Books - Diet and Health

Health

Veterinary Advice for Greyhound Owners
By J. Kohnke, Published by Seven Hills Books, ISBN: 948955872, 1994

Published by veterinary researchers at Oregon State University, this is a comprehensive book on Greyhound medicine.


The Merck Veterinary Manual
A Handbook of Diagnosis, Therapy, and Disease Prevention and Control for the Veterinarian (8th Ed)
By Clarence M. Fraser, Susan E. Aiello; 8th Edition, Published by Merck & Co , ISBN: 0911910298, Mar 1998

Caring for Your Older Dog
A Comprehensive Guide to improve the quality of life and longevity of your older pet
By Chris C. Pinney, DVM, Published by Barrons Educational Series, ISBN: 0812091493, Oct 1995

Caring for Your Older Dog

Reviewed by: 
Kate Bressler

As Greyhound adoption matures, so do our dogs. Greyhounds are now living longer, healthier lives than ever before. Many live to be fourteen and fifteen years old with some surviving to celebrate their sixteenth birthdays. 

Those of us who have dedicated our lives to the geriatric hound, constantly seek reference materials to help us care for our aging friends. This comprehensive little $10, 178-page book is one of the best I've found. 

Dr. Pinney, a practicing veterinarian in Texas, begins by explaining the canine aging process and methodically progresses through the seven chapters of the book: 

  1. The Aging Process and its Effects on Older Dogs 
  2. Preventive Health Care for Older Dogs 
  3. Diagnosing Illness in Older Dogs and Interpreting Laboratory Data
  4. Select Diseases and Disorders Affecting the Body Systems of Older Dogs 
  5. Clinical Signs and Complaints 
  6. Select First Aid Procedures 
  7. Euthanasia and Your Older Dog (a mere three pages) 

He stresses the need for preventive health care beginning with several pages devoted to nutrition. Dr. Pinney also thoroughly discusses and explains internal and external parasites; nail, ear, and dental care; grooming; and vaccinations before moving on to Chapter 3. 

Fourteen tables scattered throughout Caring for Your Older Dog illustrate Dietary Management of Disease in Older Dogs, Components of a Complete Blood Count (CBC), The Urinalysis and Its Interpretation; and Specialized Diagnostic Tests Utilized in Veterinary Medicine. These tables are in an easy-to-understand format, making them even more useful. 

My favorite feature of this book is its many lists. Each list or table gives several possible reasons for each symptom. Lists outline the causes of abdominal swelling; anorexia; coughing; incoordination, falling, and circling; hair loss or itching; constipation; seizures, and more. An useful table lists over-the-counter medications useful for first aid. 

Caring for Your Older Dog has seventy-six full-color photographs. Most of these photographs show clear examples of checking for anemia by examining gums; checking for jaundice in ears or eyes; for glaucoma and cataracts and more. Included are radiographs that are somewhat more difficult to make out for us laymen. If you have never seen heartworms, that pile of them on page 55 might shock you. 

Like all Barron's books, Caring for Your Older Dog is an incredible value: small enough to fit in the glovebox of your car or inexpensive enough to have one for the car and one for home. Once you add it to your canine-care library, this book will quickly become an invaluable resource.

Reprinted with permission from Celebrating Greyhounds: The Magazine, Summer, 1998. © Kate Bressler

Reviewed Publication: 

Caring for Your Older Dog

http://adopt-a-greyhound.org/sites/adopt-a-greyhound.org/files/publications/books/bc-pinney-s.jpg
A Comprehensive Guide to improve the quality of life and longevity of your older pet
By: 
Chris C. Pinney, DVM
Published by: 
Barrons Educational Series
ISBN: 
0812091493
Oct 1995

from our review: As Greyhound adoption matures, so do our dogs. Greyhounds are now living longer, healthier lives than ever before. Many live to be fourteen and fifteen years old with some surviving to celebrate their sixteenth birthdays. Those of us who have dedicated our lives to the geriatric hound, constantly seek reference materials to help us care for our aging friends. This comprehensive little $10, 178-page book is one of the best I've found.

Out of Print: 
0
Category: 
Health
Review: 
Caring for Your Older Dog

from our review: As Greyhound adoption matures, so do our dogs. Greyhounds are now living longer, healthier lives than ever before. Many live to be fourteen and fifteen years old with some surviving to celebrate their sixteenth birthdays. Those of us who have dedicated our lives to the geriatric hound, constantly seek reference materials to help us care for our aging friends. This comprehensive little $10, 178-page book is one of the best I've found.


Care of the Racing Greyhound
A Guide for Trainers, Breeders and Veterinarians
By Drs. Linda L. Blythe, James R. Gannon and A. Morrie Craig, Published by Veterinary Practice Pub. Co., ISBN: 0964145618, 1994

This is probably the most comprehensive, concise reference on Greyhound nutrition. Also available from the American Greyhound Council. National Greyhound Association, P.O. Box 543, Abilene, KS 67410; (913) 263-4660.


Diet

Food Pets Die For
Shocking Facts About Pet Food
By Ann M. Martin, Michael W. Fox, Published by Newsage Press, ISBN: 0875962432, Oct 1997

From Publishers Weekly: Food Pets Die for: Shocking Facts About Pet Food by Ann N. Martin was the first expos‚ of the shocking practices within the pet food manufacturing industry. Since the book's publication in 1997, she has been calling attention to the dubious ingredients and methods employed by many firms. And in this updated guide, Martin continues to put pressure on the big companies to find alternatives. She suggests that if acceptable commercially prepared food is not available, food can be made at home using safe and human-quality ingredients, and she provides recipes and suggestions for supplements. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.


Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats
By Richard H. Pitcairn, Susan Hubble Pitcairn, Published by Rodale Press, ISBN: 0875962432, Jul 1st 1995

Amazon.com review: A classic natural pet-care book from two celebrated veterinary specialists in chemical-free nutrition, treatment, and natural healing for pets, Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs & Cats offers valuable natural and holistic advice on a host of pet topics, including, but not limited to, diet, exercise, environment, coping with a pet's death, and how to care for a sick animal. In addition to their thorough discussion of the above, Richard Pitcairn, D.V.M., and his wife, Susan Hubble Pitcairn, M.S., offer a comprehensive "quick reference" section on animal illnesses, organized alphabetically and including a brief description of each illness, preventative measures that may be taken, and holistic and natural treatment options for both dogs and cats--treatments that should always be discussed with one's vet before being used. Occasional line drawings, informative graphs, and the Pitcairn's intelligent prose make this guide a must-have for pet owners interested in a natural lifestyle for their pets.


Dog Treats
By Kim Campbell Thornton, Jane Calloway, Published by Main Street Books, ISBN: 0385484607, 1996

The market for specialty pet food items is growing at a fantastic rate. Dog Treats shows readers how to prepare an array of tasty and healthful foods for their pets, and discusses how to use the treats when teaching tricks, what to do if a pet is overweight, and even how to deal with food-related disorders.