QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR CAT'S ILLNESSES

You sometimes have questions or concerns about your cat and symptoms they may be exhibiting. So of course, the first thing you think of is asking your friends on Facebook what they think you should do, right?

Did you know that the three most dreaded words vets and their assistants hear from cat parents are, "I Googled it"? It's true. During my career as a veterinary assistant, I often heard, "I Googled it" or "My friend on Facebook said her cat had the same thing", and every single time, I cringed. 

It was all I could do sometimes to keep myself from asking where that friend got her degree in veterinary medicine. That would have been rude, and also very unprofessional.

If your cat is behaving in an unusual way, acts sick, is limping, vomiting, pulling out their hair, scratching a spot until it is sore or even bleeding, please don't make your first move to Google the symptom. Just like with people, a symptom can mean something different with every individual. Googling often only delays you seeking help or throwing you into such a panic, that you're sure death is imminent.

I appreciate the fact that you trust your cat-loving friends, and you believe that they wouldn't deliberately steer you wrong, but the truth is, if they are not veterinary professionals, and if they have a tendency toward the dramatic, you may be getting advice that will make your feline friend's problem worse, or at the very least, delay you seeking help for Snowball, Mittens, or Fluffy.

It is crucial if your kitty is ill, or is exhibiting unusual behaviors or symptoms, that your first call should be to the veterinarian of your choice. Only a trained professional can accurately diagnose the problem, offer suggestions or medical care, and tell you the unvarnished truth about what is going on with your pet.

My point is: presumably you pay your vet for vaccines, spays/neuters, and flea treatments, which indicates to me that you value their education and experience and that you trust their judgment; shouldn't you show them that same trust if your cat is in trouble medically or behaviorally? Of course you should. That's what they're there for, and what they are trained to provide. Please make that your first call or stop to help your kitty.