Linda recently posted a comment on the perennially popular thread of “Why Is My Dog Vomiting Bile?” (According to Google Analytics, the post, from 2007, is the all-time most-read Vet Blog post.)

I really hope the people that are asking for advice when their dogs suddenly stop eating, etc will see a vet instead of just posting questions on the internet. They could be seriously ill and you could have time to help them if you see a vet.

Linda, you have made an extremely important point (it is a point that I have made repeatedly as well — and I’m repeating it yet again today). I often get questions about animals that are suffering from repeated seizures, difficulty breathing, an inability to urinate, profuse hemorrhage, coughing up blood, or collapse and unconsciousness.

Folks, these are urgent, life-threatening emergencies. If your pet is in a life-or-death situation, don’t waste time on your computer. High-tail it to the vet. After you get home, you can submit a question and I’ll be happy to provide any insight that I can. But if your pet is seriously ill, go to the vet first.

Thanks, Linda, for bringing this subject up again. It needs to be covered every once in a while.