Customer Reviews

Help Your Dog Fight Cancer: An Overview Of Home Care Options

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book has been phenomonal -- Laurie Kaplan's advice for assembling a cancer care team is very helpful, particularly to dog parents who may be "new" to the worlds of holistic and complementary medicine. Laurie's advice helped us implement the homemade diet all of our dog's veterinarians had recommended (a high protein, low carb diet is highly recommended by both holistic and allopathic (traditional) veterinarians for canine cancer patients -- as a side note, Laurie recommends Hill's N/D, which is a prescrpition food formulated for cancer patients. I prefer a similar grain-free, high protein/low carb food called "Innova Evo," which is made by Natura Pet -- the nutritional content and price are almost the same as N/D, but Innova's ingredients are more natural/higher quality, in my opinion. This is a brand new food that wasn't on the market when this book was published. website: www.naturapet.com). Perhaps most importantly, this book gives us caregivers hope and a real sense of being able to help our canine friends through this ordeal. Laurie also emphasizes that the degree to which each of us decide to treat (or not to treat) our pets' cancer is a personal matter, with no "wrong" decisions. I highly, highly recommend this book -- three cheers to Laurie Kaplan!!

It was an easy read but unfortunately one cannot utilize every single suggestion the author offers up. However we did use a lot...like changing Cody's (sweetest Golden Retreiver in the history of Golden Retreiver's) diet to something more organic..gave him yogurt which he loved..chicken..and filtered water. But after the first chemo treatment caused such unusual discomfort and stress in him, we decided to forgo any further treatments and let him go naturally. He did very well for about 8 weeks after the chemo stopped but when we found one morning he could not get up..then we knew it was time. He could still eat voraciously and drink like there was no tomorrow and as aware as ever...but he couldn't get up. It was a sad goodbye....very very sad. Sorry..anytime I have a chance to talk or write about Cody, I go off. It is very helpful to me. But the book helped us notice things we may not have noticed if we hadn't read it....so for me altho the end result was sadly unfortunate...I believe the book contained a lot of good ideas. Ok..I'll stop now

Ms. Kaplan, who was a professional veterinary writer to begin with, wrote this book for the rest of us when, after her beloved Bullet was diagnosed with lymphoma, she discovered that there was no basic "how to" book for dog owners facing the same challenge.

The result is a book that is both a handy reference, containing a wealth of information--about canine cancer, the various treatments, ideas for special diets, and so on--and a "support manual" that you can (and will) turn to over and over again as you and your dog fight the disease.

I read other cancer books, as well as a wealth of information online (about "people" cancer as well, since much of the chemotherapy is the same), but this was clearly the most valuable book.

Ms. Kaplan closes with the story of Bullet's passing (years after his battle began), and I found a great deal of support in reading that while trying to come to terms with my own experiences.

The book also contains sidebars by various veterinarians and includes tips on how to spot early signs of cancer. I wish the book was much more visible: It should be on the suggested reading list for every new dog owner.

Conveniently enough, Laurie Kaplan reviews her own book for us in the following paragraph: "His 'bedside manner' was perfect. He spoke clearly, explained everything to me in an unrushed manner and he took his time answering all of my many questions thoroughly." She's talking about the vet who supervised chemotherapy for her beloved Bullet, but she could as well be talking about her own book. It's like having a calm, friendly, no-nonsense person sitting next to you, explaining everything you could possibly want to know about cancer in dogs, from possible-and-avoidable causes to treatment options to home care to moral, emotional and financial considerations. I had already bought and read this book when my dear Ginger was diagnosed with bladder cancer, and it helped guide me through her losing battle and do the right thing for her at each step of the way.

The grim diagnosis of cancer for a beloved pet is shocking and devastating. When my Siberian Husky was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer, I spent the following three days on the Internet researching the specific type of cancer, treatment options, oncologists, diets, supplements and anything else that might help fight her prognosis. I had more questions than answers. I first saw Laurie's book at my oncologist's office. It confirmed my own research, but also offered a wealth of additional information. It is a compassionate and supportive book that offers hope and help. The topics are comprehensive and insightful and are meant to help you and your beloved companion combat a frightening disease. Laurie and Bullet's story is truly inspirational. She has great compassion for our four-legged best friends and for the people who love them. The book is truly a gift.

When my pooch was first diagnosed with lymphoma, I vainly searched local bookstores and the internet for a personal story of success at fighting canine cancer that combined traditional western veterinary medicine with non-traditional approaches. Most resources were either strongly in one or the other camp, with little discussion of how to blend a variety of approaches. Laurie's book was different, and a savior for us, as it carefully and non-judgementally presented options for integrating nutritional, herbal, homeopathic, and traditional approaches (like radiation, chemotherapy and surgery). Along the way she charms us with her and her Bullet's very personal and brave story. The combination of science, heart, humor, first-hand experience, straightforward information and cutting-edge references will be useful to anyone confronting this disease, and is an absolute must-have for companions of cancer pups.

We bought this book when we found out our Bogart had cancer. It is full of information and gives you hope. And when you learn your dog has cancer that is the first thing you need to cling to because without it, your dog is lost. This book was our cancer Bible during Bogart's fight and we returned to it often to help us get to the next day. Bogart is gone now, gone over the Rainbow Bridge, beaten by the awful cancer but if your beloved pooch has cancer I urge you to get this book. It was the most helpful of the numerous we purchased when we got the devastating news.

Ms. Kaplan writes in a clear, concise manner which makes it easy to understand the roles the oncologist, general practitioner and the holistic veterinarian may play in the treatment of canine cancer. Additionally, her love for Bullet shines through with every page; and the book has tremendous empathy for those in similar circumtances. Ms. Kaplan remains active in the fight against canine cancer and is a valuable emotional resource to many caregivers.

I've got to know about Laurie's personal fight and book in the internet. I was desperate looking for information to help my boy friend's daughter, Sara, and her GSD, Alf, who was diagnosed Lymphoma at the age of 8 years old.
There is lot of information in the net, but truth is that when we desperately need accurate information there is none. Our Alf is gone, he is now in Rainbow Bridge, the Lymphoma was very aggressive and unfortunately I live in a Country were chemotherapy for animals is a Laugh...But even so, I've read the book and I strongly recommend it to all the persons who are trying to give their dogs a chance. I know the difficulties I've had to find the correct information, and this book is the most precious thing you'll have to help your dog...
The book is easy read, full of examples, gives you information about several treatments and ways to approach the disease, so that you may decide what is best for your dog; and best of all, it teaches you how to make life easier for your pet and how to help him fighting cancer.
This is a "must have" for all dog owners!
To all of you and your dogs, I wish all the best!

As a holistic veterinarian and author (8 Weeks to a Healthy Dog, The Allergy Solution for Dogs, the award-winning The Natural Health Bible for Dogs & Cats, and the upcoming The Natural Vet's Guide to Preventing and Treating Cancer in Dogs,) I appreciate a frank discussion regarding a difficult topic. This timely book offers the experience of a pet owner who faced the challenge of pet cancer as well as veterinarians who deal with this horrible disease on a daily basis. This book presents a good overview which will allow pet owners to make the best decisions for their pets.

Shawn Messonnier DVM
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