WestView

Using the Web for Your Pet

February 2010

By Mark G. Burns, DVM

Veterinary Editor

In the last 12 to15 years, veterinarians have come to use and rely on several websites for medical searches, literature reviews, and interactive consults with their colleagues when confronted with challenging cases. These sites are often available by subscription, and only to for veterinarians. However, the internet has also become a great resource for our clients in understanding their pets’ medical problems. My goal in this article is to give you some useful ideas on how to critique an animal health oriented website. I will list a few sites that I think you will find helpful, reliable, and interesting.

Some of the factors that I look for in a useful website are:

Authority of Content: Where does the content come from? The best content is original, current, and produced by veterinarians whose names appear along with the content. Anyone with any credential, or no credentials, can start a website and post their opinion; in some cases it is hard to know just who is doing the talking. We have seen many clients attach to internet-origin information that has no basis in science or experience other than the experience and opinion of the person hosting the site.

Breadth of Content: There are many medical sites that address just one disease, or claim to be “medical information” sites, yet review only a handful of actual medical problems. I’ll give you a couple of good sites below (although information is much harder to come by on feline symptoms and diseases than on canine problems).

Presentation: The content needs to be laid out in an intuitive manner and in easily understood language. If you are looking for “Diseases,” “Symptoms,” or “Diseases by Breed,” then these headings should be readily apparent. Medical information should be organized logically, as a veterinarian might see it. If you have to give your email address (EMA) to get info, you will probably get a lot of promotional spam.

Interactivity: Several sites offer “Ask the Vet” sections; in fact, I write for one site and enjoy it immensely. Keep in mind that there is a limited amount of specific information that can be provided over the internet because 1) diseases vary considerably in different parts of the country and the vet may not be familiar with your area if he or she even knows where you live at all; 2) an interactive detailed history cannot be provided; 3) an actual examination of the patient (the most important step in forming a diagnosis) cannot be done; and 4) without the above, a specific diagnosis and treatment plan cannot be made. However, “Ask the Vet” features can often get you started in the right direction with your local vet. They also inform the site managers of visitors’ main concerns, helping them to develop pertinent new content.

Some Useful Medical Websites

doggedhealth.com (Disclosure: I respond to Ask the Vet Questions for this site. We are in the process of incorporating their “Diagnostic Dog” into our website. The site offers intuitive access to disease information by symptom for dogs. It was developed primarily by Dr. Dan Lauridia, who owns Murray Hill Animal Hospital, and Elizabeth Ross, the founder of the site.)
veterinarypartner.com/ Excellent Feline & Canine
helpmyhound.com/dog_diagnosis.php
helpmycat.com/cat_diagnosis.php
pets.webmd.com/dogs/symptoms/default.htm
petplace.com/cats/guide-to-cat-symptoms/page1.aspx (must give EMA)

Other Useful Sites

doggedhealth.com/diseases-a-symptoms.html?section=5&cat=38 Health by Breed-Canine
petmedsonline.org/common-cat-health-issues-by-breed.html Health by Breed-Feline
aphis.usda.gov/regulations/vs/iregs/animals/ Health Certificate Information for International Travel

If your cat or dog already has a specific diagnosis, you will be able to find a lot of information by simply searching the name of the disorder. Be sure to read several articles, and be critical by using the criteria outlined above.

Dr. Burns is the Founder of Downtown Veterinary Medical Hospitals PLLC (dvmhospitals.com). DVM Hospitals operates the West Village Veterinary Hospital that has recently relocated to 75 Eighth Ave. between 13 and 14 St. Dr. Burns is a Board-certified Specialist in Veterinary Internal Medicine.

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