kestrel91316 & online vets

[Steph13]

Would you mind posting your full name & information, since you dole out medical advice, constantly stating you're a veterniarian on here, but have nothing to back that up? I know you're in Los Angeles, CA.. but what's your full name, and/or clinic practice location/name? I just see other vets that you're bashing (ie Lisa Pierson DVM) yet we don't even know if you're a true vet.

I just know Dr Lisa Pierson, and she seems hesitant to give medical advice over the internet without knowing the full history of the animal, and about the legal ramifications. Seems if you were a caring, professional veterinarian, you'd be doing the same.. or at least list different websites with your 'medical' advice to back up what you're telling people to do.

When people ask for OPINIONS & such on the net, they just need to remember that's exactly what they're getting. They need to truly investigate & check on the advice they're getting for themselves. Some vets DON'T know what's best for your cat.. only YOU really know your cat. A vet sees them as a clinical/medical file... nothing more sometimes.

[Lorien]

1. A lot of vets disagree on treatments

I have two vets; one an old fashioned "country doctor" for basic needs (he's a very caring vet and inexpensive), and one who is schooled in traditional, chinese, and natural medicine for more complex problems (a friend said that he cured her pug who had an "incurable" form of cancer). I had a "cat specialist" vet who came up with the wrong diagnosis eight times out of ten and changed me out the nose for each, so I was recommend to the other two and have been seeing them instead ever since. Just like human doctors there are those with different philosophies and educations, and those who have different reasons for becoming vets.A great "bedside manner" is critical to good care too, imho; a vet needs to be a good and caring listener, otherwise something crucial might be missed. And if a vet is so set in their ways that they won't review new information and studies or has a knee jerk reaction to new ideas, then it's time to find a new vet! But that's just my .02

[Steph13]

2. I agree

..having more than one vet isn't a bad idea! I found a new vet office that has multiple vets, and one of them even specializes in accupuncture. I've seen 3 out of the 4 already, and it's really interesting with the different views & takes with some of them. But one thing I'm impressed with, is each one cares just as much about the animal as the other!

[Lorien]

3. Acupuncture certainly seems to be the new big thing!

There's quite a few vets in my area who are offering it. I know that it really helps racehorses quite a bit. Some people I know swear that it's really helped their elderly pets too.

And I agree that you can't depend on "expert" advice on an internet discussion board unless the person you're chatting with can back up their"facts" with reliable links. I always keep a few good ones on healthy pet foods in my bookmarks, for instance. Heck, I even do quite a bit of research on every diagnosis and medication after visiting my vet. One can never be "overly" informed!

[Lisa0825]

4. Considering the level of animosity in a previous thread....

I wouldn't blame kestrel if he/she didn't want to give name and other details. Perhaps if you are that concerned about proving credentials, asking Skinner to verify might be an alternative idea?

[meti57b]

5. I appreciate Kestrel taking the time to post here and I appreciate ....

hearing what she has to say. If you don't like her posting, why not just skip over her posts or better yet, put her on "ignore".

I would advise never putting your real name and information on an internet message board.

[mike_c]

6. I'm a biologist and I can attest that kestrel knows her physiology...

...I accept her credentials as genuine, but your mileage may vary. The point is that rather than challenging anyone's credentials, an appropriate response is to accept or not accept their advice based on your beliefs about their competency. That goes for online advice AND for face time with a vet whose credentials you can see hanging on the wall.

Finally, please remember that it is against DU rules to call out another DUer. I'd recommend that you edit your post to be a bit less confrontational.

on edit: in case you feel the need to know MY credentials, my name is Michael Camann and I'm Professor of Zoology at Humboldt State University in Arcata, CA.

[Grateful for Hope]

7. She might not see this thread

I think she said she was doing the ignore thing?

I agree with you that we need to use our own judgement when it comes to the health of our animals. I don't even trust the word of a medical doctor when it comes to my own health (or the health of my kids when they were younger) without question.

I think, though, that as an additional opinion, those of kestrel91316 can be quite helpful, particularly when viewed in the context that she is one of the many very experienced posters I have seen post here.

Each cat is different, and, what works for one might not work for the other, and, in the end, you are right, we know our own cats much better than anyone else does. We are responsible to make the best health decisions for them based on our own observations (and, of course, helped by the research and questioning that we do).

[Steph13]

8. Point taken

Apparently since i only started posting on THIS board recently, I don't know anything. Whatever. I'm just trying to make the lives of animals better.

I'll also go back & delete all the kitten threads I've added & shared on this board. I don't want to see someone hurting their cat/animal by taking the advice of someone if they won't share their credentials, even though they claim to be a vet posting free advice on a democratic message board. (and that may be petty but when I just try to share the joy of my fostering tiny little cute kittens & want the best for them, and get slammed for asking something as simple as this, then why should I put forth the effort)

& no, I have no idea who Skinner is.

But sorry for being 'confrontational' & trying to just help the pets. I obviously don't make anything off trying to be honest & educate the public. She does.

Peace.

[Jo March]

11. Skinner is one of THE Admins

I know that you are trying to do what's best for animals. So are others.

We just have to take advice for what it is - advice.

FYI - your OP (original post) would be considered "calling out" another member.

Why don't you PM (private message) her and discuss your issues with her privately? I've done that several times with DUers and it has always helped matters.

I don't think that anyone said that you don't know anything. Sometimes posts just get heated.

Peace.

[Balbus]

9. Unfortunately, I really do believe she's a veterinarian...

And that's the real tragedy.

[bettyellen]

10. this dr pierson has a posse of very hostile, all knowing fans that would

embarrass the shit out a real professional. because this hysterial posting makes you all look nutty.
but then again, i read her dreck about raw feeding, where she admits to making stuff up as she goes along, going on nothing more than her insticts and guesswork. making incorrect assumptions about dry food and dehydration. way impressive stuff.

and BTW, Skinner is the site owner, he welcomed you to the group- go see the thread pinned on the top. Pls go back and read the rules and discuss this with a mod. Calling out other DUers is wrong.

[Jo March]

12. My vet can beat up your vet, lol

We all have different opinions about what to feed our furbabies. It doesn't have to get this heated and nasty, IMHO.

:hug: to you, bettyellen.

[bettyellen]

13. it doesn't have to be nasty at all.

it's gotten so ridiculous i was afraid to ask about some dry food that was highly recommended to me.
i did anyway. i'm really curious about this royal canin stuff.
anyway, tks arnheim!
:hug: and backatcha.

[Lithos]

14. Locking per DU rules

Please do not call out other members on the board.

Lithos
DU Moderator