Vetcetera Happy New Year! So what do YOU want from Dolittler this year?

Welcome to the first Dolittler post of 2009! Along with all the other resolutions I hope to keep, Dolittler improvement is on the list. But it’s not the pesky paragraph breaks and registration issues (though I promise I’ll get to those, too), it’s a bigger picture improvement you’ll get via its content.

As they say in the blogosphere, “content is king.” In other words, making Dolittler better is best achieved not through user convenience measures and technical fixes, but through a more interesting, wider variety of content offerings.

To that end I’ve got three major categories of Dolittler enhancement measures planned:

1-Video: Not everyone has a thing for reading. Though all you Dolittler regulars are less likely to be drawn to video and audio than to the almighty written word, the same cannot be said for the vast majority of the human universe (reference the huge popularity of YouTube and iTunes).

A PetCam (hopefully, courtesy of Panasonic) and a high-end video camcorder (thanks to my boyfriend’s generosity) will make these possible. Previous videos lacked so shockingly for quality it was amazing anyone downloaded them. Not so for the next generation of Dolittler video offerings with these tools in tow.

2-Audio: I know, I know. I’ve been promising podcasts for over a year. And while I have all the software and hardware at the ready, I’ve had a hard time finding my voice, as it were. Quality is crucial so I’ve been reticent to expose you to weekly podcasts lest their content suffer compared to my trusty keyboard’s product. Truth be told, I’m just a lazy, cowardly thing. I resolve to remedy this.

3-Positivity: I know you already enjoy the welfare conflicts the ethical dilemmas and the daily stress diatribes, but sometimes the tone of these posts gives me the impression that my life as a veterinarian is an endless tale of suffering and woe. Not so.

If my goal is to bring you the real world of veterinary medicine in a blog format (as it has been since day one over three years ago), then it’s about time I gave you the sweet stuff, too. Some of this can be remedied with success stories wrapped into Vet School 101 posts. And there are plenty of those to go around, despite the sad stories you’re so often treated to.

Historically, I keep more than half of my New Years resolutions. And this year, that means you’ll be getting more from Dolittler...no matter what. But I can’t do it right...not without knowing what YOU really want. From blog post topic suggestions to big-picture wants, give it up here…

January 1st, 2009

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Happy New Year! Hoping it will be a good one for all!

The technicals have been mentioned...hard to follow a thread without email updates.

Enjoy the guest bloggers, and hope to have more interspersed!

Yes, indeed, good & happy successful outcomes, particularly complete with pictures!

And maybe a few detailed case studies: "what is your diagnosis?"

Barbara Albright, NH USPS 22yr. employee

Pocket's Story from NH January 1st, 2009 06:21:13 PM

Happy New Year! I was turned onto your blog earlier this year and now I subscribe. I don't always get to read every post but I have shared many poignant stories with others and I thank you for the work you do! I love to read, video would be great too and I would like to say I think the podcasts are a great idea! I am all about multi-tasking and what a better way to do that then listen to your "posts" or "sessions" via podcast? I love the idea. That or simple audio would work for me.

Many thanks again for the hard work you do. Keep your insight coming and don't worry about venting - I don't think you are always negative and I think it's good for everyone to hear the "complaints" for your (a vets) perspective because, lets face it, we are a pretty ego-centric society and even many of your posts have illustrated - many people are very self-centered. We need to get the other side of the story, hopefully it will help us behave better the next time we see our vet.

Here's to a Happy and healthy New Year!

Cheers!

Laura

Laura Sherman January 1st, 2009 06:44:02 PM

love your blog. What I want for the new year is for all your archives be available!!!! Sometime you reference an older post, and when I go there, it says unavailable. I've tried from 3 computers. Other than that--Happy New Year to you and all the folks who read you nevery day and post such interesing comments.

barbara m January 1st, 2009 08:53:37 PM

We don't say it often enough Dr. Patty - but thank you for this blog! It's been a really informative, entertaining and thought-provoking medium.

Writing a daily blog is really time consuming and I don't know how you do it - what with working a very demanding (if rewarding) job and being a single mom.

But we do appreciate it! Thank you again, and I hope that 2009 brings you everything you wish for!

Barb January 1st, 2009 09:09:32 PM

I would like to see the blog's html adjust to the size of the screen on which it is being read (one of the basic features of well-written html). I have enjoyed dolittelr for quite awhile now, but I really dislike having to scroll right and left to read the blog, and I'm tending towards reading fewer articles as a result. Please fix it!

Linda H January 1st, 2009 09:41:48 PM

Dr. K:

Happy New Year! Thanks a million for being such a open-minded, modern veterinarian. The country needs veterinarians LIKE YOU! Keep up the good work. . .

Fotini January 1st, 2009 11:22:34 PM

Happy New Year to you and yours!

Love your blog and check it daily. I've learned a lot and love reading all the stories from the devoted readers.

Keep up the good work!!!

Shellie January 2nd, 2009 03:37:52 AM

Happy new year.

We want more veterinary surgery cases, and also the photos and videos.

We'll wait your update ;)

wahyu a

vetweb January 2nd, 2009 09:05:31 AM

Happy New Year, Dr K. I see your blog as a place where you frequently vent, in a tasteful and provoking manner. I do hope to read more about the reasons you are a veterinarian in the coming year. Balanced with your rants. They help me be a better pet owner and appreciate the great vet that looks after my crew. Keep up the good work!

eli January 2nd, 2009 09:18:16 AM

Happy New Year--and I like the idea od positivity, after all there are many things to be proud of in the world of companaion animals, owners and vets. Not, of course, overlooking those enduring "issues". p.s. I really appreciate the improved captcha images.

emily January 2nd, 2009 10:15:02 AM

I also am glad for the information and forum you provide. The podcast thing is the least important to me (if you can't get everything done :-) ), but more pictures would be good - that pyometra uterus was awesome! (Also love the new captcha.)

Have a great year!

KateH January 2nd, 2009 11:08:56 AM

I think your blog has a really good balance and you do a fantastic job. Case studies / work ups / treatments / outcomes are interesting for all. Cheers for all your great efforts !!

Circe January 2nd, 2009 01:59:15 PM

I'd like more about exotics and farm animals. I'm sure you had to do rotations with them in vet school, and you can bring in more guest experts too.

zandperl January 2nd, 2009 02:11:28 PM

Dear Dr. Khuly,

I have enjoyed reading your blog since I discovered it a few weeks ago. I enjoy your honesty and provocative questions.

There are a number of excellent medical and nursing blogs which I also follow. I find that the entries I enjoy most are the ones share stories of memorable patients (obviously a confidentiality issue; but if my vet asked me for permission to write about any of our animals, I wouldn't hesitate).

I also am intrigued with clinical photographs and diagnostic images. The medical blog "Odysseys of George" does this very well.

One of the most enjoyable aspects of your blog is that I feel I am able to step into your world for a few minutes. I appreciate how much time it takes to do this on a regular basis.

Wishing you a happy and healthy 2009!

Tanya January 2nd, 2009 02:13:18 PM

Happy New Year. Personally I like the text rather than a video or audio, it's faster to read than watch a video anyways. So call me old fashioned. lol Paragraph breaks would be nice for those of us that don't have or want firefox. Personally I like your rants and questions even if they can be sometimes controversial. Regardless, it's your site and you can do as you like no matter what any of us thinks. I'm sure it will continue to be a good site regardless.

cl January 3rd, 2009 01:55:16 AM

I read your blog from Australia every day - well, mostly! I like it as it is, actually. To the average pet-owner, a vet clinic or hospital is a frightening place. You give me information and an insight into the practice of this profession and make me feel more confident going to my own vet clinic.

Catherine McArdle January 4th, 2009 12:57:56 AM

Dr. K,

Since I just posted a feedback inducing post of my own, I figured I'd answer yours (and thus induce a payback response to mine! I love how this works)... plus, I appreciate the effort to improve through comments and feedback.

The best thing about your blog is that you're controversial and honest. Most professionals would run away from writing about their clients in a frank manner (even if names and some details are changed). So much of the business world runs on fake social graces and ego soothing lies. Your honesty about stupid things clients do or ethical dilemmas that you are faced with are such a refreshing read.

Your insightfulness has greatly improved my relationship with my vet, as I know better what their position is and I’m also a lot more confident in questioning their judgment and standing up for practices and charges that I don’t think are right for my dogs.

It’s not just about saving money, it’s about better stewardship and a more professional relationship with my vet. Especially when I get the other vet at the office who doesn’t have the same history with my dogs.

And I like your questioning of the powers that be. The professional boards, other vets. It’s my style to question authority and I feel you have the same bug. Ask “why” for questions that people just take for granted. A lot of times, you find out that none of the old thinking really applies any more or the facts have changed but the practice hasn’t.

Here are four quotes which I believe both of our blogs try and address:

"Tradition will accustom people to any atrocity." --George Bernard Shaw

"Habit and routine have an unbelievable power to waste and destroy."--Henri de Lubac

"As long as people believe in absurdities they will continue to commit atrocities."—Voltaire

"Often the less there is to justify a traditional custom, the harder it is to get rid of it."--Mark Twain

And that’s what I like about your blog. You question, you work toward an answer, and you invite debate.

Some people think I like to debate just to be contrarian, but I invite others to question and respond because if I lose the argument I gain a more solid position. If I win, I’m more confident that my position is sound. A mental trial by fire. It’s not just to be a troll, it’s putting uncertainties to the test. I see that you do the same all the time here. I don’t believe you just post to inform us little people, you really take the comments to heart and in that sense we serve as a sort of checksum, a group to bounce ideas off of. Communal wisdom.

So in the coming year, I’d like you to continue to invite us in to the moral dilemmas, the behind the scenes, and the bizarre cases.

Christopher January 5th, 2009 03:27:54 AM

Christopher, I love & agree with your comment & quotes.

Barb. A.

Pocket's Story from NH January 5th, 2009 01:09:15 PM

Thank you, Christopher. Your read of Dolittler is exactly what I'm hoping to achieve here. I work here not to be dogmatic and tiresomely pedantic, though I know sometimes it comes across that way. And I really do take everyone's comments to heart.

"...if I lose the argument I gain a more solid position. If I win, I’m more confident that my position is sound"

That's so true. Keep it coming.

Dr. Patty Khuly January 9th, 2009 10:12:20 AM

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