use commonsense please!

I have been quiet on this subject up to now but I feel I have to add my two cents here, for what it is worth. Time and again I have read posts here that ask what should I do, my cat is pooping blood, my cat is staggering around, my cat is breathing funny, on and on. People , try to use a little common sense here. If you have a question about feeding or maybe your cat or kitten is scratching a lot, or questions along those lines, fine, this is a great resource for asking others opinions and advice. On the other hand, you are wasting valuable time posting here asking for advice when it sounds as though your animal is seriously ill. Time is of the essence with a lot of medical emergencies and rather then sitting around waiting for an answer from a message board, which could conceivably take hours to get, take your cat or kitten in for treatment either to a vet or a shelter, at the very least call a vet or shelter for instructions. You could save your pets life. Done ranting now, JMHO

 

great post. People need to remember people posting here ARE NOT VETS.

Anytime any creature (be it animal or human) has blood coming from an area that shouldn't be bleeding requires medical attention. My rule of thumb, regarding pet care, is preventative maintenance is cheaper than waiting for an emergency. Not every emergency can be avoided but if you think your pet needs medical care it probably does.

 

Since I posted a recent question about blood in a stool I wanted to respond as I get the feeling that some of this criticism is directed at me. I wholeheartedly agree that if a cat is in an emergency situation then it should be taken to the vet asap. I have taken my cats to the emergency clinic several times. Before posting my question here I consulted several books and websites that all indicated that my situation was not an immediate emergency and I wanted to see what people on the board thought, and those who responded agreed. I try to do what is best for my cats and I hope that I haven't given the impression that I am a negligent pet owner.

 

please!

do not take my post personally, it is just a general observation I have made, please take it in the manner it was posted, as a general comment and not aimed at anyone directly.

 

uh oh deb... watch out. i made the exact same post about this a while back. BAD IDEA! youll end up getting your PM inbox flooded with messages from the culprits...

 

Q. Why did the cactus cross the road?

A. Because he was stuck to the chicken.


Just trying to lighten things up a bit. :wink:

 

<groan> :lol:

 

i know!! i just read this post and thought "gee i hope noone would think i would post first, and then call the vet". that to me would be insane and i really hope people do not do that. my first action is always to call the vet...and then post to get additional feedback. the day max had droplets of blood on the counter, he was at the vet within 1/2 hour. i have even cancelled clients to take him to the vet, and that is very costly to me. but you know what? his health is more important. i can always reschedule clients. i cant always be sure his health is okay. i guess it goes to priorities. i agree...use common sense.

 

one of the other things i would like to say about posting though, that i think we all need to keep in mind, is that it is a one dimensional form of communication that can easily be misinterpreted. sometimes i think people may not have the time to put in all the details of what they have done, or explain the context of their problem. then it is open to misinterpretation by others.

but what i like about the forum is that sometimes people say things that are necessary to hear. like recently chessmind suggested i get a second opinion. i was a little hesitant to do that. i had to take a look at what my fear was about that. in fact, it is a really good idea. so....sometimes the feedback, like deb2950's can be a wake up call to everyone. thank you deb2950.

and, i dont know if i get that joke... :shock: do you mean the cactus was stuck to the chicken? uh...duh...and i live in phoenix!!

 

like it says just use common sense. but we have to realize some these are kids asking for help. sometimes its an emergency and the people cant get a hold of a vet so they come here and often times they are in a panic so we dont know their whole background, and we jump down their throat for the wrong reasons.

honeybear

 

I think some people use the forum to gauge what is an emergancy and what isn't. To a new pet owner it can be hard to tell.

For example, when i first got Footsie and he threw up the first time I had no idea what to do. I knew that I wouldn't rush to the ER I had thrown up my own dinner, but I wanted to rush my kitty to the emergancy vet. coming here can let someone get experience from other pet owners to know if what constitues a visit to the vet and what doesn't.

I don't think we should scare them away or call them uncaring. If they're asking a question, then that means that they don't know the answer. We should answer and inform, not lecture about what we know and they don't.

This of this annalogy. If every person who visits a resturant askes where the rest room is the staff will probably get annoyed after a while. But they can't just expect today's customers to know simply becuase yesterday's customers were told.

 

bravo footsie! great analogy. dont know that ive heard that one....

 

please reread my original post

I in no way implied that anyone was uncaring or unknowing, quite the contrary. This is a great forum and packed full of useful information. It has helped me immensely with my own kitten and pup. I am not referring to the person who comes here seeking general advice or asking if other have shared the same experience. I was trying to point out that sometimes the prudent thing to do would be to contact a vet or a shelter ASAP as opposed to waiting for an answer from a message board, or coming back several days in a row without having taken any steps to get help for your sick animal whether it is because of lack of funds or whatever other excuse you can come up with. It is unfair and cruel to the animal to just sit around and hope they get better. If I have offended anyone I am sorry, it was not my intent to do so.

OH GREAT!!

while I was writing this my formerly white pup has chewed up a (non-toxic) magic marker and is now a beautiful hue of Blue.

 

i, for one, think it is a good post deb2960. i dont think you were being offensive. in fact what you said is appropriate, and was delivered in a neutral way. it has alot of truth to it. just use common sense. but...some people have more than others i think. i sometimes believe people just dont come up with things on their own. i guess that is why we have forums...to share what we know and what we dont!

anyway...just a thought. and...with regards to your little pup....bad doggie. :shock:

 

lol told ya. let me take the pressure off you a bit, i dont mind. 8)

what deb is trying to say is, if your pet is on the verge of DYING, call a vet. if your pet just has something minor and no ones saying 'go to the vet immediately' then you should not be insulted by debs post. alot of people come on here wanting the advice a vet gives in an emergency situation, but we just arent vets and we cant guarantee a pet will be ok.

oh deb, you could repeat your good intentiones over and over again but there will always be someone who thinks youre attacking them on this subject, dont take it to heart. i know youre trying to do the right thing.