Misinformation abounds on the Internet
A professional in any field is not infallible — including, of course, veterinarians. Yet with seven to 10 years (or more!) of postsecondary education necessary to complete a veterinary degree, one would hope that consumers realize their local vet is a more reliable source of information than an Internet search engine. Sadly, the experiences of both myself and many others show that this is often not the case.
Over this past reading week break, I logged onto Facebook to check out one of my favourite pages: “Saint Bernards are Freakin’ Awesome!” (Yes, it’s a real page. And yes, I am in love with the breed. No, I do not have any whisky in the decorative barrel of my beloved Norm). To my horror, the very first post I saw sought advice on the best medications to sedate a dog, whose nails were apparently difficult to treat. Even more horrifying was the fact that many unqualified individuals made it their prerogative to respond.The plentiful answers ranged from moderately acceptable to appalling. Common remedies (that should still always be confirmed with a vet before administration) were shared, along with suggestions of human sleep supplements and even marijuana. Some folks took it upon themselves to provide advice that included dosing and mixing medications — recommendations that should never be given by strangers over the Internet.
[media-credit name=”Photo by Carleigh Cathcart” align=”aligncenter” width=”1020″]
As a first year veterinary student, I knew I was not in a position to rightfully dole out medical advice to this person, however well-intentioned their questions may have been. So how on Earth do folks with no veterinary background other than ownership of a certain animal feel they are qualified to do so? The spreading of misinformation on the Internet is not an uncommon occurrence. And, in the context of medical or veterinary advice, it can be especially dangerous and even downright deadly.When time (and money) is tight, it’s understandable that owners might be hesitant to go to the vet if they feel that it’s unnecessary. In fact, 15 per cent of owners report using the Internet and 39 per cent report attempting to treat their pet on their own before visiting their vet. And yet veterinarians are a rich source of reliable information, advice, and compassion. Your pet is not simply a stranger’s dog to us, but rather a patient whose history and medical state are thoroughly understood, so that you go home with the safest and most effective recommendations.
The temptation to befriend Dr. Google is real. But in a time when Facebook friends share satirical articles thinking that they are real news, and when you can date someone who does not exist for several years online, one can only hope that owners have enough love and respect to give their animals the care they deserve.
Photo by Carleigh Cathcart