There is no substitute for advice from your veterinarian
• If you’re reading this, chances are, you love your pets—and you all KNOW that panicked feeling, when you think something might be wrong.
• We all want answers so fast, that we go online and use Dr. Google.
• American Animal Hospital Association and other veterinary sites receive many private messages through Facebook, etc. requesting medical advice.
• Their response is always: “Ask your veterinarian.” Why?
• It isn’t a cop out. Seeing your veterinarian is the best way to care for your pets.
• “Without examining a pet and carefully questioning an owner, the advice given over the Internet could be inaccurate and even life threatening.“
• It is not uncommon for a pet owner to make misdiagnoses and ask questions based on them.
• A “stinky” dog is not a diagnosis, yet many ask for a shampoo recommendation for said dog.
• Seizures can have many causes, but so many just want meds, without seeing their vet.
• Veterinary medical ethics require veterinarians to have a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship, which means that there must be a documented physical examination at least once every 12 months
• Until that relationship is established, veterinarians cannot respond to online questions about a pet.
https://www.aaha.org/pet_owner/lifestyle/why-theres-no-substitute-for-advice-from-your-own-veterinarian.aspx
Award-winning pet writer Jen Reeder is grateful AAHA has such high standards of care because she wants the very best for her beloved Lab mix, Rio.