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Your Dog's Best Health: A Dozen Reasonable Things to Expect From Your Vet [Paperback]

Dr. Nancy Kay
5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)

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Book Description

December 2, 2011
In Speaking for Spot Dr. Nancy Kay taught us why we need to be medical advocates for our pets and how to fulfill this important role. In Your Dog’s Best Health she takes us to the next level by spelling out what is reasonable to expect from your vet. The book’s clear, humor-laden content focuses on “relationship centered care,” a style of communication that facilitates collaborative discussion with your vet about your dog’s diet, vaccinations, second opinions, referral for specialized care, your Internet research, and medical and financial options. Additionally, Dr. Kay teaches you to expect round-the-clock care, email communication with your vet, and the opportunity to be with your beloved pet when he or she passes away. The last chapter of Your Dog’s Best Health is reserved for clarifying what your veterinarian reasonably expects from you! What you learn will result in a win-win-win situation for you, your dog, and your veterinarian. Visits to the vet will never be the same! This book is filled to the brim with new and wonderfully practical information and advice. In her usual direct and humorous style, Dr. Kay has once again established herself to be a stellar advocate for successful communication between pet owners and their vets.
--Dr. Marty Becker, Featured Columnist Vetstreet.com and Veterinary Contributor for Good Morning America and the Dr. Oz Show Brilliant! Everyone who has a dog should have a copy of this concise and useful book. Dogs (and vets) everywhere will thank Dr. Nancy for writing it.
--Patricia B. McConnell, PhD, CAAB, Author, The Other End of the Leash and For the Love of a Dog So many of the complaints I hear from family members and friends about their veterinarians could be prevented if only these dog-loving consumers read I. Put into practice, Dr. Kay’s sensible and informed advice about achieving a dozen reasonable things to expect from your vet can help any guardian get the most value for their veterinary health care dollar. Importantly, Dr. Kay’s advice will also protect and preserve the lines of communication and trust between the veterinarian and his client, thus maximizing the benefits to the all-important patient.
--Nancy Kerns, Editor, The Whole Dog Journal The author of I has done it again! Dr. Nancy Kay pulls no punches as she educates us about what we are entitled to as consumers of veterinary medicine. This book belongs on the shelves of dog lovers everywhere. Dr. Kay continues to be our best friend when it comes to advocating for our dogs’ health. We have a lot to thank her for!
--Claudia Kawczynska, Editor, The BARK Magazine There is no one in the veterinary world today advocating more powerfully for clear communication between pet owner and veterinarian than Dr. Nancy Kay. In I she cuts through misconceptions and false assumptions to lay out a simple blueprint to guide vet and owner to an effective working relationship and the best possible outcome for every dog.
--Christie Keith,"Your Whole Pet" Columnist, San Francisco Chronicle/SFGate.com Few veterinarians have the credentials, skill and knowledge of Dr. Nancy Kay, and fewer still have the gift for sharing what they know to help pet lovers get the best care for their animals. A paragraph by Dr. Kay is worth a celebration. Another book? A bargain at any price, full of passion, compassion and easy-to-understand knowledge you can use to work with your own veterinarian.
-Gina Spadafori, Syndicated Pet-Care Columnist and Author, Dogs For Dummies

Frequently Bought Together

Your Dog's Best Health: A Dozen Reasonable Things to Expect From Your Vet + Speaking for Spot: Be the Advocate Your Dog Needs to Live a Happy Healthy Longer Life + Plenty in Life Is Free: Reflections on Dogs, Training and Finding Grace
Price for all three: $36.22

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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

DR. NANCY KAY wanted to become a veterinarian for just about as long as she can remember. Her veterinary degree is from Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine, and she completed her residency training in small animal internal medicine at the University of California—Davis Veterinary School. Dr. Kay is a board certified specialist in the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine and published in several professional journals and textbooks. She lectures professionally to regional and national audiences, and one of her favorite lecture topics is communication between veterinarians and their clients. Since the release of her book, Speaking for Spot: Be the Advocate Your Dog Needs to Live a Happy, Healthy, Longer Life, Dr. Kay has lectured extensively and written numerous magazine articles on the topic of medical advocacy. She was a featured guest on the popular National Public Radio show, Fresh Air with Terry Gross. Dr. Kay’s newest book is called, Your Dog’s Health: A Dozen Reasonable Things to Expect From Your Vet. Her award winning blog, “Spot Speaks” is posted weekly (www.speakingforspot.com/blog). Dr. Kay is a staff internist at Upstate Veterinary Specialists, with locations in Greenville, South Carolina and Asheville, North Carolina. Dr. Kay was selected by the American Animal Hospital Association to receive the 2009 Hill’s Animal Welfare and Humane Ethics Award. This award is given annually to a veterinarian or nonveterinarian who has advanced animal welfare through extraordinary service or by furthering humane principles, education, and understanding. Dr. Kay was selected as the 2011 Leo K. Bustad Companion Animal Veterinarian of the Year, an award presented every year by the American Veterinary Medical Association to a veterinarian whose work exemplifies and promotes the human animal bond. Dr. Kay has received several awards from the Dog Writer’s Association of America. Dr. Kay’s personal life revolves around her husband (also a veterinarian), her three children (none of whom aspire to be veterinarians) and their menagerie of four-legged family members. When she’s not working or writing, she spends her spare moments in the garden or riding atop her favorite horse. Dr. Kay and her husband reside in Hendersonville, North Carolina.

Product Details

  • Paperback: 124 pages
  • Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (December 2, 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1466381957
  • ISBN-13: 978-1466381957
  • Product Dimensions: 0.3 x 5.9 x 8.9 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #190,301 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

DR. NANCY KAY wanted to become a veterinarian for just about as long as she can remember. Her veterinary degree is from Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine, and she completed her residency training in small animal internal medicine at the University of California--Davis Veterinary School.

Dr. Kay is a board certified specialist in the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine and published in several professional journals and textbooks. She lectures professionally to regional and national audiences, and one of her favorite lecture topics is communication between veterinarians and their clients. Since the release of her book, Speaking for Spot: Be the Advocate Your Dog Needs to Live a Happy, Healthy, Longer Life, Dr. Kay has lectured extensively and written numerous magazine articles on the topic of medical advocacy. She was a featured guest on the popular National Public Radio show, Fresh Air with Terry Gross. Dr. Kay's newest book is called, Your Dog's Health: A Dozen Reasonable Things to Expect From Your Vet. Her blog, "Spot Speaks" is posted weekly (www.speakingforspot.com/blog).

Dr. Kay is a staff internist at Upstate Veterinary Specialists, with locations in Greenville, South Carolina and Asheville, North Carolina. Dr. Kay was selected by the American Animal Hospital Association to receive the 2009 Hill's Animal Welfare and Humane Ethics Award. This award is given annually to a veterinarian or nonveterinarian who has advanced animal welfare through extraordinary service or by furthering humane principles, education, and understanding. Dr. Kay was selected as the 2011 Leo K. Bustad Companion Animal Veterinarian of the Year, an award presented every year to a veterinarian whose work exemplifies and promotes the human animal bond. Dr. Kay has received several awards from the Dog Writer's Association of America.

Dr. Kay's personal life revolves around her husband (also a veterinarian), her three children (none of whom aspire to be veterinarians) and their menagerie of four-legged family members. When she's not writing, she spends her spare moments in the garden or riding atop her favorite horse. Dr. Kay and her husband reside in Hendersonville, North Carolina.

Customer Reviews

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This is the book I wish I had written. marty greer  |  1 reviewer made a similar statement
And if you haven't, by all means get your copy now! Dani Weinberg Ph.D. CDBC  |  3 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars An easy read December 22, 2011
Format:Paperback
An easy read, weather for enjoyment or for information, A DOZEN REASONABLE THINGS TO EXPECT FROM YOUR VET is very informative. It has told me how to be a better client and dog owner.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Full of great information December 19, 2011
Format:Paperback
"I loved Dr. Kay's first book, Speaking for Spot, which taught me how to be an effective medical advocate. This book is equally wonderful and has confirmed for me that the things I truly want from my pets' veterinarian are reasonable to expect. This book has given me to tools to ask for those things. Thank you Dr. Kay!"
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Great gift! December 19, 2011
Format:Paperback
I received this holiday gift a bit early this year and I'm so glad I did. Dr. Kay has done it again, with even more detail on how to be the best health advocate for your dog. Imperative read for all pet owners...her writing even helped me evaluate my own health care decisions! Looking forward to more from this author.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Dr. Kay has done it again!! December 16, 2011
Format:Paperback
Dr. Kay has been informing the pet-loving public through her blog, books and radio appearances for years and her new book is full of the same practical and useful information that we have come to expect. Written with authority and a strong sense of compassion for pets and those who love them, she tackles some of the most common situations that modern pet owners face, and offers up sage advice on dealing with modern-day situations. The relationship between veterinarians, their patients and their clients is not what it was 20 years ago, and this book highlights how things have changed. I answers common questions, like: Can you communicate with your vet through email? Will your vet let you into the back of the hospital? How can you talk about medical costs with your vet?
Unlike other books that have outdated or incorrect information, this tome of timely tidbits helps shed some much-needed light on how things have changed and how to get the most out of your relationship with your veterinarian. It is written by a knowledgeable veterinary specialist who also happens to be a fine human being and understands what pet owners want and need. I highly recommend it!
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Dr. Kay's Done it Again December 16, 2011
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I have given Speaking for Spot to all my doggie clients and they have thanked me profusely. This new book just adds to the knowledge we can come informed with to our vets and for this I'm very grateful. In today's world with so much information at our fingertips I feel it's important to have a broad base with which to communicate with our vets to help our dogs thrive. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for offering your words of wisdom in the name of our doggie companions. I"ve already ordered more for my clients and family for the holidays.

Jill aka Shewhisperer
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Essential for all dog owners January 1, 2012
Format:Paperback
Everything you always wanted to know but were afraid to ask! Dr. Kay discusses the sometimes touchy subjects such as Round-the-Clock Care (who will take care of my hospitalized dog during the night?), Access to 'The Back' of the Hospital (can I go back with my dog for her nail trim?), Second Opinions (is it OK to ask for one or will it hurt my vet's feelings?), Internet Research (should I tell my vet about the latest discovery I read about on line that might help my dog?)

Dr. Kay handles each subject with good sense and humor and gives us ideas about how to broach these tricky questions. In some cases, she explains clearly why the vet might decline to accede to our requests. In others, she suggests options to consider, including looking for a different veterinarian who prefers to do what she calls "relationship centered care" rather than one whose communication style is "paternalistic." This is a very useful distinction that every dog owner who wants to be an advocate for her/his dog must understand. Do you want a vet who considers you an important part of your dog's life and well being and who acts collaboratively with you, listening to what you say, answering your questions, and showing empathy and support? Dr. Kay believes that this relationship-centered style leads to better veterinary care for your dog.

If you've read Dr. Kay's first book, "Speaking for Spot," you won't want to miss this one. And if you haven't, by all means get your copy now! Both books are excellent and indispensable.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars My Personal Vet Book December 15, 2011
Format:Paperback
Dr. Kay's book, Speaking for Spot, has been THE guide for my dog and I. The world of medicine is confusing for people, but mix in dogs and it gets even more confusing. I gave the book to all of my dog owning cousins because we all need a personal Vet guide.

I was excited when I found out she wrote a book about working with your dog's Vet. Dr. Kay is clear and compassionate in Speaking for Spot and Your Dog's Best Health. With her guidance, I feel like I am a better advocate for my dog and a better communicate with our Vet.

Her new book, Your Dog's Best Health: A Dozen Reasonable things to Expect From Your Vet, is on my holiday list for my cousins. It is a perfect companion to Speaking for Spot.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Wish every veterinary client would read this! January 22, 2012
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is the book I wish I had written. Thanks for doing this for the clients and the profession, Dr. Kay.

I picked this up on my way out the door last week, off of a stack of unread promising books. Once I opened it and began to read, I was hooked.

This is a quick and easy read - on the airplane, I had devoured it in only an hour. It is well-organized, easy to follow, has a great visual appeal to the reader, and is chock full of great advice for dog and cat owners as well as practicing veterinarians.

I too have been in veterinary practice 30 years (and more recently have entered law practice), and have seen veterinary medicine evolve from the paternalistic to the client and patient centered care. I know my ability to offer the care that is best for my patients and clients would be improved if the veterinary community and pet-owning community could come together as suggested by this book. I LOVE having my clients deeply entrenched in their pet's care - it is better for everyone involved.

The first 12 chapters explain the medicine behind how to get the best care for your pet. The last chapter explains the "rules" of the veterinary culture and how to work effectively with the veterinarian and her staff.

I am working hard to develop a way to provide this book to my clients and staff who are able to read and use the material to strengthen our mutual ability to provide the best care for the pets I am entrusted to care for. Together, staff and clients can move great veterinary care to an even better level of medicine and service.

Thanks again for the contribution to our client's ability to provide the best care possible for their pets.
Marty Greer DVM JD Veterinary Village LLC and Animal Legal Resources LLC Wisconsin
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