Customer Reviews

Pet Allergies

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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.

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

Having been through every possible traditional and alternative course of treatment for my very food-allergic dog, I was at wit's end when I stumbled across this book and convinced my vet to read it too. My dog is 99% better thanks to Dr. Plechner and I honestly never thought I would see it happen. This book is revolutionary, if you ask me.

This booklet contains a mass of valuable and above all comprehensive information to cure allergies. The biggest merit of Plechner is surely the fact that he takes ALL responsible causes of what he calls an epidemic into account (commercial food, breeding practices, etc.). Furthermore, the autor provides a very logical and easy to follow strategy to treat allergies (and the numerous side-problemes, mostly not associated with allergy), based on what seems waterproof scientific fondations. Plechners approach owes a lot of its usefulness to its systematicity in analyzing and correcting the direct causes of symptoms instead of just treating the symptoms in an instinctive-like fashion. Definitely worth buying: a lot of wisdom for 8$...

This book answered so many questions, and the explanations were so clear and succinct. All the details about adrenal insufficiency are laid out, and the best ways to find out if your dog has it, and how to deal with it. It must have helped so many owners like me with problems for which there had seemed no answer until this book came along

This book gave me much to discuss with my Vet and gave me things to look for and test to have run. I was very impressed w the book.

Veterinarian Alfred Plechner has treated many pets with allergies and nutritional deficiencies, and he makes a strong case against most commercial pet foods. I found his discussion of enzyme deficiency to be helpful.

He blames many pet-health problems on improper breeding and commercial pet food. I would have liked to see a bit more information on the role of chemicals and pollution in pet disease, although he did devote a few pages to this topic and cautions against color enhancing chemicals, BHA, BHT, MSG, propylene glycol, and too much sodium.

Every pet owner should make an effort to provide their animals with healthy food. Books like this can help them.

This book is an excellent reference book if you have a pet with allergies. The information is not only current and forward-thinking, but easy to understand as well. It actually explains why the problem exists and what to do about it. It also supplies a guide to Veterinarians regarding the proper testing and treatment of the animal. I am purchasing 4 more copies to give to several vets in my area. I highly recommend it!

I used Dr. Plechner as a vet several years ago when my Aussie mix was throwing up every morning. He gave me the book, which explained a lot, and after a while on the duck and sweet potato dog food (I joked about her gourmet meals costing more than mine), she improved. Great vet, and I learned a tremendous amount about not only what to feed -- or avoid feeding - any of my dogs, but also about the irresponsible breeding practices which cause the problem... and how to test for the genetic health of an animal before I adopt. Excellent resource.