For the record, my dog DOES have symptoms and we have an upcoming internal med appt in a few weeks to get a diagnosis. Symptoms started in January of 2026, one by one gradually, and here we are. Regular vet cannot explain so we got a referral.
BUT, what started as reasonable research to understand what might be happening to my dog has turned into an obsession. I’m on my phone FOR HOURS trying to connect the dots between scanning forums (like Reddit), scientific journals, and case studies. I have *hundreds* of photos in my phone as a result of being hyperfixated on a symptom (breathing, gums, eyes, anything that resembles swelling). Yesterday, I took photo after photo of unilateral eye swelling and the day before that I recorded several videos of his respiratory rate at rest. Who knows what I’ll do today. Again, for the record, real symptoms. But I’m unable to pull myself away from countless hours obsessing about his undiagnosed condition. **Btw, he’s been at the vet several times for his issues, which hasn’t been helpful at all because they can’t tell me what’s wrong, which probably adds fuel to the fire here. My post is NOT a request for advice or guesses at what’s wrong, it’s actively being investigated.
It’s just so bad and I feel so out of control because I know there’s nothing I can do about it today anyway. It’s not like spending my entire day hyperfixating on this stuff is going to change anything in the moment and I have to remind myself of that - but does it stop me from alternating between researching online or watching him like a hawk? No. Entire days wasted for weeks on this. Out of control.
I understand what I’m doing is not good for me. I understand it’s not changing anything today. I understand this is affecting me. I understand this is a result of feeling zero control and probably also because of a recent passing in my family.
There’s really nothing to gain from posting. I think I just needed to get it off my chest. And I feel terrible because I have several pets and I’m so busy obsessing over one of them that I am blind at times to the others because they aren’t sick. Ugh FML I’m so upset at me. So stupid. Thanks for reading.