[sanderson]

This is my review of "The Complete Healthy Dog Book" by Betsy Bervitz DVM. This book, published by Workman Publishing, spans almost 500 pages and covers everything dog-related, from puppyhood to senior dogs. Is this a useful guide for your bookshelf? Find out in this review.

The first thing I appreciate about this book, aside from the vast amount of tips and medical information, is the candor of the author, Dr. Nancy Kay. In addition to being a veterinarian, she is also a specialist, a diplomate of the Academy of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM). But don't let that scare you. She writes in such a comfortable easy tone that I feel like I know her in person, and I wish I did. This book is like a trusted friend you can turn to for questions and advice concerning your best friend the dog. Before the book, Dr. Kay had her own medical scare: breast cancer. Thankfully, after three months of worry, this turned out to be completely negative. However the experience made her realize that she had a huge advantage navigating the workup procedures as a medically trained person. It was one of the reasons she wrote this book, because our dogs cannot always tell us what is wrong, where it hurts, or what they think we should do. Dog caregivers likewise may not always notice or able to communicate to their veterinarian what is going on. This book was written to bridge that gap by enhancing our pet observation skills and encouraging effective communication with veterinary staff.
I liked the pullout quotes, quick reference guides, checklists and case profiles found throughout the book. This added interest, and and drove home the points of the main text.
Dr. Kay offers a wealth of information that is easy to read, memorable and even humorous at times. The appendices of symptoms and diseases are packed with information and could really be their own book. They are cross-referenced to the main book for additional questions to ask your veterinarian, and when applicable, information on veterinary anesthesia and surgery.