We’ve all done it. With the advent of the internet, it’s so easy to self-diagnose. How many times have you actually been right? More and more animal guardians are going online to seek help for their pets. What you may not realize is that there is a wrong way and a right way to use this information and that “Doctor Google” can give you bad advice.
The wrong way? Using the internet to look up a set of symptoms without the help of a health professional and becoming convinced that your pet is suffering from a specific disease. You’re usually wrong. Many illnesses have similar symptoms, meaning they are almost impossible to diagnose without tests. A misdiagnosis could delay potentially life-saving treatment.
The right way is to first get a diagnosis from us. Then, ask us for trustworthy, educational sites for you to review in order to supplement your knowledge about the diagnosis we’ve provided. There’s nothing wrong with being informed, and being an educated guardian makes you an effective advocate for your pet.
There are lots of veterinary blogs and other fun stuff to read out there, but nothing you read on the internet can tailor a plan that fits your pet’s needs better than we can. Don’t forget that we are your best resource in providing quality care to your pet.
