There are two types of forum on VetSurgeon.org:

Expert Help Forums

The Expert Help Forums offer a way in which members can post a question which is sent to veterinary experts for their opinion.  

Any member can post a question in the Expert Help Forums, but only members who are registered as referral practitioners or representatives of industry can reply. Other experts who'd like to reply must email support@vetsurgeon.org to have their account approved.

There are a number of benefits to this format:

1. You can ask a question in the knowledge that answers will come from people who know what they're talking about!
2. Because the discussion is between someone looking for help, and someone who is normally representing a referral service, you can be assured of a polite, helpful reply.
3. You won't have to scroll through a sea of similar answers to a question from large numbers of people, as you would on Facebook.
4. Both you and the expert can claim time spent on your question towards CPD
5. When you get a helpful answer and press 'Thank Expert', the expert's logo and contact details are displayed as part of their answer
6. Your discussion thread is easy to find and refer back to, unlike on Facebook.
7. Your question and the answer is easy for others to find in the future, so it adds to a growing knowledgebase

There is only one rule in the VetSurgeon.org Expert Help Forums, which is that experts who choose to reply MUST display a reasonably complete VetSurgeon Profile. This is important so that readers can put your reply into context. It is also good marketing practice if you offer a referral service.

Discussion Forums

Any member can post a discussion thread and any member can reply. There is only one rule in the forum, which is to be extra polite to each other. Devoid of facial expression, the written word can appear stark and uncompromising. Compensate for this limitation by using additional words, phrases and 'smilies' to soften what you're saying. It's fine being concise, but be aware that it can sound terse.

Standard blurb also applies, scroll down for details.

Who can read my posts?

The registration process for VetSurgeon is designed to deter people from outside - or not closely associated with - the profession from joining the community and we do carry out spot checks. However, this system is not infallible and you should always presume that what you write in any forum (not just this one) might be read by anyone. You should keep it in mind and not post things which might get you into trouble, or bring the profession into disrepute.

Forum features: Posting anonyously

If you want to seek advice about a sensitive issue, you can log into the website anonymously using the details below. Because it is impossible for anyone to know who has logged into the site using these details, it can only be used for seeking advice about sensitive issues. Other posts will be deleted.

Username: anon@vetsurgeon.org
Password: vetsurge0n (that's a zero)

Remember to log back out again after you have made your anonymous post.