Veterinary Notes For Dog Owners [Paperback]

I wouldn't recommend this book at all, and cannot agree with either the other reviewer or the "synopsis" that it's in any way comprehensive. No "vet" book that doesn't even advise on how to take a dog's temperature can be called comprehensive! I bought it because the title "Veterinary Notes..." gave me the impression this would be more complex than your average doggie care book. I wanted a book that gave more in-depth advice on illnesses such as cancer, cysts, skin problems, first aid etc. What I got was a book that (1) doesn't even mention many common health problems....."mast cell tumours" and "subaceous cysts" cannot even be found in the index, despite them being the two most common lumps and skin cancers in a dog! The only mention of either of these is by NAME ONLY in a list of illnesses that are not explored beyond their name. (2) A book that, whilst neglecting many common illnesses, devotes much to other lesser seen illnesses and to subjects one would not really class as of a veterinary nature (such as how to show your dog in a competition). For example, the book offers a teeny chapter on first aid which doesn't even tell you how to take a temperature! Yet the book gives more space (I'd say wastes space actually) by offering chapters on, of all things, pet insurance - getting so involved in it as to give quotes of costs, how to complete a claim form and listing contact details!!!! WHY????? It even has a chapter on showing your dog!!! Again, WHY?? This is supposed to be a veterinary book which most people would, I would think, expect to be about health issues.(3) A very outdated book where examples of vet charges are so old as to now be way off actual cost, and the telephone numbers of insurances companies have not been updated from before three London number changes ago!!! It's obvious the editors have not made any effort to update this book since it's first print in 1993, which means a lot of the progress of veterinary science has not been made use of in this book. If you want a VERY BASIC book - you might just be appeased with this (although I've spent less than half the cost on far better books). Even then, try and find advice on taking a dog's temperature - it's nowhere in the index or first aid section. The first aid section itself is very sparce and doesn't give many of the essentials at all. AN ILL-BALANCED BOOK WHICH IS VERY OUTDATED AND, IN MANY CASES, IRRELEVANT AND UNHELPFUL. --- TRY INSTEAD, "DOG OWNER'S HOME VETERINARY HANDBOOK" ISBN: 0876052014 - a far superior book which I rate a 5. It's got precisely what you'd expect from a book claiming to be of a veterinary nature. This too is available from Amazon which is where I got my copy from.

If you are looking for a self help manual this is not the one for you. Having said that I thought the style of writing wonderful, I liked the perspective of the author towards dogs, the humour and pragmatism. No sentimentality just a very readable book which makes the content easily understandable. As to the content, I can only comment as a lay person. But I thought the book covered most of what the average dog owner would need to know, including why and how! A useful reference book for the family pet. If you have quite specific needs, this may not be the book for you.

This is one of the most informative books I have found on dog health-an excellent buy! There are detailed sections on all of the body systems with informative, accurate drawings and xrays to understand the theory. As well as general health sections, there are chapters on behaviour and training, nutrition, veterinary nursing and pet insurance and everything is written by experts in their particular field. The book contains everything that dog owners need to know all in one. Essential reading!