The Google Complex

There are four words that people utter in this new modern day and age that no one in any medical community ever wants to hear.

"But the internet says..."

Honest Abe wouldn't lie to you though.

I cannot even count the number of times I've heard this phrase during my time in animal medicine, and every single time, even when it isn't directed at me, I have the same amount of intense hatred for those words.

The main problem is convenience. It's so easy to go to Google and have it tell you what the symptoms of a headache and fever might mean.

Hint: It's cancer.

On the other side, it's just as easy for the internet to make up totally fraudulent claims based on family anecdotes, something their idiot friend said or worse, nothing at all.

In my time in animal medicine I've heard them all:

• Feeding my pet garlic will kill fleas.
• Giving them apple vinegar will cure urinary crystals.
• Pain meds aren't necessary because animals don't feel pain like humans do.
• A broken leg can be "walked off"
• These vitamins and supplements will work better than antibiotics.
• Sour cream is an acceptable substitute for milk for nursing kittens.
• Cats have to give birth once before they are spayed.
• The internet told me only to give this much medication.

And my favorite: My cat is going to kill my unborn baby.

Here's the problem with the internet- any idiot can write anything about anything and make it public. They don't have to cite credible sources, they don't hold any blame if something they write is incorrect, and people lie. Often. On purpose.

Don't look at me like that.

The worst part is, we're all guilty of this. Doctors, assistants, techs, nurses, we've all turned to the internet at one point to tell us the answer. The main difference is (usually) professionals have the education and training to know when something might be valuable information and when it's total bullshit. And when there is a more knowledgeable colleague available, we will turn to them first.

So before you head in with your pet or yourself and seek medical advice, please remember that the people giving you advice have had years of experience in their field, and that person on the internet is probably your neighbor's teenage son.

My cat is bleeding profusely, I should wait and see right?