Do you think that this is dangerous?

Question

most know how i feel, but i wanted to ask because it makes me alittle worried:

do you think that it's a bit dangerous to ask for equine medical advice from people you dont know? and dangerous to give out advice when you dont know the person your giving advice to?

i can see the good things in asking equine medical questions, like for example, my vet said this and i was wondering if anyone could explain it more. . . but what about the people who have injured horses (in ways they a. didnt fully explain or b. didnt fully know what was wrong) ?

do you think that giving out equine medical advice makes you responsible for whatever happens? if you tell someone their horse should be fine in a few days, just give some bute. . . if the horse isnt fine in a few days does that make you responsible (even just alittle) for the out come of the horse? or is it the person's fault for asking and listening to you?

just a few question, please answer at least one question.

note: not trying to be mean, but rather understand why so many people ask these types of "dangerous" questions.

Answer 1

Well, if you own a horse (and it isn't dead yet) chances are, that you will know a rock from a tree. If the question is "what should i do to increase heal time on this big open wound that my horse has" your not going to fall for "put toothpaste on it."

Anyone with half a brain will know dumb advice from smart.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

Read this question, and then read the first two answers. Whether they work or not, i am going to go ahead and NOT try those "tricks" lysol isn't something that was meant to heal a horse, nor was listerine. That is crazy talk.

when looking for advice on yahoo answers, you have to use common sense.

Good Question though!! =]  

Answer 2

I  would take this more seriously than most, since I am a professional in this field.  The fact is, when anyone asks a question on a site like this, they are fully aware of the fact that this is what it is, and the advice is what it is.  Anyone answering may be what they say they are, or not.  There is an implied mutual agreement to take it all lightly.

When any of us, including all of the doctors and nurses and allied pros on Y/A,  answer questions, we are morally accountable to the degree that we take that seriously, but not legally accountable for our answers. None of us would ever answer a single question here if we were legally liable for the interpretations that might come out of it and end up in practice.

Your question is one of morals....and of common sense.  I believe that many people believe that if something they did once for one horse worked, then it is worthy of advising others to do.  It's up to the asker to weed that out.  If you are on here getting medical advice to save money by not calling a vet, how dumb is that?  If you are here to get experiential advice, either because you don't know if a vet is needed, or just for the information, then why not?  I give advice to help....I am accountable for giving the best advice I can based on the facts presented, and on my experience in my field.  I am not responsible for how it is used or misused after it is given.

Answer 3

Advice is just that: advice. Answerers are not forcing the askers to do some type of medical care. There should be a disclaimer on here saying that advice given on here is not equal to a visit by a qualified veterinarian.

With being on the internet, it's easy to a) not give enough information about your situation to warrant the best answer according to the real situation, and b) as an answerer, make a picture in your head that resembles the actual situation, but a few key clues may be missing regarding the horse's condition that a vet wouldn't miss and would piece together.

Sometimes people ask questions on here, but they don't check back until they pick a best answer, therefore missing out on answering questions asked by answerers. Sometimes I'll ask a question about a horse's condition that could mean the difference in diagnosis between, say, colic and founder.

Unfortunately, some people who come on here don't have the common sense to even call the vet to ask advice. For most minor stuff, the vet doesn't even need to come out.

It's the difference between the inconvenience of a phone call and sitting on one's butt at the computer that can make the difference in the quality of care for the horse.

I don't mind it when someone has a problem on the weekend and they've talked to the vet but they can't come out until Monday.

But some people get all pissed off when they take the advice of answerers over their vet and they end up with a bigger vet bill because now the wound is infected or it was really founder and not colic and the longing the horse for several hours tore so much of the laminae that the horse needs to be in a sling... etc. etc. etc.

So to answer the original question...

Knowledge is dangerous to those who are too stupid to spend that extra buck to call the vet when they notice something is wrong.

Most vets don't mind a phone call; they prefer it to having to truck out to your farm in the middle of nowhere at three o'clock in the morning because your horse is colicking and is now cast in a mud puddle out in the field.

There should be a test or something to be able to answer medical questions on here.

Answer 4

Not very many people that are responsible horse owners take advice from those they do not know or respect greatly.  If you think your horse has a serious problem giving them bute just dulls the pain it doesn't heal it..  and is not good to use unless you have something like ringbone and the horse needs to be dulled down to be able to be used..  

No it is not good to give advice without some serious experience and knowledge to back it up, but unfortunately, many do.  They shouldn't and also unfortunately can't be held responsible when they cause great harm or small harm.  

I haven't noticed a lot of vet questions on here.. but maybe I've just missed them.

Good luck in your search for answers!

Answer 5

this is a very good topic to bring up. there are tons of equine message boards with people who are quick to draw and answer questions based on thier knowledge and experience.

It's great that people want to help other people and give advice, but what if the person who is asking the question hasn't given all the information? That would lead the person who is answering the question to give advice that is incorrect, which could cause serious aftermath, injury, death of an animal or human, be more of a hinderance than of help, etc.

it's my hope that people can take the advice with a grain of salt and seek one on one professional help when it comes to a serious medical issue or condition and get one on one professional medical advice before making a decision and using common sense. I almost want to put up a disclaimer on posts that have to do with medical advice and training but I wont' answer if i'm not sure on the subject.

It's just my humble opinion, I've learned that what works for you might not work for me and vice versa and we all need to respect that.

Answer 6

I don't think anyone should tell another about how much medicine to use.  All horses are different.  

I wonder how many know that they can kill a horse with a penicillin injection?  Even if the horse was totally fine the previous time it was given the injection.  To this day...it bothers me when I have to use penicillin for the 'second' time ever for a horse.

Again...I try to tell people what "I" would do or have done to my OWN horses.  But still not for dispensing medicine and the doses.

Many of us have the thought..."Well, it worked for me" and don't take into consideration that another horse is...just that...another totally different horse.  With different allergies, temps, respirations, heart rates, and whatever else.

I have asked before about types of analgesics [sp]...I think that's the word I'm looking for...

Anyways, for when my horse needed suturing.  And I had to do it myself.  No way would I recommend to anyone to do that themselves.

I think we ARE responsible if we give advice and someone takes it.  For medical or training...either one.

I don't think it's bad to say what types of medicine YOU have used in the past for a similar problem.  But it still boils down, that when someone is asking questions...then a vet needs to be consulted.  Because the vet is the one with the license.

Answer 7

Yeah, I agree it could be dangerous. But people who own their own horses should be smart enough not to completely trust info on here

Answer 8

I think you have a really good point of view and it wasn't until I read this that I even gave it a thought. Well it is a little worrying that people can give out the wrong advice and others simply take it. I think it is ok to give out advice but it's best If you actually know what you are talking about, especially when it comes to an animals health. If someone has given you a really detailed answer and a website to say where they found that out it would be a good idea to take a look. You as someone writing a responce should take care in what you say and not just write what you think and the person who put the question out there should really look into the responses and not simply think what the stranger who replied said actually is right. I don't think that If something happened to a horse because the owner took the wrong advice, means it's their fault for taking and listening to the person who gave the advise but I don't think it's the person who gave it either. Really, it's both. The person for writing the wrong thing and the owner for taking it. I two am a little worried but as long as we make the write choice when things like this come up and not just jump on the first answer that sounds write, we should all be fine.

Answer 9

Well, I don't think people should be responsible for the horses condition, they don't even know the person , let alone horse.  I understand what your saying, some of the questions are not explained properly and the answerer's might misunderstand and might suggest something that isn't the best for the horse's health.  They didn't know though.  I personally try to avoid these questions because I know for a fact that I'm not licensed and don't want to give the wrong edvise.  I totally get what your saying.

Answer 10

At the end of the day, you can only hope the owner of the horse has some sense. Even if they don't, they're the ones ultimately accountable to their horse. The way I look at it, I'd much rather they ask bc it shows they're at least thinking about it rather than just shrugging whatever it is off and ignoring it all together, which as we all know, the bad apples can and will do. Then there's the group that asks because they honestly don't know. When I respond, I speak in enough specifics to be helpful but not TOO MANY specifics to be damaging, if the potential for that is there. And I'd never suggest direct medical intervention, such as giving a shot of whatever. Heck no!

I think a lot of people ask these questions for reassurance that they are not overreacting. I've asked some questions to get a better idea of options available to me. It's usually along the lines of, my vet came, this is what she said, these were the results...now everyone tell me if this has happened to you, how did you treat. I want to make sure I'm aware of all possible treatments so I can further research in case whatever my vet suggested wasn't working or I didn't like the sound of it, for whatever informed reason. I admit, I'm a total pain with my vet. I stay right in the middle of it and it's a good thing I do, because there have been times when bc I knew of something else we went that route and it worked out more to my peace of mind and my horse's benefit.

I do wish people would stop treating bute as both harmless and the cure for everything though. That drives me nuts.

Answer 11

OMG! i have never thought about it like that before!

Yes i do know think it is very dangerous to be asking some of those questions. LIke if your horse has a huge cut on its leg or something. Or if he cant walk because a bruise, or if is eye swelled. But some are just trying to figure out if other people have been through it, and if it will be ok.

Yes that is totally bad, you should not give advice unless you know more about the situation, you can share what has happened to you, but not tell them what to do.

Well then they should have a vet, and not be asking on here unless then actually new what was hap ping.

In some way yes, and in other no. On here you are just trying to help or make your self sound smart buy giving wrong advice. While no, because they asked for help, and thats all you are doing. Your not littler threating them to do this or that.

If it was me and i gave advice, and they followed it without consulting a professional, then i wouldn't count my self responsible at all. However i would feel very guilty and bad.

I believe it would be the persons fault. You should always consult a professional, and not just someone who says they are. A vet would be the best. Never anyone you met online.

lol i answerd all!

Answer 12

Sorry, I don't know you.  I am relatively new to the yahoo forum.

I have found that this forum has many experience horseman on it.  It is a good source of information.  Most of the experienced individuals do not give out medical advise.  They tell the person to seek Vet care and sometimes they may suggest a possible direction.  

Sometimes an individual has gone to several Vets and it has not solved their issue.  Then they come here to ask if anyone has run into a similar situation or do they know someone who has.  They are just searching for possible anwsers.  What did they do to solve the issue?, did they solve the issue?, or perhaps a website or any helpful tips.

This forum is no different then asking a friend or fellow horseman at a show or barn advise.  You as the individual are responsible to collect the information and check with other sources to confirm it's validity.  Then, the choice is yours to put the advise into action.

There are many medical journals out there.  Anyone can read them, the writer is not responsible if the person does not seek professional help.  They are just publishing their findings.  It is up to the individual what they do with it.

On the other side of the coin.  I agree, that we need to be careful what advise we give to those we do not know.  I frequently ask clarifying questions.  If I am not sure that I understand the question, I don't answer it.  

I do wish when I ask the clarifying questions, that the person would answer them to the best of their ability.  I do want to help, but sometimes just need a little more info.  I do want to say I appreciate those that do.

I know my anwser probably doesn't change how you feel about it. Perhaps it will just give you another way of looking at it.