The classic bestseller—expanded and updated
The guide dog lovers have relied on for more than twenty-seven years, this handbook has been extensively revised to include the latest information on everything from canine healthcare to nutrition to holistic treatments. Dog Owner’s Home Veterinary Handbook, Fourth Edition, is the definitive guide for every dog owner. It puts vital information at your fingertips, with:
An index of signs and symptoms to help you find information fast
Clearly written, step-by-step directions for handling common canine ailments and problems
A chapter on emergencies that explains what to do immediately for shock, broken bones, burns, dehydration, heat stroke, poisoning, insect stings and bites, wounds, and more
Hundreds of photos and drawings that illustrate what to look for and what to do to provide the best care for your dog
A glossary of terms
With this guide, you’ll know when to rush your pet to the vet and when you can begin treatment at home. You’ll communicate more effectively with your vet. You’ll have the latest information on every aspect of your dog’s medical care when you need it. This is the hands-on reference you’ll trust again and again.
Tabella dei contenuti
Introduction.
Chapter 1: EMERGENCIES.
Handling and Restraint.
Artificial Respiration and Heart Massage.
Shock.
Acute Painful Abdomen.
Broken Bones.
Burns.
Cold Exposure.
Dehydration.
Drowning and Suffocation.
Electric Shock.
Heat Stroke.
Poisoning.
Insect Stings and Bites.
Snakebites.
Wounds.
Chapter 2: GASTROINTESTINAL PARASITES.
Deworming Puppies and Adult Dogs.
How to Control Worms.
Ascarids (Roundworms).
Hookworms (Ancylostoma).
Tapeworms.
Whipworms.
Threadworms (Strongyloides).
Other Worm Parasites.
Chapter 3: INFECTIOUS DISEASES.
Bacterial Diseases.
Viral Diseases.
Fungal Diseases.
Protozoan Diseases.
Rickettsial Diseases.
Antibodies and Immunity.
Vaccinations.
Available Vaccines.
Vaccination Recommendations.
Chapter 4: THE SKIN AND COAT.
The Dog’s Coat.
Avoiding Coat and Skin Problems.
Beyond the Brush.
Bathing.
Sorting Out Skin Diseases.
Fleas.
Ticks.
Other External Parasites.
Using Insecticides.
Lick Granuloma (Acral Pruritic Dermatitis).
Allergies.
Disorders with Hair Loss.
Pyoderma (Skin Infections).
Autoimmune and Immune-Mediated Skin Diseases.
Chapter 5: THE EYES.
How Dogs See.
What to Do if Your Dog Has an Eye Problem.
The Eyeball.
Eyelids.
The Nictitating Membrane (Third Eyelid).
The Outer Eye.
The Tearing Mechanism.
The Cornea.
The Inner Eye.
Retinal Diseases.
Chapter 6: THE EARS.
Basic Ear Care.
The Ear Flap.
The Ear Canal.
The Middle Ear.
The Inner Ear.
Deafness.
Chapter 7: THE NOSE.
Signs of Nasal Irritation.
The Nose.
The Nasal Cavity.
Chapter 8: THE MOUTH AND THROAT.
How to Examine the Mouth.
Signs of Mouth and Throat Disease.
The Mouth.
Teeth and Gums.
Taking Care of Your Dog’s Teeth.
The Throat.
Salivary Glands.
The Head.
Chapter 9: THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM.
Endoscopy.
The Esophagus.
The Stomach.
Vomiting.
Small and Large Bowels.
Diarrhea.
The Anus and Rectum.
The Liver.
The Pancreas.
Feeding and Nutrition.
Chapter 10: THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM.
Abnormal Breathing.
The Larynx (Voice Box).
Coughing.
Trachea and Bronchi.
The Lungs.
Tumors of the Larynx, Trachea, and Lungs.
Chapter 11: THE CIRCULATORY SYSTEM.
The Normal Heart.
Heart Disease.
Arrhythmias.
Congestive Heart Failure.
Heartworms.
Anemia and Clotting Disorders.
Chapter 12: THE NERVOUS SYSTEM.
Neurological Evaluation.
Head Injuries.
Brain Diseases.
Hereditary Diseases.
Seizure Disorders.
Coma.
Weakness or Paralysis.
Spinal Cord Diseases.
Peripheral Nerve Injuries.
Chapter 13: THE MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM.
Limping or Lameness.
Bone and Joint Injuries.
Inherited Orthopedic Diseases.
Arthritis.
Metabolic Bone Diseases.
Vitamin and Mineral Supplements.
Chapter 14: THE URINARY SYSTEM.
Signs of Urinary Tract Disease.
Diagnosing Urinary Tract Diseases.
Diseases of the Bladder and Urethra.
Enlarged Prostate.
Kidney Disease.
Chapter 15: SEX AND REPRODUCTION.
The Basics of Genetics.
Breeding Purebred Dogs.
Mating Procedures.
Artificial Insemination.
Male Infertility.
Female Infertility.
Pseudocyesis (False Pregnancy).
Unwanted Pregnancy.
Preventing Pregnancy.
Diseases of the Female Genital Tract.
Diseases of the Male Genital Tract.
Chapter 16: PREGNANCY AND WHELPING.
Pregnancy.
Whelping.
Dystocia (Prolonged or Difficult Labor).
Postpartum Care of the Dam.
Postpartum Problems.
Maternal Neglect.
Chapter 17: PEDIATRICS.
Caring for Newborns.
Raising Puppies by Hand.
Diseases of Newborn Puppies.
Weaning.
Feeding Growing Puppies.
The Importance of Early Socialization.
Acquiring a New Puppy.
Training Advice for Your Puppy.
Chapter 18: TUMORS AND CANCERS.
What Causes Cancer?
Treating Tumors and Cancers.
Common Surface Tumors.
Soft Tissue Sarcomas.
Transitional Cell Carcinoma of the Bladder.
Bone Tumors.
Reproductive Tract Tumors.
Leukemia.
Chapter 19: GERIATRICS.
The Geriatric Checkup.
Behavior Changes.
Physical Changes.
Functional Changes.
Weight Changes.
Temperature, Pulse, and Respiration.
Diet and Nutrition.
Hospice Care.
Euthanasia.
Chapter 20: MEDICATIONS.
Anesthetics and Anesthesia.
Analgesics.
Antibiotics.
Drug Complications.
How to Give Medications.
Appendix A: NORMAL PHYSIOLOGICAL DATA.
Appendix B: COMPARATIVE AGE OF DOGS AND HUMANS.
Appendix C: LABORATORY TESTS.
Appendix D: USEFUL RESOURCES.
GLOSSARY.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS.
INDEX.
Circa l’autore
Debra Eldredge, DVM, has won writing awards from both the Dog Writers Association of America and the Cat Writers’ Association. Dr. Eldredge has practiced for more than twenty-five years at a small animal clinic. In addition, she is a regular columnist for
Dogs in Review and is very active in the world of dog sports, participating in agility, flyball, and herding, just to name a few.
Liisa D. Carlson, DVM, runs Carlson Pet Hospital, which was started by her late father, Delbert G. Carlson. She contributed extensively to the second and third editions of Dog Owner’s Home Veterinary Handbook. The late James Giffin, MD, coauthored all previous editions of this guide.