Resources

Click on links below to assist you with your questions!

Veterinary Partner  VeterinaryPartner.com is here to support your veterinarian and you in the care of your companion animals by providing reliable, up-to-date animal health information from the veterinarians and experts of the Veterinary Information Network (VIN), the world's first and largest online veterinary database and community.

Cornell Feline Health Center  We know that finding reliable information on the web can be difficult at times.  The Feline Health Center offers a variety of articles, brochures, and videos online for cat owners and enthusiasts alike.  You will find links to articles and brochures that help answer frequently asked questions as well as links to videos that demonstrate how to groom, medicate, and care for your cat. 

Feline Diabetes  Take a deep breath and relax; we're here to help you. Cat diabetes is a treatable, manageable condition. You can maintain your sanity and your cat's health, all on a reasonable budget. Medical doctors and veterinarians and many diabetic cat caretakers contribute to this site with knowledge you can trust.  The American Association of Feline Practitioners has just added a helpful website:  catvets.com/diabetes-toolkit.
                                                     

Pet Loss Support  Our services are free and available to anyone bereaving for a beloved pet. We pride ourselves in incorporating the collective wisdom and experience of all our friends and members. And we make that freely available to anyone who can use it, during deep bereavement for a beloved pet.

Should you trust pet healthcare Web sites?

Who runs the Web site? 
Any Web site should indicate clearly and often who 
is responsible for the site and its information. The 
American Animal Hospital Association’s consumer 
Web site (www.healthypet.com), for example, clearly 
notes its affiliation on every major page and includes 
a link to the AAHA home page.
Who funds the Web site? 
It costs money to run a Web site. The source of 
funding should be clearly stated or readily apparent. 
For instance, Web addresses ending in “gov” are 
sponsored by the federal government; “edu” indicates educational institutions; “org” is often used by 
noncommercial groups; and “com” denotes commercial enterprises. The source of funding can affect what 
content is presented, how it’s presented, and what the 
site owners want to accomplish.
What is the purpose of the Web site? 
Many sites include an “About this site” or “About us” 
link, which should clearly state the purpose and help 
you evaluate the trustworthiness of the information.
What is the original
source of information? 
Many health and medical Web sites post information collected from other Web sites or sources. If the 
person or organization in charge of the site did not 
write the material, the original source should 
be clearly identified.
How is the information documented? 
In addition to identifying the original source of the 
material, the site should identify the evidence on 
which the material is based. Medical facts and figures 
should include references such as citations of articles 
in medical journals. Also, opinions or advice should 
be clearly set apart from evidence-based information 
(information based on research results).
How is information 
reviewed before it’s posted? 
Health-related Web sites should provide information about the medical credentials of the people 
who prepare or review the material. Veterinarians in 
the United States are doctors of veterinary medicine 
(DVMs) or veterinary medicine doctors (VMDs)—the 
equivalent of an MD in human medicine. Common 
specialist credentials include DACVIM (internal medicine), DACVS (surgery), and DACVD (dermatology).
How current is the information? 
Web sites should be reviewed and updated regularly. It’s particularly important that
medical information be current and that the most recent update or 
review date be posted. Even if the information hasn’t 
changed, it’s helpful to know that the site owners have 
reviewed it recently to ensure that it’s still valid.
How does the Web site choose links? 
Reliable Web sites usually have a policy about how 
they link to other sites. Some medical sites take a 
conservative approach and don’t link at all. Some link 
to any site that asks or pays for a link. Others link only 
to sites that have met certain criteria.
How does the Web site 
manage interactions with users?
There should be a way for you to contact the site 
owners with problems, feedback, and questions. If 
the site hosts a chat room or other online discussion 
areas, it should tell you about the terms of using the 
service. Is the service moderated? If so, by whom and 
why? Before you participate, spend some time reading the discussion without joining in.
How can you verify the accuracy of 
information you receive via e-mail? 
Any e-mail messages should be carefully evaluated. 
Consider the origin of the message and its purpose. 
Some companies or organizations use e-mail to 
advertise products or attract people to their Web 
sites. The accuracy of health-related information may 
be influenced by the desire to promote a product or 
service. It’s important to carefully consider the source 
of e-mail and other Internet-based information and to 
discuss the information with your veterinarian.