"This is common." A middle of the night vent.

[janedoe]

We get this all of the time. From the conventional vet, the substitute vet, the emergency vet. "This is common." What does it mean?

Your dog has a softball sized infected cyst on her back with massive amounts of cottage cheese-like crud flying out of it. "This is common. I see this all the time." Really?! You see that all of the time? You should start dispensing tranquilizers to your clients. Because we don't see that all of the time.

Your dog has an enormous lipoma hanging off of his abdomen. "This is common." Good to know that an extra boob is all right.

There is a growth on your dog's anus. "This is common." If something like that was on my anus, I'd be pretty much losing my mind.

What does "common" mean? We don't do anything? It's "normal"? Is my dog dying? Is it just a day to day thing for a vet? What the heck are you talking about?

Honestly. This must be something that vets just say to fill in the dead space. Common. Seriously. And what a weird word. No one even knows what that means.

[Snowshoe]

Next time one of them says that word to me I hope I have the presence of mind to ask, "How many times have you seen this?" Every time I have heard it though, I've been too stressed to barely think.

[smartrock]

I think it's probably something vets say to keep the owners from decompensating right there in front of them while inwardly they're thinking, "What the heck is this thing?" At least the vet I schedule with for unusual stuff is old enough that he's probably seen just about everything there is to see, and if he hasn't, he's up front enough to just say, "I'm not sure what this is but here's what I think we should try." I'd rather they be honest but present a logical plan than to try to fake it.

[CraftHer]

This isn't just a vet thing. The first kidney stone I had, I didn't know what it was and thought I was dying. When I went to the urology for a follow up he used words like "common" and "minor". Well, it wasn't common or minor to me! I actually had to stand between him and the door to get my questions answered. For those of you who have had kidney stones, there is nothing common or minor about the pain! He told me there was another one in the other kidney and "not to worry". Yeah, right!

On the opposite side of things, I took Mocha to the vet for something when he was a puppy and he said it was not a problem. But I told our vet I've never seen this and I'm worried. He took the time to explain what it was and calm my fears. I don't even remember now what it was, but I remember he took the extra minutes with me.

[Annette47]

I can’t speak for other vets, but when mine says it they are usually trying to reassure us that they know what it is and what to do about it. As opposed to the occasions when they aren’t sure what they are dealing with, such as Chloe’s recent spay.

[POPTOP]

I'm with you CraftHer - a kidney stone - not to worry. Ah, NO! Tell me that when the pain is such that I'm vomiting and I'll turn around and deposit on your shoes. Is that common?

I'd prefer to have a vet tell me what is going on and then tell me that it has been seen and treated in other dogs.

I freaked out when I was told Archie had anal fistulas. Visions of horrible surgeries flashed in my mind. Then the vet laid out a treatment plan step by step. OK, we can manage this and do what has to be done.

[Maxx&Emma]

I hate this response from a vet or doctor! What may be "common" for them is not for ME and I have no problem telling them that when they say it. I think being upfront with any vet or doctor in advance, letting them know that answer does not work with you helps. It can be hard to think when you are already afraid/worried about what is going on.

As for a kidney stone and the pain being common, god help the doctor that said that to me. I would prefer childbirth to the pain of a kidney stone!

[K10]

I don't get what's adverse about the phrase. Common only means that it happens often. Of course kidney stones are a common condition. It doesn't mean normal, it doesn't mean they aren't painful. I get kidney stones often, and wouldn't be surprised if I were told they were common. I sure know they aren't rare. Common has nothing to do with the severity of a condition, only the frequency.

[janedoe]

I don't get what's adverse about the phrase. Common only means that it happens often. Of course kidney stones are a common condition. It doesn't mean normal, it doesn't mean they aren't painful. I get kidney stones often, and wouldn't be surprised if I were told they were common. I sure know they aren't rare. Common has nothing to do with the severity of a condition, only the frequency.

I just don't know what information this is supposed to convey. Everything is all right? The vet/doc can take care of it? I don't get it. Fran may have a malignant tumor on her anus. What does it mean that this is "common"? Say something meaningful, that's all. I don't care that the vet has seen it before. I don't need a narrative about their professional experience. I want to know what they're going to do about it.

It's just insensitive.