Certainly, it’s really convenient! Free. Always available. Easy to access. And consistent. We’ve all been using it (Google) for decades now.
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But before you go taking the advice of Dr. Google as the “be all and end all,” (you know, gospel; correct; accurate; reliable) consider where the information on Dr. Google came from. All the information on Dr. Google came from people writing and posting information. Some of it from people like me. (This is NOT necessarily a great thing!)
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You see, I used to write articles with the intention of getting people to come into the vet’s office (my office).. back when I did only western medicine and knew nothing about natural medicine. So the purpose of these articles wasn’t just to educate, it was to scare the reader enough to get the reader to come in… so I can make money. That’s the honest truth. No veterinarian makes money if the pet does not come into the office.
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So now that I am living on the other side of the system, I’m frankly a little bit embarrassed. A lot embarrassed, actually.
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Today, I have clients who reach out to me and ask me questions. OF COURSE they went to Dr. Google first. That’s our habit. So, it’s no wonder that while the google search is still fresh on their screens, they call me in a panic. Because that’s the unspoken purpose of Dr Google.
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Some of the “doctor’s” advice, though, just doesn’t make sense. For instance, I have a beautiful client with a beautiful puppy. It’s a large breed dog with a lot of loose skin. So when the dog is sleeping, its eyes are sagging, and Dr. Google said that this is a medical emergency and that the pet owner should go to the emergency room right freaking now.
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Really?
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Of course, I’m not surprised. Being totally inflammatory FIRST rather than present the most common cause first IS Dr. Google’s way. This google search presented the LEAST common (and most scary) cause of droopy eyes. How about it’s just large breed dog and its skin sags? Well, THAT answer wouldn’t have resulted in an expensive ER visit. So it was left out.
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This doesn’t mean the pup DIDN’T have something going on. My client is a member of my $25 / month “vet in your pocket” membership. So, she texted. She sent pics. And it turns out, the pup DID have something going on: a virus… like a headache and eye ache. So, after lots of fluids and rest, our girl was back to normal.
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I have a beautiful client base. Wonderful loving people who really want to learn how to use natural medicine to help their pets.
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But the problem with our society these days is our ability to think has been taken away. We’ve been told we don’t know anything, that we have to go to the doctor for everything. So when somebody notices a change, like this dogs mom- now her dog’s eyes are drooping – she goes to Dr. Google. And Dr. Google says oh*#!&
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#YourDog’sGonnaDie
#GotoEmergencyroomrightnow
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Well, who wrote that article?
I’m guessing the emergency room!
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Well mom was right. There was a change. There was reason to pay attention. But the ER? Not necessary.
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Puppy has a virus. Eyes are a bit sore. Fluids and rest, right?
Meanwhile, the ER is going to send lots of unnecessary meds (it’s called medicating the client – not the pet.)
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So when do you need to go to the ER? (Because of course there are times when it’s appropriate!) Certainly if the puppy is feeling worse, not eating, getting dehydrated, go get fluids at least.
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What do you look for at home?
That she’s getting better everyday.
It’s the same way you take care of your kids: if they are slowly getting better, they are on the mend. Perfect.
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Still seeing patients in Clearwater, Tampa, and virtually.