Betsy Brevitz

Brevitz has written a superb book, a complete reference on nearly every imaginable situation that goes with having a canine companion. There are nineteen chapters and three appendices. The chapters cover everything from Choosing a Healthy Dog or Puppy, as part of an excellent preventative health section to When The End Is Near, the best chapter on approaching the end of your beloved friend’s life that I have ever read--and I say this as someone who lives with a 14 1/2 year old dog who clearly can not have that much more time left. There are two excellent reference chapters, First Aid and Poison Control, and ABC Guide to Injuries and Emergencies, both of which summarize, in a well-organized fashion for instant use, advice given in other chapters.

There are thirteen chapters on common canine illnesses, organized broadly by system, such as allergies, digestive tract problems, bones and joints, as well as a chapter on cancer. These are extremely thorough. In the beginning of each of these chapters is a page titled “Emergency!”, in which Brevitz lists common symptoms for that particular system, whether emergency action is called for, or whether you can wait to call the vet during office hours. These chapter are outstanding--written in a clear and accessible style while being extremely informative. I read every page in every chapter; just as medical students supposedly think they have every ailment they study, I was sure, in each chapter, that one or more of our dogs had one of the severe illnesses described! Such are the perils of a book reviewer.

The appendices are equally informative. One lists quite a few purveyors of pet health insurance, gives a brief overview of costs and coverage, and lists Web sites and phone numbers. Another gives an overview of alternative medicine, although there is some coverage of specifics in relevant chapters. A third lists US veterinary resources such as veterinary schools or hospitals, state by state. The final appendix lists helpful Web sites for dog owners.

I have four other reference books on various aspects of dog health care. In over 50 years of living with animals, there have been plenty of times--usually in the middle of the night or on Sunday--when there has been some sort of health situation with one of our animals. During those times, I have to assess the situation: do I call the vet immediately or can it wait until the morning. I have used those reference books heavily. I can say without reservation that Brevitz’s book is the best I have ever read; for me, it is the only reference book I need. Given that her resources are pitched to dog owners in the US and that I live in the country of Panamá, I can’t use some of the information, such as that on pet health insurance, but I learned an enormous amount, some of it immediately applicable, as I read through the book. One section on dog nutrition, will save me a significant amount of money on dog food. I thought I knew all the trick of pet food razzle dazzle marketing, but there was one I fell for, and I’m delighted to know I’m not compromising one of our dog’s sensitivity to skin problems by switching a perfectly good but less expensive food.

This is the one book that all dog owners should have.… (mais)