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  Whack and Roll
Posts: 6342
   
Location: NE Texas | Hypothetically if you had access to an equine veterinarian at your fingertips in a forum type setting with a small monthly membership fee to ask and discuss any issues, illnesses, injuries, read x-rays, etc., would you take advantage of it? This would be a place where we could all discuss nutrition, joint injections, lamenesses, etc, etc and have a very qualified professional there to take some of the guess work out for us, give us a second opinion, educate us on how and why things happen, and we could continue to learn from each other, all the while learning from a veterinarian. Is this something you would take advantage of? And if so, what would you consider to be a fair monthly fee for a service like this? Any opinions or ideas are welcome here. What about first month free and reduced memberships if you make a 6 or 12 month commitment?
Edited by Herbie 2015-08-05 8:27 AM
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 Expert
Posts: 1857
| I would have a hard time paying not knowing the vet and their credentials. Plus I feel like I can almost google anything and find a scientific study to answer my question or just call my own trusted vet for free. |
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 Undercover Amish Mafia Member
Posts: 9991
Location: Kansas | I think it would be neat.....but the only downside I can see to it, is they are not physically there to see the horses movement...etc. |
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 Namesless in BHW
Posts: 10368
Location: At the race track with Ah Dee Ohs | Heck yeah...great idea!  |
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I Am a Snake Killer
Posts: 1927
Location: Golden Gulf Coast of Texas | Could you get a vet to do this without seeing the horse hands on? Seems like it could be a liability for him/her. I like the idea tho. |
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 Expert
Posts: 5290
| There is already a site just Like this. Its www.horseadvice.com Robert N. Ogelsby is the vet on there. I am not sure what people pay but there is a membership fee. you can browse the topics for free, just need to pay to ask questions... |
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Whack and Roll
Posts: 6342
Location: NE Texas | I can certainly understand that it could be hard to invest in the knowledge of a vet you didn't know personally or not knowing the credentials of, but if you found out the vet had very high credentials and was more than just a "here's a prescription" type vet, would that change your thoughts? Someone who could and would explain things in ways we can understand, discuss different options or treatments that are both traditional and maybe non traditional?
I think it would be nice to at least have a professional to access even if it's nothing more than a second opinion to look at an xray or ask about different options for a moody mare or hot horse. Might even be an opportunity to post videos and analyze them from a vets perspective.
It would have been neat to have someone like this involved in our discussions on ionophores and how they affect a horse. Or even posts on ulcer treatments and how that affects a horse long term.....or joint injections, etc.
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Whack and Roll
Posts: 6342
Location: NE Texas | I'm not saying that this vet would be here to diagnose problems with your horse, i'm saying this would be a discussion forum to discuss any and all topics relating to horse health, soundness, nutrition, etc. There would still be discussion like we do here, but an option for a vet to get in too and help us all where we have questions. No liability, as there would be no diagnosis given, unless reading an x-ray or looking at something like that.
The vet who has helped me get my colt back on track, when three other vets who saw him hands on failed, has posed this question to me as to whether or not others would be interested in something like this....the opportunity for us to continue to learn from each other, and him be there to answer any specific questions we may have.
Edited by Herbie 2015-07-21 1:16 PM
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 Good Grief!
Posts: 6343
Location: Cap'n Joan Rotgut.....alberta | no...because if i have issues or concerns i call my vet, i can send him videos of anything (and he tells me if he thinks he needs to see them or not)..and what to do for them..........and hes a very very VERY good horse vet..
m |
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 Own It and Move On
Location: The edge of no where | I'd use it....in addition to annoying my vet with my endless questions. |
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Whack and Roll
Posts: 6342
Location: NE Texas | Yes, I have a couple of vets I use when I need to take a horse somewhere and I do annoy them from time to time as well. But occasionally I know that I would like someone to bounce some things off of or get an opinion from that doesn't stand to make a ton of money off of me every time I walk in the clinic through injections, medications, etc. Or when my vets have exhasuted all their options through medications, this would be a place to discuss further options. |
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Whack and Roll
Posts: 6342
Location: NE Texas | It would be run through this website, www.secondvet.com, and with a membership of say, $10-$12 a month, you could ask the vet any question you wanted, and we could learn from each others issues. This would be an opportunity to have open discussions both with each other and with a vet as a board member.
I can see this being beneficial in alot of our discussions honestly. While there are alot of very knowledgeable people here, I know I want to continue to learn and educate myself as well.
We all have vets we use that are hands on and that we trust, and this would absolutely NOT be a replacement for that relationship, it would be an addtional relationship to add to our arsenal.
Edited by Herbie 2015-07-21 1:32 PM
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| mruggles - 2015-07-21 1:15 PM
no...because if i have issues or concerns i call my vet, i can send him videos of anything (and he tells me if he thinks he needs to see them or not)..and what to do for them..........and hes a very very VERY good horse vet..
m
That's what I do to, I call my vet who knows all my horses by first name (sad I know) and he gives me advice on anything and everything. |
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Common Sense and then some
Location: So. California | I think an annual fee would work better. There are many months, that I don't require a vet or advice from a vet and wouldn't pay for a service that I don't use. However, that once a year, OMG I have a problem!, might make it worth my while. I would consider an annual commitment, depending upon cost.
Would this site include "specialty" areas? For example denistry?
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 That's White "Man" to You
Posts: 5515
| I'd pay for it. We only have one bet in our area. I'd gladly pay to have a second opinion. |
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Whack and Roll
Posts: 6342
Location: NE Texas | Anniemae - 2015-07-21 1:41 PM I think an annual fee would work better. There are many months, that I don't require a vet or advice from a vet and wouldn't pay for a service that I don't use. However, that once a year, OMG I have a problem!, might make it worth my while. I would consider an annual commitment, depending upon cost.
Would this site include "specialty" areas? For example denistry?
Good idea! What about a discount for those who choose an annual membership? I know there could be some who just want to access the site in the OMG moment, but there others of us who like to discuss things daily that I know for me, personally, a vet would be a great addition too and would save me alot of googling and guesswork. LOL |
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 Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
| I have that now with my vet so I don't think I would pay for this although it is a good idea. Matt gives his cell to repeat clients and is fantastic about answering all kind of questions that I email or text him- I am careful not to abuse it. He knows my horses and their particular needs. I will say years ago when I used other vets there were situations where a second opinion would have been nice. |
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That's White "Man" to You
Posts: 5515
| Herbie - 2015-07-21 1:48 PM Anniemae - 2015-07-21 1:41 PM I think an annual fee would work better. There are many months, that I don't require a vet or advice from a vet and wouldn't pay for a service that I don't use. However, that once a year, OMG I have a problem!, might make it worth my while. I would consider an annual commitment, depending upon cost.
Would this site include "specialty" areas? For example denistry?
Good idea! What about a discount for those who choose an annual membership? I know there could be some who just want to access the site in the OMG moment, but there others of us who like to discuss things daily that I know for me, personally, a vet would be a great addition too and would save me alot of googling and guesswork. LOL
I'm the type that likes to prepay for a discount. The annual idea is great but not a deal breaker. |
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Hungarian Midget Woman
Location: Midwest | Not something I would pay for as I have several local vets, two universities, and several other Equine hospitals to choose from... but I think it might be helpful to those who live in rural areas. |
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Common Sense and then some
Location: So. California | Whiteboy - 2015-07-21 12:15 PM Herbie - 2015-07-21 1:48 PM Anniemae - 2015-07-21 1:41 PM I think an annual fee would work better. There are many months, that I don't require a vet or advice from a vet and wouldn't pay for a service that I don't use. However, that once a year, OMG I have a problem!, might make it worth my while. I would consider an annual commitment, depending upon cost.
Would this site include "specialty" areas? For example denistry?
Good idea! What about a discount for those who choose an annual membership? I know there could be some who just want to access the site in the OMG moment, but there others of us who like to discuss things daily that I know for me, personally, a vet would be a great addition too and would save me alot of googling and guesswork. LOL
I like the option of annual or monthly, depending upon individual needs. Why not provide a choice! 
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 Take a Picture
Posts: 12838
| I call my vet. |
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 Thick and Wavy
Posts: 6102
Location: Nebraska | while it seems like a great idea, I wouldn't pay for it. |
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Whack and Roll
Posts: 6342
Location: NE Texas | This wouldn't be a replacement for our current vet, or our relationship with your current vet, as he/she does know us and our horses, our history, etc. They vets we use on a routine basis should always be contacted first and foremost to treat any acute issue. In some cases, unfortunately, and at some point I think we all will deal with a chronic case of some kind. This is what happened to me and what brought me this direction. I have three vets in my area that I think most would agree are quite capable. This particular horse was also seen by another vet in OK who is a very good vet as well. We had exhausted all resources per the OK vet and two of the three I use here. The third vet here wanted to do surgery but couldn't tell me how that would improve the overall situation. Basically all 4 vets said to turn him out, that he'd never compete again and would likely continue to worsen as he aged (the horse is a 5 YO now, and in the first 45 days of open competition outran Kellies Chick and Marthas Six Shooter)...I wasn't willing to take NO for an answer!!! I was dealing with a very chronic issue that was not only career ending (per my vet who knows me and the horse), but life threatening long term, and we had exhausted all medications and therapies my vets had recommended, I had spent thousands of dollars in the process, and had even exhausted all ideas BHW had to offer(LOL!!!).
At this point I began to seek out non traditional therapies, herbs, etc, which led me to Dr. Schell and his program. Through our consultations, he never once tried to push any product on me. He just listened to me and asked questions about my horse, his care, my nutrition program, what therapies we had tried, how my horse had reacted to these therapies, etc. He asked me questions and we discussed different things. Once he got a handle on my situation, we began to make changes in my program to try to get this horse back on track. He explained to me along the way why the traditional therapies hadn't been successful, and why, in his opinion, this different course of action could and would be successful. Thank goodness I didn't quit with the traditional therapies my vets had to offer. Thank goodness I didn't rely solely on them to treat this particular horse or give up when they told me there was nothing else that could be done.
I think the bottom line is that we, as owners, believe they are not or will not be in these shoes...but unfortunately we we will. Some of us, when in that situation, will be at peace with what has been done and accept that nothing more can be done...but then we have the other group that insists on understanding and seeking other options. Just this year we have seen rachellyn80 have to do her own research and get her own answers as to what was going on with her horses and the feed toxicity issue she's been dealing with. I know she too has spent thousands at the vet trying to get this figured out. She's treated her horses for epm, and yet still had no answers. It takes an army to raise a child, and I truly believe it takes that or more to keep a horse at the top of the game physically and mentally. I hope that if this service is offered, those of you who say you will go to your vet will also become a member, as there is much to be offered beyond what we can get from our personal vet, not matter how well they know us and our horses. There are some of us who are given a less than stellar prognosis for their horse, and they will accept it and move on. There are others of us who want to know and understand WHY we are having these issues and if there are ways we can stop these issues before they start....I am one of them and there are many, many more.
This website would be an opportunity to broaden our horizons even more. In most cases, vets are time constrained or they don't fully know or understand the impact of nutrition or herbs or the process of inflammation (just today Flitastic was talking about a vet who said there was no way a horse could digest whole oats). Some vets don't even do teeth. Some vets have no idea how to pull a shoe correctly. That is okay, but the point is there is more information out there that the vets may not be privy to, or haven't kept up with the research or continued their education on and thus we, as owners, are not privy to that information as well if we are solely relying on one or two vets. It is up to the US to seek this information out; the goal with the forum would be to create a short cut to that information. This particular vet is well versed from basic vaccines to colic surgeries and cryptorchid procedures, even reproduction and insemination, and has also studied Chinese medicines and how herbs and are used to treat different illnesses.
I really think this would be a great opportunity for us to continue our education, and I am looking forward to the opportunity to be a part of this forum should it get up and running! Since going through all of this with my horse, I am hungry for information. I used to be very closed minded about thinks that weren't traditional therapies. I can honestly say a year ago I too would have probably said thanks, but no thanks, to an opportunity like this, but having dealt with the chronic issues i've had to this year, and having read about the troubles of so many others (rachellyn80, SG, etc.) whose programs I have admired and respected for years, have dealt with, there is a need for something like like this to help get us the extra mile.
Edited by Herbie 2015-07-21 4:37 PM
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 Expert
Posts: 2097
Location: Deep South | I think it is a very neat idea. It reminds a little of Horse Side Vet Guide though. It's an app that provides assistance from a credible vet. I think it's $5.00 to download the app and they continually add new info to it and allow you to submit questions/topics of discussion. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 596
Location: Somewhere in the middle of nowhere | This is really similar to what our school district offers its employees for a small monthly fee to diagnose colds, flu and other symptons, only you face time a dr or call and they call you back. They then will call you in a prescription to your pharmacy....and you never have to visit the dr office and pay the office visit fee. |
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I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| Herbie, I certainly would. I have texted questions to the vet I think you are referring to and I really like him. I like professionals who are not afraid of thinking outside the box. |
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 You get what you give
Posts: 13030
Location: Texas | Well, in two years, I'll let you know. Kidding kidding.. I would think ethically a vet should have a hard time accepting money for "referral" questions on the internet. What kind of liability is there if they are giving out paid advice in a forum setting and something ends up terribly wrong because they don't have an established client-patient-doctor relationship, don't have all the facts, and miss something because they can't SEE the animal and have never seen it before? It's hard to know whats going on based on the internet and pictures.. I would think they would hesitate to give more than generalizations to people they've never met before. That's the first thing I thought of in my soon-to-be-vet mind.
To answer the question on ionophores- it causes skeletal and cardiac muscle myopathy when fed to monogastrics. |
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Whack and Roll
Posts: 6342
Location: NE Texas | casualdust07 - 2015-07-21 4:08 PM Well, in two years, I'll let you know. Kidding kidding.. I would think ethically a vet should have a hard time accepting money for "referral" questions on the internet. What kind of liability is there if they are giving out paid advice in a forum setting and something ends up terribly wrong because they don't have an established client-patient-doctor relationship, don't have all the facts, and miss something because they can't SEE the animal and have never seen it before? It's hard to know whats going on based on the internet and pictures.. I would think they would hesitate to give more than generalizations to people they've never met before. That's the first thing I thought of in my soon-to-be-vet mind. To answer the question on ionophores- it causes skeletal and cardiac muscle myopathy when fed to monogastrics.
Amongst other things. I don't think the general diagnosis is what we're talking about here. I think it's the discussion of everything from what are your thoughts on nebulizers, to the difference between pre and probiotics, to chronic cases like my horse that I described above that was treated and given up on by three different well respected vets.
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Meanest Teacher!!!
Posts: 8552
Location: sunny california | not sure i would pay for advice that seems to be available through research. if some scripts come with it, that would be nice. it would be nice to at least get adequan called in to like farm vet quickly or other scripts. pretty sure the vet has to see the horse and have a file on them to write scripts though |
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 I Chore in Chucks
Posts: 2882
Location: MD | If it was affordable, yes! would the amount you use them be unlimited?
I would add that if I would NOT use the service if canceling it is anything similar to canceling a gym membership. That crap is ridiculous. I shouldn't have to give you a reason, two months worth of fees, a sample of my blood and my first born to get rid of something I've already probably stopped using a few months prior. |
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Whack and Roll
Posts: 6342
Location: NE Texas | Crowned Image - 2015-07-21 4:50 PM If it was affordable, yes! would the amount you use them be unlimited? I would add that if I would NOT use the service if canceling it is anything similar to canceling a gym membership. That crap is ridiculous. I shouldn't have to give you a reason, two months worth of fees, a sample of my blood and my first born to get rid of something I've already probably stopped using a few months prior. HAHA, yes, unlimited I think. All that would be required for cancellation is a kidney or maybe your pinky finger. HAHAHA
Edited by Herbie 2015-07-21 4:59 PM
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I Chore in Chucks
Posts: 2882
Location: MD | Herbie - 2015-07-21 5:56 PM
Crowned Image - 2015-07-21 4:50 PM If it was affordable, yes! would the amount you use them be unlimited? I would add that if I would NOT use the service if canceling it is anything similar to canceling a gym membership. That crap is ridiculous. I shouldn't have to give you a reason, two months worth of fees, a sample of my blood and my first born to get rid of something I've already probably stopped using a few months prior. HAHA, yes, unlimited I think. All that would be required for cancellation is a kidney or maybe your pinky finger. HAHAHA
Okay cool. I can live without a pinky. It's kinda crooked anyway |
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 Quarter Horse HIstorian
Posts: 2878
Location: Aubrey, Texas | I would gladly do it. I love my vet but I like to do my researching late at night. I don't think Dr. McCarroll would appreciate it if I called him at 11 pm with a hypothetical question. It would be nice just to have the discussions archived so I could scroll through them at my leisure. And, as someone else mentioned, if it is the vet I think it is, I would like to learn more about his views on health issues. |
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 Off the Wall Wacky
Posts: 2981
Location: Louisiana | Whiteboy - 2015-07-21 1:45 PM
I'd pay for it. We only have one bet in our area. I'd gladly pay to have a second opinion.
The vet I use for injections, x-rays, etc -the performance vet- is 3 hours away.
The vets around the house I just use for coggins, stitches, emergencies, etc. And while I trust T-Bo's vet, someone else always has a different approach! |
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 Pork Fat is my Favorite
Posts: 3791
Location: The Oklahoma plains. | Definitely sounds interesting. |
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 Not Afraid to Work
Posts: 4717
| I would certainly be interested. I like my vet but even with my recent diagnosis on my horse I have so many questions and i did email his radiographs for a second opinion and so I was spreading out my annoying amount of questions...
I still have more questions |
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Whack and Roll
Posts: 6342
Location: NE Texas | For those who were interested in this opportunity, the forum is up and running and you have the ability to conversate directly with Dr. Schell. He posted a topic regarding feeding whole grains and has opened the forum for no charge to discuss this topic. Be sure and join at no charge and ask any questions about this topic, or others you may have. This is a great opportunity to learn and educate ourselves even further regarding how to best care for our horses from someone who is a licensed veterinarian and who has, and continues, to research and improve our programs. Not limited to equine discussions either, we can discuss companion animals as well as human issues. Check it out! www.secondvet.com, forum tab. |
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Expert
Posts: 2097
Location: Deep South | Herbie - 2015-08-05 8:30 AM
For those who were interested in this opportunity, the forum is up and running and you have the ability to conversate directly with Dr. Schell. He posted a topic regarding feeding whole grains and has opened the forum for no charge to discuss this topic. Be sure and join at no charge and ask any questions about this topic, or others you may have. This is a great opportunity to learn and educate ourselves even further regarding how to best care for our horses from someone who is a licensed veterinarian and who has, and continues, to research and improve our programs. Not limited to equine discussions either, we can discuss companion animals as well as human issues. Check it out! www.secondvet.com, forum tab.
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Whack and Roll
Posts: 6342
Location: NE Texas | Pretty exciting. There is an oppprtunity to discuss PSSM, feeding and nutrition, and a picture of a hoof with some questions. Or you can post your own topic for discussion. I hope others take advantage of this opportunity to get our questions answered directly by the person conducting the research! |
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Namesless in BHW
Posts: 10368
Location: At the race track with Ah Dee Ohs |
I signed up! |
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I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| I signed up to! |
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Whack and Roll
Posts: 6342
Location: NE Texas | Don't be afraid to join in or post your own questions! |
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Pork Fat is my Favorite
Posts: 3791
Location: The Oklahoma plains. | Thanks Herbie! |
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If you had access to a veterinarian.....UPDATE.....IT'S AVAILABLE!