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Doc Halligan's What Every Pet Owner Should Know: Prescriptions for Happy, Healthy Cats and Dogs by Karen Halligan, DVM
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Chapter 1
Your New Four-Legged Friend
Although your new relationship with a cat or dog will be full of excitement and wonder, these feelings can quickly turn to anger and frustration if you're not fully prepared to take on a new pet, both financially and emotionally. This chapter covers all the aspects of caring for your new cat, dog, kitten, or puppy during the first year. It also explains how to choose the right pet for your family, lifestyle, and budget. |
Chapter 2
Make No Bones About It: Your Pet Is What It Eats
Every year hundreds of pet owners spend thousands of dollars on vet bills because of what they gave their beloved pet to eat from bones to alcohol, burgers, and pizza.
This chapter will enlighten you on the importance of feeding cats (carnivores) and dogs (omnivores) the proper diet. It also includes a list of the top twenty foods that are dangerous to pets! |
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Chapter 3
Prevention Pays, Neglect Costs
Since animals can't tell us when they're sick, picking up on ailments early will save you hundreds of dollars on vet bills as well as add years to your pet's life. This chapter goes over the normal aging transitions, and teaches you how to physically examine your pets and the value of doing so. Learning how to perform a simple exam can save your pet's life. |
Chapter 4
Love Your Pet, Spay or Neuter Your Pet
Ninety percent of all hit-by-car fatalities happen to unneutered pets, and every year thousands of female dogs and cats die from breast cancer but spaying your cat or dog before her first heat cycle will decrease her chance of developing breast cancer to almost zero! This chapter talks about the many health, emotional, and financial advantages of spaying and neutering, and clears up common misconceptions. It details exactly what the surgery is and the best age to have the procedure done. |
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Chapter 5
Dental Disasters
Oral disease is the number-one health problem diagnosed in dogs and cats. This chapter covers the sizable benefits that come with taking care of your pet's teeth; it also goes step by step through how to brush your cat or dog's teeth and discusses the latest dental products on the market. |
Chapter 6
Battle of the Bulge
More than one-third of pets are overweight! This chapter points out the hidden dangers of letting pets get fat and teaches you how to trim their waistline. It explains how helping your pet lose weight is easier than you think, and covers all of the money-saving benefits of keeping pets lean and healthy.
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Chapter 7
How to Talk to Your Vet
Owners frequently leave their vet visit without even knowing what illness their pet has, what shots or treatments were given, and what the long-term prognosis is. This chapter gives step-by-step instructions to improve your communication with your vet and maximize that $30 to $100 office call. It goes over in depth what to expect before, during, and after the visit. It also provides a list of questions to ask so you can better understand your pet's health problems and make good decisions. Topics such as vet specialists and when and how to get a second opinion are covered, too. |
Chapter 8
Avoiding the Emergency Room Blues
Even something as simple as getting your pet's nails trimmed every two months can prevent unnecessary vet bills. This chapter explains what you can do to avoid taking your pet to the emergency room, and also what to do in a true emergency. It covers the everyday maintenance and preventative tasks that owners should do with their pets and also covers pet first aid, CPR, and poisonous plants to watch out for. |
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Chapter 9
The Perfect Fit: Outfitting Your Pet
Every day, dogs and cats get hit by cars because their owners don't have them properly secured. This chapter explains the various types of harnesses, leashes, collars, and carriers available, and lists the benefits of each. It also goes over pet identification and microchips. |
Chapter 10
Traveling with Your Pet
These days, more and more pet owners are taking their pets with them when they travel. Preparation and planning are crucial because traveling with pets creates its own unique stressors.
This chapter teaches you how to travel safely with your cat or dog in a car or a plane, including the necessary precautions to take before you leave. It also talks about missing pets and the quickest way to recover your lost dog or cat. |
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Chapter 11
Disaster Awareness and Preparedness
There isn't a state in the union that is immune to natural disasters or acts of terrorism. This chapter covers the lessons learned in New Orleans from Hurricane Katrina and gives detailed information on preparing now in case disaster strikes which means including your pet in your family's disaster awareness and preparedness plan. |
Chapter 12
Seasonal Disturbances
No matter where you live, there are climate changes that directly affect your pet. This chapter explains the seasonal dangers and diseases that are lying in wait for your pet, with tips on how to prepare for the seasons and avoid unnecessary vet bills. |
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Chapter 13
Seniors Are Special
Because pets age so much faster than we do, it's important to recognize the early signs of aging and practice preventative medicine to help them live longer. This chapter teaches you about the inevitable life changes you'll experience with senior pets, and how to deal with them emotionally and financially. |
Chapter 14
Health Insurance: Pros and Cons
Dogs and cats are at risk for developing all sorts of health problems, but medical services once thought impossible for pets are now routine cancer treatment, pacemakers, organ transplants, CAT scans, MRIs, and more. However, these procedures are very expensive; sometimes just diagnosing a problem can cost more than $1,000. This chapter tackles all the basics of pet health insurance, including the pros and cons. It also gives you a comprehensive list of questions to ask to ensure you get the right policy for your pet. |
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