THE problem these days, with social media instantly at our fingertips, is we are able to immediately voice an opinion without applying any real thought whatsoever to the matter in hand.

I don't spend all day on Facebook but it seems to me that, whenever I read a thread of comments about any particular subject, some of the most vociferous responses are made by individuals who have clearly not even bothered to properly read the original post.

Pretty soon, the whole story morphs into something it never was in the first place. This can have devastating effects on the people involved.

Some time ago, a video was placed online of a client standing outside our surgery who innocently pushed his very vigorous dog’s bottom to encourage him to sit.

Pretty soon, the whole thing got totally out of hand with escalating comments about his ‘cruelty’. Eventually, people were posting that he had kicked and punched the dog. By 3am, he was receiving death threats and the police were called. It was madness.

This tendency to comment confidently on topics that are way out of our experience and in which we have no expertise whatsoever has spilled over into normal life.

Take blind dogs, for example. We have a number of patients who have a very happy existence but who are devoid of sight.

In one or two, so as to spare them from extreme pain, both eyes have been surgically removed.

As you might expect, since we are veterinary surgeons and always have our patient’s best interests at heart, these procedures were not carried out without first applying considerable thought.

The patient's general demeanour, character and physical abilities were taken into account. Their environment and whether it could be made safe for them was carefully considered.

The area in which they were to be exercised was assessed for danger and the presence of other dogs who might be a help or a hindrance. And, of course, heartfelt discussions with the owner took place, so that they understood the commitment they were about to make.

And I always tell them about a spaniel I know, who is totally blind, but can hunt an area she knows well, with just her owner’s whistle for guidance.

The choice at the time is always the same. And stark. Euthanasia or enucleation. Removing both eyes is not for everyone or every patient but I have witnessed myself a blind Jack Russell who can tear round his garden at top speed, avoiding fences and other items of garden furniture that, granted, can never be moved.

Watching him run is at first heart-stopping but pretty soon thoroughly heart-warming. His quality of life is great and he is happy as Larry. When plonked on the consulting room his tail goes like the clappers. His owners live with his disability extremely well.

What is hard for them, however, is the steady, incessant trail of negative comments about their circumstance from ‘dog lovers’ who may mean well but who have not earned the right to voice an opinion.

Sensible people need to rebel against this.