Book Review: Dog Owners Veterinary Handbook

[gypsy]

Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook, 3rd Edition. By: James M Giffen, MD & Liisa D Carlson DVM. Howell Book House/Hungry Minds.

While i like the 'net, when i am rushed, stressed, or it is the middle of the night, and i need to know NOW! i prefer books. Have quite a collection. This is the latest, and i can highly recommend it to just about everyone. Being me, i am reading it straight thru, and it is highly readable, very well organized, and goes well beyond the general 'dogs get fleas, puppies get colic, this is a broken bone, these are vaccines" etc. It is divided up into the basic parts of anatomy: intestines, skin, reyes, nose, ears, digestive, respitory, nervous,skeletal,urinary, as well as a very detailed chapter on whelping, neonates, and breeding. Has a good comprehensive section on cancers, and emergencies. There is also a geriatric section, and the section i really liked was the medicine section.......gives dosages for aspirin, benadryl, and the like.
I would like more pictures, and more line drawings. But this is definitely a good book to have on hand for just about anyone, novice to veteran.

[DeLaUK]

Great book, especially for vet techs that havent been on the job long enough to have got their heads around all the technical jargon. I have the 1st edition.
I have to say one thing though, a little criticism....sorry.... theres a saying "just enough information to be dangerous in the wrong hands". While it is a great book its not for everyone, you do need a basic understanding of your dog, theres a lot of dog owners around that know about as much about their dogs body/system/needs etc as I know about the engine of a Porsche....which is zilch. Some things are better left to the professionals.
Theres nothing wrong with not being clued up about your dog, your dont have to be a dog expert to have a dog, if you fall into that category of people then maybe the book is good to use as a general guide and to educate yourself a little but like I said leave the medicine and prognosis to the professionals.

Sorry hope that didnt offend anyone, I just call it like it is.

[gypsy]

None taken, i agree with you totally. For me, i like to have an idea if it is an emergency vet trip, or can it wait until morning. 'Course, i work in a docs office, so i find all this stuff fascinating.........