Is Your Pet's Health at Risk? The 7 Shocking Truths About Social Media Vet 'Experts'!

A recent Facebook post has raised alarms among dog owners, claiming that common behaviors in dogs, such as eating grass and licking their paws, signal a serious immune issue. “First they eat grass. Then they lick their paws. Then they slow down. Then the lumps appear. It’s not four separate problems — it’s one immune system screaming for help,” reads the post shared by accounts like “Healthy Dog Insiders” and “Furry Family Wellness.”

This message eventually caught the attention of Utah State University Extension Veterinarian Chloe Stenkamp-Strahm, who was approached by a concerned client asking whether these claims were valid. The post suggests that dogs, having descended from wolves, should be consuming mushrooms to enhance their immune systems. It even implies that a lack of this nutrient could lead to premature death in pets.

However, Stenkamp-Strahm immediately flagged several misconceptions in the post. For one, the act of dogs eating grass is widely observed and not necessarily an indicator of illness. “We still do not know why dogs eat grass, and although historically we have tried to link this to GI illness, we really don’t have true evidence of that,” she explained. “Unless grass-eating is associated with vomiting or other clinical symptoms, or it becomes obsessive/compulsive in the dog, we tend to just monitor.” She also highlighted the importance of preventing dogs from eating grass treated with chemicals.

Regarding the claims about lumps and bumps, Stenkamp-Strahm emphasized that any growth persisting for over a month should be examined by a veterinarian. “If lumps or bumps are actively growing or changing or painful, having them assessed earlier in the course of noticing is ideal,” she noted. Typically, vets will perform an aspirate of any mass to determine its nature under a microscope.

When the post referenced a study from the University of Pennsylvania in 2012 about dogs with cancer and their survival rates with turkey tail mushrooms, Stenkamp-Strahm did some investigation. She found a pilot study titled “Single Agent Polysaccharopeptide Delays Metastases and Improves Survival in Naturally Occurring Hemangiosarcoma.” This study involved 15 dogs with a specific type of cancer, showing that those treated with the active ingredient in turkey tail mushrooms lived, on average, 113 days longer than untreated dogs. However, it is essential to note that this study is not applicable to the general dog population nor to the symptoms discussed in the Facebook post.

Moreover, the post promotes a turkey tail mushroom supplement sold by PuppyLabCo, which links back again to Dr. Sarah Martinez, DVM, whose credentials became questionable when Stenkamp-Strahm attempted to verify them. A reverse image search on the photo connected to Dr. Martinez led to a different veterinarian, Lien d’Hespeel, from Animal Oasis Veterinary Hospital in Naples, Florida. D’Hespeel expressed her frustrations about her image being misused to endorse a product she does not support, labeling such misleading marketing as common in the online veterinary space. “It’s discouraging to see how easily pet owners can be persuaded away from evidence-based care and guidance from licensed veterinarians,” she said in an email.

Attempts to reach the email registered with the domain associated with Dr. Martinez went unanswered prior to the publication of this article, leaving many questions about the authenticity of the information being shared.

In an age where misinformation can spread rapidly, especially regarding pet health, it’s crucial for dog owners to approach such claims with caution. Always consult a qualified veterinarian for guidance tailored to your pet's specific needs rather than relying on unverified social media posts. With the well-being of our furry companions at stake, informed decisions backed by credible sources are imperative.