The Internet is a wonderful and handy tool in today’s day and age that serves many purposes. That being said, it can also be quite dangerous, especially when it comes to diagnosing medical conditions for both yourself and your pets.
If you are concerned that your pet is ill or has sustained an injury, it is imperative that you contact your local vet right away and make an appointment. Simply typing in your pet’s symptoms to Google can lead to misdiagnosis and anxiety on your part, which won’t do either of you any good. Even if you think you are overreacting about something regarding your pet, call your vet. Using the Internet to figure out what is wrong with your pup or kitty is a huge problem that could result in you further leaving your pet in pain or discomfort.
The Internet is a vast landscape where anyone who has access to a computer or smartphone can upload information, leading to possible information overload for the worried pet owner to find. There are absolutely no limits to what you can find online, which creates a lot of problems when it comes to health conditions for both animals and humans. Veterinary clinics are here for a reason, so use them!
The Main Problem with Using the Internet to Diagnose Your Pet
Even though a symptom may seem straightforward enough, the cause of that specific symptom may not be as obvious to the naked eye.
Let’s say, for example, you discover that your pet dog’s skin is red and itchy. You type the symptoms into Google and it tells you they have likely sustained a bug bite and you just need to make sure they leave it alone so it doesn’t become further irritated. While this certainly could be the case, there are many other underlying causes that could lead to red, itchy skin. Your pup could have fleas, mites, an allergy, or even a psychological condition that’s affecting them. If you would have instead taken your dog to the vet to have him or her checked out, your vet would’ve been able to run tests and look over your pet with an experienced and trained eye. This is just one example of the problem with online self-diagnosis, but you get the picture.
By using the Internet to diagnose your pet, you could easily end up treating the wrong malady, and what is actually wrong with your pet could get worse and cause irreversible harm or damage.
Why You Should Rely on Your Vet – Always
As mentioned, veterinarians are trained professionals who have gone to school to be able to treat animals of all different shapes and sizes for a whole host of conditions and ailments. Vets are there for a reason and should be relied upon whenever you fear something is amiss with Fluffy, or when you simply want to have your pet looked at for a general checkup. There is no such thing as a stupid question when it comes to your pet’s health, and your vet will certainly never turn you away for calling about something you are concerned with.
In order to provide your pet with the highest quality of care and attention, establish a good relationship with your vet and get to know them. To learn more about our vet services, please give our office a call today!
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