[Anxious1]

Thank you! I have been reading some of the posts like "such and such HELP ME!!!" with alarm and seeing the numbers increasing too.

Thank you for taking the time to write this and it should be stickied!

[Brina]

Great thread. Especially with issues such as colic and founder, it utterly amazes me that people do not call the vet first. If the vet has already been called and is on their way, then perhaps log on to be calmed down through the process.

What bothers me even more, is the threads that are posted with some type of emergency, the ever present "call your vet!" response is given, and then the person proceeds to stay online trying to make light of the situation.

Honestly, if I ever had a horse which required medical attention - I would first and foremost call the vet, be with the horse, make sure everything was okay - then come on HGS later and post of the scare.

[Spotted Mustang]

I agree with this being stickied.

And I too just shake my head at people who post things like that.

If your arm is broken or your child is running a very high fever, do you go to a forum? No, of course not. You go to the emergency room or a doctor at the very least.

Your horse's care is no different. When in doubt, call the vet. Better safe than sorry!

This forum is wonderful, but it cannot take the place of an actual vet who is there and can see, touch, and hear the horse.

[doublebarr]

Originally Posted by Lindsayanne

Absolutely. Everyone knows if it's a real emergency you get on the phone and CALL doublebarr for advice. LOL


(Just poking fun at myself, guys, vets around here take hours to call you back- if they bother- so if I don't get a vet first round through my contacts list, I call doublebarr. )

Originally Posted by PaintedRocket

LOL!! I would LOVE to call Cindy (doublebarr) for emergencies and advice (I havent tried calling her just to bug her yet hehe).. but I'd be scared to look at the bill when it arrived, LOL..

DANG! Thats what I've been forgetting. *smacks self in forehead* Lindsay, the next time I want credit at your "store"

I am FAR from being a vet, but any time you want or need to call Renee, you just dial the phone. I've been called at 2AM in the morning and do not mind in the least if it can help someone in a panic. But, my general stock answer, is to get to the vet as soon as possible, after doing what we can till the vet can be reached.

[Gypsy Rose]

Originally Posted by Brina

Great thread. Especially with issues such as colic and founder, it utterly amazes me that people do not call the vet first. If the vet has already been called and is on their way, then perhaps log on to be calmed down through the process.

What bothers me even more, is the threads that are posted with some type of emergency, the ever present "call your vet!" response is given, and then the person proceeds to stay online trying to make light of the situation.

Honestly, if I ever had a horse which required medical attention - I would first and foremost call the vet, be with the horse, make sure everything was okay - then come on HGS later and post of the scare.

Well said!

I agree this thread should be stickied, too. It's a good reminder for people that most of us are not vets, here, which is why we tell people "call your vet!!!)

Then, like Brina and a few others have stated, you can post about it later!

[WildHorseSpirit]

Sadly most people think oh let me go to the forum and see what they think, cause I really can't or don't want another vet bill.
Whoops sorry folks it comes with the territory.
It bothers me as well that people cannot dial a phone but can sit and type while their horse is in agony.
If you, like the one poster can be right there with your horse at the same time, fine no harm especially if a vet is enroute. But if you can't then don't you need to be with your horse at his or her time of need.
I may be an old horsegirl but my horse comes first and I can handle major incidents but always the vet is summoned. I would rather have a vet bill then a dead horse.

[WildHorseSpirit]

PS My vets call back darn quick! That is why my horses have 4 vets plus a specialist LOL If you don't succeed try, try again. My cell phone is loaded with vet numbers but my doctor isn't on there LOL

[4hooves4me2]

I have always wondered these things..."I've got blood shooting out at LEAST 12 inches from the leg-WHAT DO I DO??". Next post..."HE DIED-JUST FELL OVER DEAD"...ummmmmm...yup...that can happen.

I may come here for advice-but if it is a real emergency-you can bet dial-up on a computer isn't gonna be quick enough for what I have going on. LOL!

HOWEVER-I may see the vet-and not be settled with the opinion I received and get on here for seconds and thirds on my particular issue. More 'taters' in the pot can just make the stew better...just make sure you have the meat in there first to get the broth going... In other words-more opinions are good-but the vet lays out your main plan to follow and give you a heads up...

[AintNoSaint]

Good thread! Yes, preaching to the choir some more, but just an interesting story...I was checking out Yahoo! Answers the other day and someone had put a post that said something like "HELP! DOG BIRTHING PROBLEM." I couldn't help myself and proceeded to read...(my thoughts in red) this person says "my dog is having puppies (like right now?! what the **** are you doing on the computer?!) and the last time she had a litter they all came out pretty fast and it was normal, but this time it is taking a long time and one of the puppies that came out has no hair and is having trouble breathing. (omg!!) It looks like a pig fetus. (that is bad!) Should I give them vitamins to help them get healthier? (you can't be serious)" After laughing hysterically I realized this person might actually be serious and then I got mad at them and had to agree with all the other people who answered the question and told this person that he/she was a complete jacka$$ and had no business owning animals let alone breeding them. The internet is a dangerous place for stupid people!

[horse_lover231]

Ditto! Tottally agree! Call the Vet first if it is a serious problem then ask what people on the forum think.