolutely necessary before you do. I work rescue and we do see people who have been great pet owners and fell on hard times. Maybe there IS a way to cure a regular ear infection, treat a hot spot, make your own heartworm preventative, give your own shots....etc. (and actually there are very effective ways to do many common things at home -- completely legal and using essentially what the vet is using -- at a much lower cost!) Why not ask? Of course the folks who have really obvious stuff (my dog was hit by a car, my dog is on day 69 of pregnancy and in labor for 4 days...) that I get upset about -- some stuff just isn't in the realm of home care and its pretty obvious!! Answered By: Annie - 2/23/2010

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No but as an animal lover and owner I can say this... It is Always good to have peace of mind especially when you know you cannot really do anything until morning.... so just let people get answers and let them have some peace... you don't have to be here. Answered By: Briana, Bri, Brenna, whatever. - 2/23/2010

I agree that some (most) of them are pretty ridiculous, but sometimes they are legit. If there was something odd going on with my dog I might ask a question here in case somebody has had a similar experience. It might save money, might not. Answered By: TruKidzTHINKfree - 2/23/2010

Because taking dogs to the vet cost a lot of money so people would rather ask whats wrong on the internet cause its free. Answered By: Claudia - 2/23/2010

Because sometimes people have an answer that doesnt cost $50, for instance, my dog vomitted up stomach acid for a few days so i asked on here and found out its coz she eats cat poo, we stopped the neighbours cats from getting into our yard and waa laa , she's fine my rabbit stopped eating so i asked on here and i got told to give him dandelion leaves and oak branches and waa laa he's fine, ive been using these things for my rabbits when theyre sick, ever since. my budgie got scaly face so i asked on here and got told to use vasoline and waa laa, she's fine. do remember that people on here sometimes have experience with animals ,dah Source(s): pet owner Answered By: Jessica A - 2/23/2010

Because they want to save money. I don't mind some questions, like "My dog seems tired today, should I be worried?" or "Has anyone had this happen? What was wrong?" or "I have a vet appointment but what should I expect?" But I hate it when people say something like 'My dog is vomitting with diarreah and wont eat or drink. What can I do without taking it to a vet?" I've asked questions about my pets here when i wasn't sure if it was something to go to the vet for, and last time my dog was acting funny and I made an appointment at the vet, I came here to ask if anyone had similiar experiences and what to expect. Sometimes its just good to have peace of mind Answered By: Whiskers - 2/23/2010

Sometimes it is warranted. i have answered questions like "my dog ate a piece of chocolate, should i be worried" obviously that is not something to worry about, but to an inexperienced dog owner it is. I have actually been in that position a long time ago and i had to call a 24/7 vet. However. i do understand what your saying for the ....i call them "DUH" questions...like "my dog got attacked by another dog and cant walk and is bleeding all over my carpet" yes people need to be smart!!! As i say....the main issue i seem to see is "i dont have the money to take my dog to a vet" aaaahhhh....then dont buy a dog. Answered By: Lila - 2/23/2010

Sometimes there may be a simple answer to a question such as "Why does my dog keep scratching itself?", and it doesn't need a vet to tell them the dog may have fleas! So instead of wasting time and money, the person posting the question can then do something about the fleas thanks to being informed on Yahoo! Answers. However, if the problem regarding the animal is serious & it shows signs of pain or discomfort then I think any good, responsible pet owner would take the animal to see their vet. Yet by asking on Yahoo! Answers may just give them an indication as to what is wrong before the animal gets to see the vet. It is common sense to take an animal to a vet if it is in any kind of distress, or shows any signs of unusual behaviour. Answered By: ILovePoms♥ - 2/23/2010

Cheap option? Hopeful they can avoid a vet bill? This place is here as a first port of call ..... maybe But I totally agree, with most of the questions that appear here. And it is worrying when the obviously 'wrong' information is taken as Best Answer. Wish I had a pound for every 'take it to your vet' answer I've given here ------ lol. We should be charging the vets a finders fee. Answered By: MamaBas - 2/23/2010

I agree that sometimes it's pointless to ask what's wrong your pet on yahoo answers. However, I think that people are hoping to hear that it's all going to be fine, and your dog doesn't need to go to the vet, and s\he can recover on their own. I bet most of them aren't too happy with the answers they get. Truth is, you'll never know what's wrong with your pet until you take them to the vet. However, in some cases it's just a minor problem that can be solved without wasting money at the vet. Such as, if a large dog ate a small piece of milk chocolate. Instead of taking the dog to the vet right away and end up paying some $50 just to here that your dog will be fine, you could go on hear and ask if that little bit could be dangerous. In some cases, it's not a bad idea to ask yahoo answers. Answered By: My baby Missy - 2/23/2010

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Why do so many people ask on Answers what's wrong with their dog instead of taking it to a vet?

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