Responsible Surfing on Dr. Google
I recently blogged about second opinions and mentioned consulting with Dr. Google. Fess up, we all do it… much to the chagrin of our doctors, (MD’s and DVM’s).
So, how can you surf responsibly when using Dr. Google (cause I know you’re gonna do it)? Here are my suggestions for doing online research that is productive for you, your pet, and your vet:
Rely on the information provided by veterinary college websites. Plug in the symptom or name of the disease, followed by, “veterinary college.” For example, if you want to learn more about lymphoma (a type of cancer in dogs and cats), Google “lymphoma veterinary college.” On the first search page, you’ll find information from seven veterinary colleges, including Cornell, my alma mater.
Ask your veterinarian for his or her website recommendations.
If your dog has a breed-specific disease, visit the website hosted by the breed’s national organization. For example, The Golden Retriever Club of America website provides in-depth health and genetics information about diseases common in this breed.
Join an online forum. Not only do many of them provide a wealth of educational information, other participants can be a wonderful source of emotional support. Look for a group that focuses on a specific disease (kidney failure, diabetes, etc). For example, if your dog has Addison’s disease, I would refer you to Canine Addison’s Resources & Education (CARE), a long-standing Facebook forum with many members and moderators who screen every post.
Avoid business-sponsored websites that stand to make money when you believe and act on what they profess.
Be ever so wary of anecdotal information. It’s perfectly okay to indulge in remarkable tales (Rocky Rockendorp swears on a bible that playing Metallica music made his dog’s diarrhea go away). But please view what you’re reading as entertainment rather than fact.
Keep in mind that most symptoms such as coughing, vomiting, diarrhea, etc., have multiple causes. When you research them online, you may think you’re comparing apples to apples when, in reality, you may be comparing lemons to watermelons.
Even the most patient of veterinarians don’t want to use up valuable office visit time dissuading their clients from ridiculous notions obtained online. You can avoid this by surfing responsibly!
What have your experiences with Dr. Google been like?
Best wishes to you and your four-legged family members for abundant good health,
Dr. Nancy