Pet Allergies [Paperback]

Alfred J. Plechner DVM (Author), Martin Zucker (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Very Healthy Enterprises; 1st edition (June 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0961545208
• ISBN-13: 978-0961545208
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #288,746 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #6 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Science > Technology > General & Reference
  • #66 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Home & Garden > Animal Care & Pets > Dogs > General

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

66 of 68 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally treating the problem... not just the allergy symtoms, November 2, 2001

By 

Robert R. Lewis (Old Greenwich, CT United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pet Allergies (Paperback)

Unfortunately all common therapies for allergies tend to treat the symptoms and not the root of the problem, the immune system. Medicated baths, fatty acids, antihistimines, allergy shots (the actual success rate of such injections is less than 50%,and now I know why) did very little to help my itchy dog. The author suggests a food trial and endocrine (hormone) test first and foremost. Apparently some animals change dramatically once they are on a diet of novel protein and a novel carbohydrate. Their symtoms are greatly relieved, once they are no longer eating the offending food. Dr. Plechner's book addresses the improper breeding practices (breeding a dog/cat with allergies thus resulting in a litter with allergies) as a cause of such immune problems. The author gives the reasons why so many animals are allergic to beef, brewers yeast, wheat, eggs, corn, milk, etc. He calls this the hit list of things to avoid. Dr. Plechner explains the relation of estrogen, cortisol and thyroid hormone. If these are not balanced, the immune system cannot function properly. The actual cortisone my dog was receiving was not being absorbed and we would have never known without the endocrine test that the author suggests. I am saddened to think that cats and dogs are being prescribed cortisone without having the absorption level tested. My dog was hypothyroid yet was never previously tested because she did not exhibit classic symptoms. So because of this book, my dog eats a healthy commercially prepared diet of rabbit, venison, and fish and potatoe. I am happy to say she now takes a natural plant derived cortisone daily and thyroid medication daily and no longer scratches, plus her inflamed,chronically infected ears are healed!! Thanks to the author Dr. Plechner and this wonderful book. Even the Scientific Director of the Humane Society gave this book a glowing reccomendation.

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An important book for petowners, February 20, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Pet Allergies (Paperback)

As far as I know, this is really the only book on this subject for laypersons. Luckily, it is very helpful, with good information on nutrition and immunological disorders as well as allergies. This book helped me understand my cat's ongoing food allergies and helped me improve her health (it is even more informative on dogs than cats). I highly recommend it for its detail and brevity; the author is a veterinarian who has specialized in this problem and seems very reliable and knowledgable. Some of his information contradicts things I have read in other pet health/nutrition books -- he recommends cooking homemade food, for example -- and there are no recipes here, only guidelines; but the author is also responsible for producing a line of anti-allergy pet food that my cat did very well on. One of the best things about this book is that it does not oversimplify the problem; he recommends consulting with a vet for complex problems. But his advice and information would definitely give you an idea of the kinds of questions to ask and the tests to ask for. Buy another book for recipes, but buy this book for scientific explanations of allergy problems in terms a layperson can understand, and for good advice on how to begin addressing those problems.

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book was a life saver, March 19, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Pet Allergies (Paperback)

This book was not only a life saver but an eye opener as well. The information contained in this book describes the problems, makes you think about the causes and then helps you to find a remedy. It also makes you think a great deal about the question, "If this is what the food we give to the animals we love does to them, what is the food we are giving to ourselves and our children doing to us?" As the doctors mention in the back of the book, many of the allergies and symptoms that humans have can be so closely compared to the allergies and symptoms our animals have. A great book to buy and have on your shelf for reference and review. I have my beloved dog with me today because of this book. Thank you