ChatGPT is an artificial intelligence tool that allows you to have a conversational exchange with a chatbot.

We decided to test its veterinary knowledge against the doctors that work at Animal Medical of New City to see how accurate this powerful computing tool can be. Here are the results.

Question: Hey ChatGPT. What should I do if my dog has diarrhea?

CHAT’s answer:

If your dog has diarrhea, there are several things you can do to help them feel better and recover:

Withhold food for 12-24 hours: Allow your dog’s digestive system to rest by withholding food for at least 12-24 hours. However, make sure your dog has access to plenty of clean water to prevent dehydration.
Switch to a bland diet: After the fast, introduce a bland diet of boiled white rice and boiled chicken or lean ground beef. Feed your dog small, frequent meals throughout the day.
Monitor your dog’s stool: Keep a close eye on your dog’s stool to make sure it is firming up. If the diarrhea persists or worsens, consult with your veterinarian.
Provide probiotics: Probiotics help restore the balance of good bacteria in your dog’s gut. You can find probiotics in many pet stores or ask your veterinarian for recommendations.
Seek veterinary care: If the diarrhea is severe, your dog becomes lethargic, or if there is blood in the stool, seek veterinary care immediately.

It’s important to note that diarrhea can be caused by a variety of factors, including infections, parasites, food allergies, and underlying health conditions. If your dog’s diarrhea persists, it’s best to seek advice from a veterinarian.

Animal Medical’s Feedback

The chat’s response is boiler plate. Nothing terribly wrong with it, but nothing particularly helpful. Here is what I would add to decrease the likelihood of dismissing a seemingly benign symptom that could be more serious.

How old is this dog with diarrhea? Young dogs are more likely to have an intestinal parasite or worse, have ingested an inanimate object (pica) like a toy. In either case, trying to fix things with fasting risks more harm than good.
How much does this dog with diarrhea weigh? Dogs under 10 pounds have a more difficult time bouncing back from the water loss and inappetence caused by diarrhea. In fact, fasting for a young, small dog with diarrhea would not be recommended at all.
Blood in stool? Though alarming, bright red blood in stool is often just a sign of an irritated lower bowel. Of course, a lot of blood loss can be quite debilitating, but a bit of blood in loose stool is commonplace and not necessarily cause for panic.
Lastly, and most importantly, if you’re pet’s diarrhea is chronic, treatment recommendations are likely to change significantly, so a visit to Animal Medical would most important

Question: Why is my cat crying when he uses the litter box?

CHAT’s answer:

It’s not uncommon for cats to vocalize while using the litterbox, but the reason for this behavior can vary. Here are some possible reasons why your cat might cry while using the litterbox:

Pain or discomfort: If your cat is experiencing pain or discomfort while using the litterbox, they may cry out. Possible causes of pain or discomfort could include urinary tract infections, constipation, or arthritis.
Anxiety or stress: Cats who are feeling anxious or stressed may cry while using the litterbox. This could be due to a change in their environment, such as a new family member or a move to a new home.
Attention-seeking behavior: Some cats may cry while using the litterbox as a way to get attention from their owners. This could be due to boredom or a lack of social interaction.

If your cat’s crying while using the litterbox is persistent or if you notice any other signs of illness or discomfort, it’s best to consult with your veterinarian to rule out any underlying health issues.

Animal Medical’s Feedback

Hmmm, not sure where you get your cats, Chatty, but ours do not normally cry when using the litter box.

While it is possible for cats to cry out for all the reasons described in CHAT’s response, it is not our experience that they are on display when a cat goes to the bathroom, usually a time when he or she is feeling vulnerable and prone to be more secretive.

Pet owners should have an ear out for cats crying when using the litter box and follow up to see that the cat has produced his or her regular amount of stool or urine and that its appearance is the same. Constipation, or worse, urinary infections or blockages, happen frequently enough that all cat owners should be on alert for them. They both can be signs of more serious illness and in the case of urinary infections or blockages, they can be deadly for male cats. Conservatively, if your cat has never before cried when using the litter box, but now is exhibiting this behavior, you should bring him in for an examination.

Question: I found a tick on my dog. What should I do?

CHAT’s answer:

If you find a tick on your dog, it’s important to act quickly to remove it. Here are the steps you can follow to safely remove the tick:

Use tweezers to grasp the tick as close to your dog’s skin as possible.
Pull the tick straight out with steady pressure. Do not twist or jerk the tick, as this can cause the mouthparts to break off and remain in your dog’s skin.
After removing the tick, clean the area with rubbing alcohol or soap and water.
Dispose of the tick by placing it in a container of rubbing alcohol, flushing it down the toilet, or placing it in a sealed bag or container.
Monitor your dog for any signs of illness or infection, such as lethargy, loss of appetite, or fever. If you notice any of these symptoms, contact your veterinarian.

It’s also a good idea to talk to your veterinarian about tick prevention measures for your dog, such as topical treatments, collars, or oral medications. Preventing ticks from attaching to your dog in the first place is the best way to protect them from tick-borne illnesses.

Animal Medical’s Feedback

Pretty good! I like that the answer does not include practices like smothering the tick with olive oil or trying to make the tick uncomfortable with heat, both of which have mixed results and can complicate matters. In my experience using a tick remover tool like the O’tom tick remover makes tick removal a breeze. Also, professional formulations of flea and tick products are very good. Given that 1 our of 4 dogs in our area tests positive for some kind of tick borne disease, I recommend Bravecto or Seresto for those who prefer a collar option , probably two of the safest and most effective flea and tick preventatives on the market.

Question: Why does my dog’s breath stink?

CHAT’s answer

There are several reasons why your dog’s breath may smell bad. Some of the common reasons include:

Poor dental hygiene: Just like humans, dogs need regular dental care to maintain healthy teeth and gums. If your dog’s teeth are not cleaned regularly, bacteria can build up in their mouth, causing bad breath.
Diet: Your dog’s diet can also contribute to bad breath. If your dog eats food that is high in protein, it can create a sulfur-like odor in their breath.
Health issues: Bad breath can also be a sign of an underlying health problem. Some of the health issues that can cause bad breath in dogs include diabetes, kidney disease, and gastrointestinal problems.
Chewing on objects: Dogs are known to chew on objects, including things they should not. If your dog has a habit of chewing on objects such as sticks or plastic, it can cause bad breath.

If your dog’s breath smells bad, it is recommended to take them to a veterinarian to determine the underlying cause and to get proper treatment. In the meantime, you can help improve your dog’s breath by regularly brushing their teeth, providing them with a healthy diet, and providing them with safe objects to chew on.

Animal Medical’s Feedback

A for effort, but this answer sounds more like a Family Feud survey of the internet’s most popular responses to the question, rather than grounded advice.

Here is what I believe needs said.

If your pet has chronic bad breath, it is likely due to dental disease. Dental disease in pets is the number one most untreated health issue in companion animals and it’s too bad. Dental disease is progressively debilitating. It drags on an animal’s appetite, saps him or her of energy, is a source of chronic pain, and can lead to secondary health issues like obesity (due to lethargy), low grade systemic infection, and kidney, liver, or heart issues. Pet owners should budget for regular pet dental cleaning. If you need ideas on how to save for this procedure, please visit our financing page.

As for plastic or sticks causing bad breath…that’s just plain wrong…or at least terribly misleading and while issues like diabetes can cause a change in the way a pet’s breath smells, the disease would have to be very advanced.

Question: How do I choose the right veterinarian for my pet?

CHAT’s answer:

Choosing the right veterinarian for your pet is an important decision, and it can make a significant impact on your pet’s health and well-being. Here are some tips that can help you choose the right veterinarian for your pet:

Ask for recommendations: Ask your family, friends, or co-workers who have pets about their experiences with their veterinarians. You can also check online reviews or forums to see what others are saying about local veterinarians.
Check the veterinarian’s credentials: Ensure that the veterinarian you choose is licensed, trained, and experienced in treating pets. You can check their credentials on their website or by contacting the state veterinary board.
Consider the veterinarian’s specialties: Some veterinarians have specialized training in certain areas, such as surgery, dentistry, or behavior. If your pet requires specialized care, consider a veterinarian with relevant expertise.
Visit the clinic: Schedule a visit to the veterinarian’s clinic to see if it’s clean, well-maintained, and equipped with modern medical equipment. Also, observe the staff’s behavior towards the animals and see if they are compassionate and caring.
Discuss payment options: Make sure you understand the veterinarian’s payment policies, including their fees and payment methods. If you have pet insurance, check if the veterinarian accepts it.
Consider location and accessibility: Choose a veterinarian that is located near your home or workplace, so you can easily visit them in case of emergencies.

Overall, choosing the right veterinarian for your pet requires careful consideration and research. By following these tips, you can find a veterinarian who can provide the best possible care for your furry friend.

Animal Medical’s Feedback:

I think this answer is very thorough and having read it, I would like to throw our hospital’s hat into the ring. We’d love to be your provider of veterinary care! I would add that every experience you have at our practice will include:

Listening: We will give you our undivided time to hear your concerns and learn about your pet’s health issues.
Caring: We meet daily to discuss the cases that we are about to see and share ideas on how we can make pets and people feel at ease, feel heard, and know that they are in hands of people they can trust.
Relationship building: Though ChatGPT is a great source of knowledge, our team members add an extra resource: friendship. One of the best parts of our job is meeting, talking to, learning about, and knowing our clients. We look forward to meeting you!

How to Use ChatGPT

Feel like asking ChatGPT some questions? Here’s how you do it.

Go to openai.com
On the lower left, at the bottom of the screen, select ChatGPT
Select ‘Try ChatGPT’ on the left side of the screen, about midway down.
Click the ‘Verify you are human’ box.
Click ‘Sign up’
Enter an email address and password and click ‘Continue’
Reaffirm that you are human
Check your email, open up the letter sent from OpenAI, and click ‘Verify email address’
Enter your first and last name and press ‘Continue’
Enter your phone number (you must be able to receive a text message on the phone you provide)
Check your phone, find the six digit code sent by OpenAI, and enter the numbers into the screen on your browser.

And that’s it! You’re all done.

ChatGPT as a Source of Veterinary Medical Information

ChatGPT is still imperfect. The tool has already been shown to be error prone especially when it comes to medicine. ChatGPT can be trusted for general information, but pet owners are strongly encouraged to seek out medical help from licensed veterinarians regarding any animal health issues.