Open the
front cover and the first two pages you see contain the Index of Signs
and Symptoms, from Abdomen (painful, swollen, distended, and tucked
up) to Weight loss, Wheezing, and Whining (continual). There's a comprehensive
index in back, of course, running the gamut from Abortion to Zinc-Responsive
Dermatosis, which is all very useful, but when your pooch is in pain,
it's great to be able to turn, with the minimum of folderol, to the
page that says to relax, it's nothing a bit of extra grooming won't
fix, or alternatively to hightail it over to the vet hospital. It's
a wonderful reference for any dog owner, with chapters on emergencies
(such as burns, dehydration, and poisoning), as well as worms, infectious
diseases, skin care, and canine eyes, ears, and nose. There are chapters
on the digestive, respiratory, and circulatory systems, the nervous,
musculoskeletal, and urinary systems, plus dog sex, whelping, puppy
pediatrics, geriatrics, and chapters on cancers and medications. In
short, it covers every health dimension a dog owner might want to know
more about, identifies the possible causes, helps you determine the
severity of the condition, and indicates what treatments or actions
to take to best insure your dog's good health. --Stephanie Gold
Hardcover,
423 pages, 2nd/Rev edition (September 1992)