my thoughts..........a little bit long........

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Posted by cwatbay on September 28, 2000 at 10:51:24:

In Reply to: Taking a moment....... posted by Harry's Dad on September 27, 2000 at 15:10:47:

First, I agree with HD.

I think that this forum is great for general discussion amongst hobbists. Which is what we are. You can also use the word amateurs.

I appreciate getting anecdotal and subjective information especially on behavior and husbandry. However when it comes to medical matters, I use this forum as one of many sources of information. Mostly I use it to bring the subject up to my vet and then hear what his response is and how he qualifies his opinion.

I realize that there are undergrad and graduate biology students on this forum ( about 12 more units and I can have my degree in bio - not that I really want one ). There may even be some vets. However, in my opinion, neither of these facts makes one an undisputed expert. I know that just because someone is a vet, does not mean that one is an automatic expert on reptiles. Just like being a MD does not automatically make one a heart surgeon.

Therefore, what I do is (1) take everyone's amateur opinion; (2) talk to a reptile vet ( that's a vet with a proven history of reptile care - like surgery and possibly husbandry ); (3) compile the information; (4) make a decision.

I will admit that the vet gets the upper hand. Although we may see one or two examples or even more, the vet sees dozens or hundreds of examples or cases, plus the vet has the advantage of a biology and animal medicine background, which really can't be discounted.

Just like there are flakey MD's, there are vets that aren't so hot. Some vets should just stick with dogs and cats, but, being in a competitive commercial marketplace, there are vets that claim to be everything to everybody. In this case, it would have to be "buyer beware" and one would have to ask direct and investigative questions to the vet about his or her actual experience with reptiles.

The other problem I see in relation to all this, is the assumptions that regular posters and those that don't post make. That these assumptions have a bearing on their stated opinions and recommendations: exampls:
-what works for my ig works for everyone elses
-what works in my body must be good for my ig
-anything that is "alternative" is good
-the sales clerk at the health food store knows all the facts
-the sales person at the pet store knows all the facts
-anybody that has ever owned any other reptile knows what they are talking about
-anybody that writes a book is an expert
-any opinion that is shared by a lot of people must be a true fact
-because I own an ig, I know more than my vet
-I can avoid paying a vet by doing it myself
-owning an ig is not going to be that expensive

I do not believe that there is anyone here that is even remotely qualified to give medical advice in the context that they state it as qualified fact. Even if that person was a vet, how could one possibly make a diagnosis within doing a physical exam, tests and also knowing precisely under what conditions the ig is living or under precisely what conditions the ig got sick or injured.

Anyway, that is my opinion. Again, I agree with HD.

Follow Ups:

OMG.....what's wrong Cliff.....that's twice now, U have agreed w/me? !! n/ Harry's Dad 09/28/00 (0)
Re: my thoughts..........a little bit long........ Dishy 09/28/00 (0)
Ahem...tapping CW on shoulder Iguanamomma 09/28/00 (2)
- The context in which medical advice is given...... cwatbay 09/28/00 (1)
  - This general statement ...hits right where I am talking about.... Harry's Dad 09/28/00 (0)

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: First, I agree with HD. : I think that this forum is great for general discussion amongst hobbists. Which is what we are. You can also use the word amateurs. : I appreciate getting anecdotal and subjective information especially on behavior and husbandry. However when it comes to medical matters, I use this forum as one of many sources of information. Mostly I use it to bring the subject up to my vet and then hear what his response is and how he qualifies his opinion. : I realize that there are undergrad and graduate biology students on this forum ( about 12 more units and I can have my degree in bio - not that I really want one ). There may even be some vets. However, in my opinion, neither of these facts makes one an undisputed expert. I know that just because someone is a vet, does not mean that one is an automatic expert on reptiles. Just like being a MD does not automatically make one a heart surgeon. : Therefore, what I do is (1) take everyone's amateur opinion; (2) talk to a reptile vet ( that's a vet with a proven history of reptile care - like surgery and possibly husbandry ); (3) compile the information; (4) make a decision. : I will admit that the vet gets the upper hand. Although we may see one or two examples or even more, the vet sees dozens or hundreds of examples or cases, plus the vet has the advantage of a biology and animal medicine background, which really can't be discounted. : Just like there are flakey MD's, there are vets that aren't so hot. Some vets should just stick with dogs and cats, but, being in a competitive commercial marketplace, there are vets that claim to be everything to everybody. In this case, it would have to be "buyer beware" and one would have to ask direct and investigative questions to the vet about his or her actual experience with reptiles. : The other problem I see in relation to all this, is the assumptions that regular posters and those that don't post make. That these assumptions have a bearing on their stated opinions and recommendations: exampls: : -what works for my ig works for everyone elses : -what works in my body must be good for my ig : -anything that is "alternative" is good : -the sales clerk at the health food store knows all the facts : -the sales person at the pet store knows all the facts : -anybody that has ever owned any other reptile knows what they are talking about : -anybody that writes a book is an expert : -any opinion that is shared by a lot of people must be a true fact : -because I own an ig, I know more than my vet : -I can avoid paying a vet by doing it myself : -owning an ig is not going to be that expensive : I do not believe that there is anyone here that is even remotely qualified to give medical advice in the context that they state it as qualified fact. Even if that person was a vet, how could one possibly make a diagnosis within doing a physical exam, tests and also knowing precisely under what conditions the ig is living or under precisely what conditions the ig got sick or injured. : Anyway, that is my opinion. Again, I agree with HD. : CW

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