Ok. We all know that searching the internet is never a really valid option for anyone seeking medical advice or information, either for themselves or their pets. We know that. Everyone knows that. That being said, almost all of us have been in that situation before, or something like it. If you are out there on the great big internet and there is someone else out there desperately seeking help on any topic, anything at all, then don’t be an ass.
If you don’t have something helpful or at least good wishes to offer then leave it alone. No one, I repeat NO ONE, no one ever needs you to be sanctimonious to them. They already know that they should be going to a doctor, or a vet, for themselves, their friend, their child, their pet. If they say they can’t afford to, or for any other reason can’t, then either help or don’t but don’t be an ass.
There are, unfortunately, a plentitude of sites out here that have prime examples of people being jerks. Don’t add to it. Don’t be the person that writes a mile long post on how if they can’t afford to take their pet to the vet, or child to the doctor, then they should quit smoking, or cut back on the soda they drink. Do not ever presume that you know enough about someone else's life to think that you have the easy answer that will fix their problems. If someone says that they can’t afford the vet or doctor then let’s assume for one second that they love their pet just as much as you do. Take it for granted that they are doing literally everything that they can to take care of it and do not proceed to tell them that maybe they should “get off of the internet and sell the computer to pay for the vet”. Instead, let’s assume that they’re using a 9-year-old piece of crap that they’ve had and taken so much care with for the entire 8 years that it wouldn’t be worth the gas to take it somewhere to sell it.
Imagine for one moment, that they have already gotten rid of everything that is worth value to take care of this pet or someone else equally important. Believe that there is nothing that they wouldn’t give up or sacrifice to take care of them. Have some damn faith that they are responsible, grief-stricken, panicking parents of whatever they are desperately seeking advice for. Maybe they just lost their job and can’t cover the unexpected expense, maybe they barely survive on food stamps for now, maybe they spent the last of their scant savings on the last vet/doctor bill that came up two weeks ago. Maybe, they don’t need someone to tell them that they don’t care enough, aren’t responsible enough, or that they don’t make enough sacrifices. You have NO IDEA what they are going through and just because they become desperate enough to reach out into the void of the internet hoping that maybe someone out there will be able to give them some kind of lifeline to hang on to for just a few more seconds of hope does NOT mean that you have an excuse to be an ass!