Brevitz, Betsy, D.V.M., Hound Health Handbook, Workman, New York, 2004 (review)

ISBN: 0-7611-2795-X

This book is quite a good overview of any medical problems you might find in your dog and how to deal with them. The book is very complete, covering every part of your dog's body and the illnesses which could affect it, as well as having sections on choosing a dog or puppy, behaviour problems and maintaining a dog's health. It covers different treatments and the pros and cons of these, explaining, for example, the active ingredients in different flea treatments and the pros and cons of each.

There are two particularly good sections in this book: one is called ‘Reading dog food labels’ and the other ‘Dangerous foods’. The first goes into considerable detail about the wording used on labels and what it actually means, but bear in mind this book is published in the U.S. so the laws may not be quite the same here. There is also a section on the different types of protein and carbohydrate in dog foods, what they actually are, and whether or not they are good for your dog. The other section, ‘dangerous foods’, gives an explanation of household products and foods which are toxic to dogs. There is also a long list of poisonous plants which states what part of the dog’s system the plant can affect and whether it can be potentially fatal.

A word of warning: for some reason the book is written in the strange style of a letters page, with each individual illness introduced as if it were a letter from a reader. If you don’t mind this, go ahead and buy the book!

DO buy this book if you’re looking for a general reference book to have in the house.

DON’T buy this book if you want in-depth information on a specific illness.

very infotmative post . ill certainly lookin to buying one .. been looking for a doggy health book

Thank you Tuti.