We became vets to help — not to be taken advantage of.
Every week, we get flooded with DMs, voice notes, blurry photos, and random messages that sound like urgent cries for help. But somewhere in the middle of all the “Doc, patanong lang…” and “Doc, mabilis lang to,” you start to see a pattern.
They’re not reaching out to get their pet better — they’re just looking for free veterinary advice without any intention of going to the clinic.
And worse — they’re putting their pets at risk because they want a shortcut.
Here are 10 signs you’re talking to someone who just wants your brain for free — but won’t show up when it really matters:
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1. “Doc, anong gamot pwede dito?”
No details. No photo. No exam. They want a quick fix for a complex problem. They want you to prescribe like a vending machine — minus the payment.
2. “Ayaw ko na siya mastress sa biyahe. Clinic makes her worse.”
Truth? It’s not about the pet. They don’t want to spend time or money. They want a solution from the couch — and they want you to feel guilty if you say no.
3. “Ikaw na lang mag-reseta. Sayang kung pupunta pa kami.”
They acknowledge your expertise… but not enough to pay for it. They want results without process. They want treatment without diagnostics. They want everything — except to do it right.
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4. They send a blurry photo and expect a diagnosis.
“Doc, bakit kaya may sugat siya?”
You squint, zoom in, adjust the brightness… and still have no clue what you’re looking at. But they want certainty — fast, free, and online.
5. “Doc, tanong lang daw ng kaibigan ko…”
They’re not even the owner. You’re now diagnosing a pet you’ve never seen, owned by someone you’ve never met, through a messenger middleman.
6. They ask generic questions — then disappear when you mention an exam.
“Doc, ano usually cause nito?”
You take time to explain. Then you say: “We need to check in person.”
Seen. No reply. Vanished.
7. They message you at midnight, but vanish by morning.
They panic at 11:58 p.m., dump all their concerns on you, and by 9 a.m. — the moment your clinic opens — they’re suddenly “busy.” No follow-up. Just ghosts in your inbox.
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8. They want the cheapest workaround — not the best care.
“Meron bang over-the-counter? Yung hindi na kailangan clinic?”
They’re not looking for health — they’re looking for the cheapest shortcut. And if it fails, guess who they’ll blame?
9. They want you to prescribe without diagnostics.
“Doc, kahit walang test, pwede na siguro painumin ng antibiotic?”
It’s risky. It’s illegal. But to them, it’s “convenient.” And if something goes wrong, it’s your license on the line.
10. This isn’t the first time.
They’ve done this before. And every time, it’s the same script:
“Ask. Avoid. Ignore. Repeat.”
They trust you enough to ask. But not enough to show up, pay up, or follow through.
The Truth We Need to Say Out Loud
You’re not just being “maarte” or “matapobre” when you ask them to come to the clinic.
You’re being a responsible veterinarian.
Because pets deserve more than a chat box.
Because your degree is not for free use.
Because medicine is not magic — and you are not Google.
So the next time someone DMs you for “help,” ask yourself:
Are they really trying to help their pet — or just helping themselves to you?
Sharing this helps others understand what it really means to be a vet. Like and follow if you’re with us.
Dr. Geoff Carullo is a Fellow and the current President of the Philippine College of Canine Practitioners.
