Have you ever tried to self diagnose or treat your pet's medical condition?
@beautyqueen26 (16030)
United States
November 27, 2007 4:27am CST
When we first got our new kitten, she had a strange smell in her ears. And, I had no idea what it could be. I did some research on the Internet and did a lot of guess work. For awhile, I was concerned that it was something very serious. But, after a little thought, I figured that it must be ear mites. So, we cleaned her ears and treated her for it. Now, she's alright.
Thankfully it wasn't anything more serious. Like the time she had an upset stomach and I thought she might be dying. All signs pointed in that directions. Turned out to be a milk allergy. So, much for self diagnosing a cat condition. Have you ever tried to self diagnose your cats medical problems? Did you end up taking them to the vets?
4 people like this
5 responses
@UnselfishShellfish (1306)
• United States
27 Nov 07
A smell from the ears could also be a yeast infection which requires a totally different medication to treat it.
Most cats are lactose intollerant. Just so you know.
With fevers, sniffles, coughs and runny noses, I know to use a broad spectrum antibiotic I can get from my vets office.
For tapeworms, I get a pill.
For roundworms and other similar worms, I use a liquid drop.
With cat ownership comes responsibility and knowledge. Just be careful when you self medicate. You could wind up severely hurting your cat when you do that. You could be treating one symptom and miss another. Your vet is there for a reason. He or she has the education.
@beautyqueen26 (16030)
• United States
29 Nov 07
No, I never self medicate. Ear mite medication is usually available over the counter. I think it used to be different though. Our kitten is just fine now. And, yes, most cats are lactose intollerant. All except one. Our big cat is not. He is truly the exception. I have no idea how he does it, without getting sick.
@cblackink (969)
• United States
29 Nov 07
Rarely have I self diagnosed my cat's condition, except when it was really obvious what the problem was. My older cat once got tapeworms because I got a terrible flea infestation in my apartment, so it was obvious what the problem was and I bought the pills to treat it. I personally don't recommend too much self diagnosis for pets. I've always had excellent vets (maybe I've been lucky). He also has recently begun throwing up more because of hairballs, because of his age. He never had the problem until a few months ago, but that's something that's also easily treatable. Giving cats milk or human food is always a bad idea. They can't tolerate milk and most of the food we eat has far too much salt in it for them.
@rogue13xmen13 (14403)
• United States
28 Nov 07
Yes, but I really had to go and get a second opinion. It turned out to be the complete opposite of what I thought it was. I thought that my cat had Cancer, turned out, it was just a hairball caught in her intestine.
@Calais (10893)
• Australia
27 Nov 07
I have done this plenty of times, but I have also been a vet assistant but that was many years ago, I have always worked with animals...My cats have never been to the vets, only for their shots and that also includes a thorough check up in case I have missed something, but luckily I hhave not as yet..
@eftychiap (349)
• Cyprus
28 Nov 07
Yes, I have some problems with my dog, and I try to treat it my self. My dog has a problem with its ear, and eye as well. so I buy some eye, and some ear drops, I clean the infected areas, and so she feels better. I took her to the vet many times, but some things you learn to do it on your own.
