| CAT OWNER'S HOME VETERINARY HANDBOOK Delbert G. Carlson, D.V.M. James M. Giffin, M.D. Liisa Carlson, D.V.M. (Special Contributions)1 New York: Howell House, 1995 |
Rating: 5.0 High |
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| ISBN-13 978-0-87605-796-4 | ||||
| ISBN 0-87605-796-2 | 419pp. | HC/BWI | $24.95 | |
If you have owned a cat for any length of time, you've probably encountered times when the cat had to be taken to a veterinarian — perhaps even rushed there in an emergency. At such times, knowing what can be done before you head for the vet can often increase your pet's chances of a full recovery as well as reduce your bill for services.
"In writing this book, we have described the signs and symptoms that will lead you to a preliminary diagnosis—so you can weigh the severity of the problem. Some health problems are not serious and can be treated at home. Knowing when to call your veterinarian is of great importance. Delays can be costly." At the same time, we have sought to provide guidance for the acute or emergency situations that common sense dictates you should handle on your own. Life-saving procedures such as artificial breathing, heart massage, obstetrical emergencies, poisonings and the like are illustrated and explained step by step. – Page xxiv |
Many ailments in cats are treatable at home. It's important to remember, however, that cats are not small humans. Physiological differences exist that, if not recognized, can lead to the cat being mis-diagnosed or mis-treated. For example, it's thought that the cat's liver is less robust in dealing with drugs than a human's. Thus, while aspirin may be given safely at home to your dog, this common pain reliever is potentially dangerous to cats and should be used only with a veterinarian's direction.2
The first chapter covers emergencies — such things as burns, frostbite, poisonings, insect stings and snakebites, and wounds. It also describes the safe ways to handle an injured cat, which, even if normally gentle, may scratch or bite when in pain. It is preceded by a listing of contents for a cat first aid kit. In addition to the expected items like adhesive tape and cotton swabs, this includes "betadine solution" and triple antibiotic ointment. These products are not described (but see the chapter on drugs and medicines.)
This well-organized handbook presents a wealth of information in its twenty-three chapters. In addition to diseases and treatments, nutrition, behavior and training, and sex and pregnancy are covered. Numerous photographs and some tables and diagrams aid understanding, and there are frequent cross-references to a more complete discussion of a topic elsewhere in the book. The presentation reveals a great deal of experience on the part of the authors, a veterinarian and a physician. An appendix provides feline physiological data, contact information for cat fancy and registration organizations, and a guide to buying a healthy kitten.
I consider this an excellent sourcebook for any cat owner. While crammed with technical detail, it is never too abstruse for the average reader. However, the writing in places is not sharp and occasionally seems confusing or even contradictory. For example, see the second paragraph quoted above. I would not consider "poisonings and the like" to fall within the category of life-saving procedures. I did not have time to read the entire book, but I did read the chapters on worms, infectious diseases, drugs and medicines, and nutrition. These convinced me that the work is of high quality. I would not mark it down for its poorly written passages;3 and it may be that the newer 2007 edition corrects them.
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