There’s something new happening in the world of veterinary medicine and this time I think I’ve got my finger on its pulse. Over the past month I’ve received several emails from veterinarians and animal health groups and—get this—they want to blog.
Cool, right?
As of this month, Dolittler’s been officially blogging for three years. My first post, which I’ll always recall as fondly as I do MTV’s inaugural video (remember Video Killed the Radio Star?), was not my best, but it was a start.
Though it took me another six months to launch Dolittler on its independent platform…and another six months before more than ten of you were reading it on any given day…it’s grown now so that 2,000 of you may be tuning in daily.
Nope, it’s not a lot when you compare it to some of the popular political, celebrity, food or even knitting blogs I sometimes frequent, but Dolittler’s traffic is now approximating PetConnection’s stats—and that’s amazing to me, given the fabulousness that is the pet world’s irrefutably best blog.
Nonetheless, it’s clear—especially when you compare ours with other categories—that pet health, as a subject, hasn’t yet attained the level of incredible success others have managed. And why is that, exactly?
Here’s my take (you knew it was coming, right?):
The number one reason for the pet health sector’s small online subculture status? The dearth of fellow veterinary bloggers.
For your info (and by way of building their traffic while I’m at it, if I can), here’s a rundown of who’s out there:
The PetConnection team: Though they’re not vets, their take on vet medicine is far more sophisticated than most veterinarians’—and I mean no disrespect to my fellow professionals. It’s just that this science writing and traditional journalism-trained team is not merely comprised of savvy pet owners and professional pet writers, it’s also spent years working with veterinarians as partners. That insider-outsider perspective means that in some ways they know us better than we know ourselves.
Dr. Eric Barchas’ Vet Blog on Dogster: This new generation vet has a strong animal welfare streak. And though he doesn’t write every day, I can almost always identify with his point of view.
TorontoVet: Sadly, he took the last exit outta Brooklyn and left a “Fuhgeddaboudit” sign in his wake. He hasn’t posted since November 23rd but I’m already missing his smart, sassy presence in our sphere. Come back, Torontovet!
PetPeeves: A fave of mine from my early blogging days, this ERGEEK’s license plate says it all. But she hasn’t posted since March 15th.
Dr. Vivian Carroll’s new blog: …is called The Cone of Uncertainty (Musings on Life as a Mom and a Vet). She’s a writer as well as a vet and a mom. And it’s hard to find a vet who can write. Here’s wishing she would write more often about her life as a veterinarian.
The Ask the Vet Blog by Dr. Lydia Gray: Here’s an equine blog for the horsey among us. Though she can get quite technical that’s exactly what a lot of horse people want and need. But it’s sponsored by SmartPak and I kinda have an inkling that she writes primarily to advance this brand’s agenda. Nonetheless, it’s worth it just to have her out there. Check it out.
I don’t know too many more, though some pet writers have blogs that touch on the medical quite frequently…as do some of your personal blogs. And I’m grateful for their presence, too. Indeed, we need a whole lot more of them.
There have been other vets, and a couple of vet students (Megan where’s your blog I couldn’t get there today?), but I can’t find them now…are they gone? Most are simply inactive.
It seems that most vets that blog just can’t make the time…or they never get into the groove of the blogging because it seems like so much work for so little return. And it’s true, I won’t argue the fact that blogging takes time, patience, pays nothing (mostly, anyhow) and can cost a pretty penny to start up in a manner that’ll make you proud. It’s gotta be a labor of love, and not a mere marketing tool, to make it really work…IMHO.
***
Though you might think it strange that anyone would call for more competition in any given sphere they inhabit, the reality is that numbers make us stronger. More information gives us more validity. And increased presence overall provides a wider platform and builds a bigger power base. That’s what I want. And it’s nothing less than what our pets deserve.
In fact, i've been thinking about offering my services as a speaker at some veterinary conferences in the future. Perhaps I can persuade more vets and vet techs to participate in the blogosphere, though it seems quite a few are already making the leap without my help.
Does anyone else here frequent veterinary-authored blogs I haven’t mentioned? Pet health oriented blogs I may have overlooked? Please include them in your comments below and I'll add them to the above list.
Add Comment31 Comments
Awwww, Dr. K, they're a reason why you're the PetConnection.com blog's Best Friend Forever. Thanks for the kind words. You know, though, that the secret to blogging is that it's not something that you do because you WANT to do it ... it has to be an addition. So, we don't need more bloggers. We need more 12-step programs FOR bloggers. :)
Gina Spadafori December 4th, 2008 12:27:57 PM
they're=there's :::sigh:::
Gina Spadafori December 4th, 2008 12:55:13 PM
Good stuff -- Don't forget Your Pet's Best Friend. http://www.yourpetsbestfriend.com/
Esmee December 4th, 2008 01:01:18 PM
Esmee: Funny. I couldn't find that one today while looking for it. I thought he might've pulled the plug. So glad to hear he hasn't. I'll include it on my list above, as with Dr. Steggy's recommendations.
Dr. Patty Khuly December 4th, 2008 01:09:51 PM
Hmm, maybe my blog is stressed out due to finals too :)
Looks like it's working fine now! http://winnielovesus.blogspot.com
Megan December 4th, 2008 01:15:51 PM
This neat blog is by two very smart vet techs - good style with great well-researched info. http://vettechs.blogspot.com/
Circe December 4th, 2008 01:57:10 PM
http://vetontheedge.blogspot.com is one I've been enjoying greatly of late.
Stephanie December 4th, 2008 02:46:40 PM
There is also the Bad Vet Daily, which I write based on veterinary disciplinary records. The darker side of veterinary medicine.
Bad Vet Daily
Stefani December 4th, 2008 03:29:50 PM
Ooooh...vetontheedge is GREAT! Thanks for that one, Stephanie, I hadn't been properly introduced.
Dr. Patty Khuly December 4th, 2008 03:41:53 PM
Well, thanks! [blushes] I'm glad you're enjoying my little stories. Also glad you commented, since it brought me over here... quite a cool site! I did NOT expect to meet so many interesting people by blogging, but I guess it's just another thing we can thank animals for: look how they unite people from all over, without even trying. Now, off to visit some of those sites...! [rubs hands with glee] AK Dog Doc
AKDD December 4th, 2008 04:17:02 PM
Have a look at this one Dr. K
http://webdvm.blogspot.com/
Elizabeth - From Nova Scotia December 4th, 2008 04:20:53 PM
just wanted to add, i link to Dolittler from my myspace page, and also on a parenting forum i frequent. anytime anyone questions what to do with their cat now that they are pregnant, i'm on it immediately, pasting the article you wrote and including links as well.
Charity December 4th, 2008 04:33:29 PM
As a horse owner who loves the technical stuff, and as someone who is familiar with SmartPak, I checked out the "Ask the Vet Blog". It's pretty darned good, presenting multiple views of the information that's out there to address the questions asked and well written. The author is hardly pimping for SmartPak. There's a small SmartPak logo in the upper right of the blog design and a small text link off to the side. I don't see SP's fingerprints anywhere else.
SmartPak is indeed a brand in the MBA sense of the word, but it isn't a product. It's basically just another retail source, albeit one with an awesome business concept. Here's the deal: in the beginning they saw a market need and they filled it. Horse people are notorious for having buckets of supplements that need to be scooped for individual horses. In a large barn, or a boarding situation, things get messy pretty fast. What SmartPak does is package all those supplements in daily packages (each supp with its own compartment) and ships them out monthly. The owner picks the supplements (SmartPak carries hundreds, if not thousands, of products) and Smartpak packages them neatly. It's pretty cool and the prices are in line with what other retailers charge. SmartPak has "smartly" positioned themselves as being a solution provider. That's where I see the blog fitting into their business plan.
(Dr. K., certainly the Wharton grad in you has some appreciation for all of this. >ggg<)
Deanna December 4th, 2008 06:15:30 PM
I second Esmee's "Your pet's best friend", his pictures to go with the story are great!
For those that may need awakening to some of the published discipline records all over the country (was an eye opener for me!)of bad examples of veterinary care, I would recommend Stefani's Bad Vet Daily (link above). It just may provide insight to our often skeptical or opposing views occasionally on Dolittler, beyond our personal experiences.
BadVet Daily represents the less than 5% of cases received and not suppressed from the public, countrywide and most certainly will reinforce appreciation for all those who do have honest, ethical, moral, and compassionate care for their companion pets.
Barbara A./New Hampshire
Pocket's Story from NH December 4th, 2008 08:04:04 PM
I also agree with "Pet Connection" and "Your Pet's Best Friend". And I miss the daily posts in "Pet Peeves". Also on my daily-reading list are: The Homeless Parrot All But One Species Can't Spell, DVM VETBLOG (though his posts are not too frequent; maybe once per week) I sure hope more will be forthcoming; to that end I frequently check out the frequently-read blogs listed by my favorite bloggers.
Shellie December 4th, 2008 11:58:54 PM
Hmmmm.....seems all the commas got lost in the above post.
Shellie December 5th, 2008 12:01:18 AM
Here is another one for the mix, with both vet posts and really yummy food photos:
http://ajkdvm.com/
Xslf December 5th, 2008 08:07:01 AM
I like http://www.nearlydrferox.blogging4life.com/ for a vet student perspective. And although it is a niche topic this is worth a look: http://whatikilledtoday.blogspot.com/ We could do with more blogs from vets, especially Vet GPs with an awareness of the wider issues.
emily December 5th, 2008 09:15:58 AM
emily: That's a really good one, too. Who ever said vets can't write? I'll have to revise my snarky opinion on that one.
Dr. Patty Khuly December 5th, 2008 12:12:09 PM
I visit alot of blogs but my MUST HAVE 6 blogs a day (besides my own of course)are: Dolittler Bark n Blog PetConnection VetonTheEdge missivana (not a pet blog just a girly blog) Now I have to go visit the others listed above - I would say thanks for the links but I have a feeling my "must haves" are gonna grow !
LC December 6th, 2008 12:55:46 PM
Dr. K,
Very kind of you to have mentioned my blog in this post. While I am really enjoying NYC/Brooklyn, it is time to go home, back to Toronto. I have not yet gone, but plan my return to TO at the end of December. Take care!
Dr. Cliff
TorontoVet December 7th, 2008 09:13:20 AM
Hi Dr. K, I know you've visited my petblog, Scratchings and Sniffings, and I have a link to you there... I think it fits your criteria since we have Dr. Larry who posts on pet health and behavior on a regular basis. In addition, Dr. Larry is in charge of the new PurinaCare Pet Health Insurance blog, which supports the new insurance product from Purina, at www.purinacareblog.com Thanks! Yvonne DiVita
Yvonne DiVita December 8th, 2008 01:25:20 PM
I really enjoy this student's blog. She's an American studying in Dublin (a third year I think). Lots of cases (problem based learning), really interesting.
www.survivingvetschool.blogspot.com
Nicole December 8th, 2008 02:03:58 PM
There's a new blog at veterinarymusings.blogspot.com. There's only a couple of entries, but they're pretty funny!
Darlene December 9th, 2008 11:31:06 PM
OMYGOD! Thanks so much for the mention, you're the bomb! Your blog is awesome! Funny, I remember the day that first video came on MTV, I was on the old brown couch in the "playroom" (now guest bedroom) of our house watching that old analog TV with the dial channel changer. That song signaled the beginning of an era that apparently ended with "The Real World". I miss videos on MTV. Happy Holidays to All :)
Vivian Carroll, DVM December 10th, 2008 02:05:37 PM
I'm a relatively new veterinary blogger - I'm based in Ireland - 50% in companion animal practice, 50% working in the media - I do weekly television and radio, as well as writing articles for UK and Irish newspapers.... and I feed it all through my blog - which means that there's a new entry virtually every day. It is hard to keep up, and I find your blog very inspiring. It does seem strange that there aren't more active veterinary bloggers out there, and I suspect it's just that they're all busy, and the rewards from running a blog are intangible...
My own blog is at www.petethevet.com
with best wishes for 2009
Pete Wedderburn, Dublin, Ireland
Pete Wedderburn December 31st, 2008 02:59:47 AM
Oh - should have made it clickable - www.petethevet.com
Pete Wedderburn December 31st, 2008 03:02:06 AM
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