question

[mhlaur]

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WHy are discussions about whether or not to neuter a pet not considered medical advice but whether or not to use antibiotics unnecessarily is? I had no intention of medicating without a vet appointment first obviously. I'm just thinking ahead. I know lyme disease symptoms may not show up for awhile and I'd rather not wait. I'll let my vet decide if abx are ok but wondered about people's opinions on using them without severe symptoms first. No different than discussing neutering or not when it's not necessary.

 

[Nechochwen]

I believe the thread on Lyme disease was medical advice because a specific animal with specific symptoms was being asked about. The spay/neuter thread is discussing the general practice of a technique practiced in shelter medicine. If an individual had asked whether or not they should neuter/spay their own dog, then the thread would be asking for medical advice.

Now I believe a thread asking about antibiotic resistance promoted by improper medication and asking for people's opinions/knowledge would be appropriate. It's when a specific pet and a course of action is being requested (directly or indirectly).

I think that's how the facts sit right now, but who knows.

 

[mhlaur]

I guess with experience here, people just learn to 'word things the right way'. Don't see the difference really. Shouldn't have mentioned my dog. Just should have asked about general issues of using antibiotics. Just think that the background info is important too in any discussion. The neuter thread starts out with someone saying 'my friend's pet was neutered at 6wks....'. That's a specific pet as well. She/He's asking about future potential health issues in that specific pet. My intention was not for a vet diagnosis online. I should have worded it differently. Was interested in thoughts on giving antibiotics just in case even if a dog doesn't have lyme disease. Even human doctors rarely believe people have lyme disease. Just saw a documentary about it last night. People suffering because the doctors always insist that lyme disease is so rare that they don't even want to test for it.

 

[dyachei]

General questions about animal health or veterinary practice patterns (ie: ages to spay or neuter) are within the scope of the veterinary forums. Specific questions for advice about your pet or a friend's pet are considered veterinary care advice threads and are not within the scope of the veterinary forums. Please refer to the medical advice thread at the top of the forum to review the policy.

 

[Nechochwen]

The spay/neuter question was discussing an action that had taken place in the past and the results of that action.

You're post was inquiring about a future undecided action.

The first is a critique/evaluation/opinion. The second is advice.

It does seem like a person could simply "phrase" themselves around the problem to get information, but that would be their decision to be deceptive.

Understand that I'm a relatively new poster and may not be explaining it just right, but this is my opinion.