The internet can be a very valuable resource when trying to find information regarding pets. However, because anyone can post anything he or she wants, not all websites contain accurate information. Books and journals, on the other hand, have frequently been peer-reviewed and edited by scholars and publishers to assure that each article is credible and based on fact.
On the World Wide Web, there is no similar filter. When researching, it is important to develop skills that will help determine which websites contain reliable content.
Consider the following:
• Is an author listed? What are his/her credentials on the subject?
• Is there contact information available for the author or site creator?
• Is a publisher noted? A publisher would have screened and verified the content.
• Look for signs that the site is academic or scholarly, such as organization name and logo, headers/footers, or a watermark.
• What is the point of view used throughout the site? If it seems opinionated or argumentative, it may not be factual.
• Does a “last updated” date show that the content is current?
Care must also be taken when ordering products from internet sites such as online pharmacies. Some claim to provide information about pet prescriptions and deliver pet medications at a lower cost than veterinarians, and even go so far as to say that you can ‘avoid a trip to the veterinarians’ office’. The facts are that a veterinarian can’t legally or ethically prescribe medication for a pet he or she hasn’t seen recently for the specific condition, or alternately, is not familiar with the care and keeping of the pet. Online prices might be lower because they are very close to expiration date or are coming off the gray market. Or, in some cases, they’re actually no lower. Most medications need to be in a temperature-controlled environment and there is no proof that the online pharmacy is following these regulations, especially since temperature can vary as products are shipped through the mail. Also, because most animal health care companies do not sell to online pharmacies, they will not guarantee medications purchased thru those pharmacies. At least one prominent online pharmacy will not disclose where their products come from, meaning that they could be made to the regulations of a country other than the United States or could be coming from the gray market. As you can imagine, it is easy to get false information from sites like this.
There are a number of credible sites available to pet owners that provide helpful information on a variety of topics. American Animal Hospital Association (www.healthypet.com), American Veterinary Medical Association (www.avma.org), Iowa Veterinary Medical Association (www.iowavma.org), Pfizer Animal Health (www.pfizerah.com), Merck (www.merckvetmanual.com), and Bayer Health Care (www.petparents.com) are just a few animal health companies and organizations that have pet care libraries available. Veterinary Hospitals may also have websites that provide useful information as well as features that help make your pet’s health care more convenient, such as online scheduling and links to current issues. Our website, www.TaylorVet.com, provides our clients with a variety of current pet health topics, links to other useful sources, online scheduling, prescription refill requests, behavior forum, links to past “Pet Talk” articles and many other great features. Google your veterinarian today!
Sam Dugan, Accounting Intern - written in 2008
On the World Wide Web, there is no similar filter. When researching, it is important to develop skills that will help determine which websites contain reliable content.
Consider the following:
• Is an author listed? What are his/her credentials on the subject?
• Is there contact information available for the author or site creator?
• Is a publisher noted? A publisher would have screened and verified the content.
• Look for signs that the site is academic or scholarly, such as organization name and logo, headers/footers, or a watermark.
• What is the point of view used throughout the site? If it seems opinionated or argumentative, it may not be factual.
• Does a “last updated” date show that the content is current?
Care must also be taken when ordering products from internet sites such as online pharmacies. Some claim to provide information about pet prescriptions and deliver pet medications at a lower cost than veterinarians, and even go so far as to say that you can ‘avoid a trip to the veterinarians’ office’. The facts are that a veterinarian can’t legally or ethically prescribe medication for a pet he or she hasn’t seen recently for the specific condition, or alternately, is not familiar with the care and keeping of the pet. Online prices might be lower because they are very close to expiration date or are coming off the gray market. Or, in some cases, they’re actually no lower. Most medications need to be in a temperature-controlled environment and there is no proof that the online pharmacy is following these regulations, especially since temperature can vary as products are shipped through the mail. Also, because most animal health care companies do not sell to online pharmacies, they will not guarantee medications purchased thru those pharmacies. At least one prominent online pharmacy will not disclose where their products come from, meaning that they could be made to the regulations of a country other than the United States or could be coming from the gray market. As you can imagine, it is easy to get false information from sites like this.
There are a number of credible sites available to pet owners that provide helpful information on a variety of topics. American Animal Hospital Association (www.healthypet.com), American Veterinary Medical Association (www.avma.org), Iowa Veterinary Medical Association (www.iowavma.org), Pfizer Animal Health (www.pfizerah.com), Merck (www.merckvetmanual.com), and Bayer Health Care (www.petparents.com) are just a few animal health companies and organizations that have pet care libraries available. Veterinary Hospitals may also have websites that provide useful information as well as features that help make your pet’s health care more convenient, such as online scheduling and links to current issues. Our website, www.TaylorVet.com, provides our clients with a variety of current pet health topics, links to other useful sources, online scheduling, prescription refill requests, behavior forum, links to past “Pet Talk” articles and many other great features. Google your veterinarian today!
Sam Dugan, Accounting Intern - written in 2008
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