Knowing when to take your dog to the vet and when to let him “self-regulate” is pretty tricky business: how do you know when you need to see a professional? After all, it’s not like you can trust your dog to let you know.
No one likes to shell out $80 for an unnecessary visit to the vet, but then again, no conscientious dog owner can bear to watch their dog suffer either! Frankly, it’s a bit of a quandary.
I’ve had dogs on and off all my life, and this remains something I’ve never felt 100% comfortable with: of course, I’d always rather be safe than sorry (a point of view that has resulted in many, many trips unnecessary trips to the vet over the years, just to reassure myself)…but I’ve also always wanted the kind of solid grounding in the basics of canine medicine that would allow me to confidently decide for myself when my dog needs to see the vet vet, and when I can save him and me the trouble!
stress-free dog care
You can imagine the relief I felt when I stumbled upon The Ultimate Guide to Dog Health (by Malcolm Fields, Dog Grooming Professional) on the internet. It was amazing – this guide is exactly what I was looking for. It’s comprehensive and detailed, covering all the common health problems (both serious and not) that dogs suffer from; the general approach is to be prepared and take preventive measures; teaches you how to accurately self-diagnose (with the help of step-by-step flowcharts that tell you if you’ll be fine on your own, if you need to see the vet, and how urgently you need to see the vet); And while it’s packed with knowledge and advice from veterinarians and trained dog care specialists, it’s easy on the eyes and easy to read…you can really understand what they’re trying to say!
Simply put, it’s detailed (but not overwhelming), comprehensive (covers all common ailments and diseases), knowledgeable (keeping it conversational and easy to understand), and gives you the kind of introduction to dog medical care that will take good care of your dog, without spending unnecessary time and effort trying to absorb the jargon of a veterinary textbook!
What is really covered?
The book deals with all the common problems and ailments that dogs suffer from. It covers problems such as toothaches and dental disorders, ear infections, rashes and chafing, eye irritations, deworming problems and lameness; chronic problems such as vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, asthma, respiratory disorders, and liver problems; more serious problems like arthritis and cancer; and symptomatic “red flags” such as hair loss, lethargy, and behavioral changes.
On top of that, you’ll also learn to spot early warning signs by accurately identifying and interpreting your dog’s body language; how to groom your dog quickly and effectively; how to take good care of his teeth and gums; how to administer medications safely and easily; and how to recognize the early warning signs of health disorders through physical and behavioral changes.
All of this information is fully supplemented by full-color diagrams, photographs, and illustrations.
My favorite part
While it’s great to learn about canine anatomy and medical issues, what I wanted to know the most was: How do I know how serious the problem is and when should I take my dog to the vet?
So I was particularly pleased to note the presence of many detailed symptom charts, which were specially designed to help owners make sound decisions about their dogs’ health care. Each chart starts with the specific symptoms of a particular ailment (simply follow the “branches” of the flowchart, depending on what symptoms your dog is having) and tells you the recommended treatment route for each, as well as advice if the veterinarian attention should be sought and, if so, how urgently. Pure genius!
something for nothing
In addition to the fully illustrated 240-page guide, you also get a handful of tempting freebies: specifically, four bonus books.
There’s “The Ultimate Guide to Dog First Aid,” which is an incredibly helpful resource for those situations that require an immediate response (including how to perform the canine Heimlich maneuver and CPR for dogs); “180 Gourmet Recipes for Your Dog,” which really teaches you how to please your dog’s taste buds; “101 Ways to Pamper Your Dog for Under $10,” detailing all kinds of budget-friendly luxuries and activities for you and your dog to enjoy together; and “20 Super-Healthy Recipes for Your Dog,” proving that healthy dog food is just as delicious as anything else. These books have a combined value of over $80, not a bad gift!
The Ultimate Guide to Dog Health: Summarized
All in all, I could not be happy with this product. It’s exactly what I was looking for, and even if I hadn’t spent the last decade wishing for a book like this, I think I’d buy it in a second: it’s so helpful.
This is an information resource that all responsible dog owners should have access to. Not only does it allow you to make good decisions about the more serious health problems dogs often suffer from, but you also learn a lot about the minor, everyday ailments and afflictions that almost all dogs will encounter from time to time. , as well as a series of useful facts about preventive care.
This comprehensive guide to canine health will help you spot little problems before they become big ones – truly a must.