Zoobiquity: What Animals Can Teach Us About Health and the Science of Healing [Deckle Edge] [Hardcover]

Barbara Natterson-Horowitz (Author), Kathryn Bowers (Author)

Book Description

Release date: June 12, 2012 | ISBN-10: 0307593487 | ISBN-13: 978-0307593481 | Edition: 1

In the spring of 2005, cardiologist Barbara Natterson-Horowitz was called to consult on an unusual patient: an Emperor tamarin at the Los Angeles Zoo. While examining the tiny monkey’s sick heart, she learned that wild animals can die of a form of cardiac arrest brought on by extreme emotional stress. It was a syndrome identical to a human condition but one that veterinarians called by a different name—and treated in innovative ways.

This remarkable medical parallel launched Natterson-Horowitz on a journey of discovery that reshaped her entire approach to medicine. She began to search for other connections between the human and animal worlds: Do animals get breast cancer, anxiety-induced fainting spells, sexually transmitted diseases? Do they suffer from obsessive-compulsive disorder, bulimia, addiction?

The answers were astonishing. Dinosaurs suffered from brain cancer. Koalas catch chlamydia. Reindeer seek narcotic escape in hallucinogenic mushrooms. Stallions self-mutilate. Gorillas experience clinical depression.

Joining forces with science journalist Kathryn Bowers, Natterson-Horowitz employs fascinating case studies and meticulous scholarship to present a revelatory understanding of what animals can teach us about the human body and mind. “Zoobiquity” is the term the authors have coined to refer to a new, species-spanning approach to health. Delving into evolution, anthropology, sociology, biology, veterinary science, and zoology, they break down the walls between disciplines, redefining the boundaries of medicine.

Zoobiquity explores how animal and human commonality can be used to diagnose, treat, and heal patients of all species. Both authoritative and accessible, offering cutting-edge research through captivating narratives, this provocative book encourages us to see our essential connection to all living beings.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

A Look Inside Zoobiquity

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Review

“If common ancestors with worms, fish, and apes lie in our past, then Zoobiquity points the way to our future. The connections we share with the rest of life on our planet are a source of beauty and, in Natterson-Horowitz and Bowers’ luminous new account, the inspiration for an emerging and powerful approach to human health. Zoobiquity is a book that explodes barriers and myths all in the purpose of bettering the human condition.”
—Neil Shubin, paleontologist and author of Your Inner Fish
 
“Zoobiquity is full of fascinating stories of intersection between human and nonhuman medicine — fish that faint; dinosaur cancers; human treatments that cure dogs of melanoma; lessons from adolescent elephant behavior that explain human teenagers. I was beguiled.”
—Atul Gawande, M.D.
 
“Centered on an insight rich with consequences, this beautifully written book is loaded with fascinating material that makes a compelling case for viewing human health and disease comparatively. We have more to learn from other species than I had ever suspected. Gripping and memorably engaging, it belongs in the hands of anyone with an ounce of curiosity about the biological sources of the human condition.”
—Stephen Stearns, PhD., Edward P. Bass Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University
 
 “Fascinating reading about the similarities in both the physiology and behavior of people and animals.”
—Temple Grandin, Ph.D.

“astute and funny… revelatory…Zoobiquity is as clarion and perception-altering as works by Oliver Sacks, Michael Pollan, and E. O. Wilson.” –Booklist
 
“The book features countless intriguing anecdotes of cross-species health problems…after finishing, you’re guaranteed to never look at your dog, cat, or any other animal the same way again.” –Publisher’s Weekly 
 
“A groundbreaker written for the lay reader.” –Library Journal, 12/12/11
 
“Engaging and accessible…This book not only speaks to the medical zeitgeist, it is also often profound. It will appeal to readers of Temple Grandin, Oliver Sacks, Neil Shubin, E.O. Wilson, Atul Gawande, and others writing about medicine and health. Highly recommended.” –Library Journal, 8/17/12
 
“Like the best narrative nonfiction, this book will appeal to a wide range of readers...But this book is more than popular science; by combining human and veterinary medicine, the authors seek to change our view of the human place in the animal kingdom, and, with it, the way we treat illness, regardless of the species of the sufferer…vivid and illuminating.” –Politics & Prose
 
“a very credible argument for collaboration between disciplines…entertaining and beautifully written.” –New York Journal of Books
 
“you will find the argument hard to resist. Plus you will have some killer dinner party gems. Who could resist the story of lemurs with erectile dysfunction, or the iguanas that ejaculate prematurely?” –New Scientist
 
“the authors provide solid evidence that humans are not as far removed from the rest of the natural world as we might have thought. Engaging, useful account of the similarities between humans and other animals.” –Kirkus Review
 
“Zoobiquity reinforces the interconnectedness of life on Earth…In another words, we’re all in this together.” –The Globe and Mail
 
“Illuminating…This very engaging book is difficult to put down. It provides lots of information in an easy-to-understand manner that doesn’t feel overwhelming, perhaps because of the liberal use of humor throughout. Reading Zoobiquity gave this reader a totally new perspective on his furred and feathered neighbors.” –The Boston Globe
 
“Groundbreaking…essential…truly innovative…the concepts in Zoobiquity are presented so clearly and documented so extensively that they appear to have struck a chord in both the general population and the medical community.” –Yale Human Animal Medicine Project
 
“A truly fascinating look at the similarities between us and other animals…engrossing and enlightening reading.” –The Bark
 
“An entertaining and insightful series of anecdotes, bolstered by the latest in medical and veterinary science…” –Santa Barbara Independent

O Magazine 2012 Summer Reading List
 
Los Angeles Times 2012 Summer Reading List
 
Los Angeles Magazine “New and Notable” Pick

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Knopf; 1 edition (June 12, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0307593487
• ISBN-13: 978-0307593481
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 1.2 x 9.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (82 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #47,456 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #12 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Biological Sciences > Zoology > Mammals
  • #58 in Books > Medical Books > Veterinary Medicine

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 37 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Timely, Informative, and Just Plain Interesting June 21, 2012

By D_shrink VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)

The authors define ZOOBIQUITY as a connecting species spanning approach to the diagnostic challenges and therapeutic puzzles of clinical medicine.

Just a few of the many interesting inter-species connections discussed include that:

1. Rhinos get leukemia
2. Melanoma occurs in many animals from penguins to buffaloes
3. Koalas contract chlamydia - in fact, it is decimating them
4. Like humans, animals binge-eat, hoard food, and eat in secret at night
5. Octopi and stallions among other species engage in self mutilation
6. Chimpanzees in the wild suffer can suffer from depression
7. Many different species use plants to self medicate, including hallucinogens to feel better mentally
8. Animals do commit suicide, especially those with terminal parasitic infections
9. There was even evidence of dinosaurs having developed brain cancer

As an animal lover, especially of dogs and horses, I was pleased to find out that in 2012 the Canine Lifetime Health Project was begun to study the health and especially cancer in the 3000 Golden Retrievers signed up by their owners. This is the doggy equivalent of the famous Framingham Health Study for humans. An interesting side note to this area is that Beagles and Dachshunds were the least likely canine breeds to develop cancer, while unfortunately Boxers lead the list in developing mast cell tumors, which are quite rare in humans, and Chow Chows commonly get gastric carcinomas and melanomas.

In the chapter titled ROAR-GASM the author informs us that "[Sex in animals as in humans] is not always linked to reproduction. In fact, it could be argued that the vast majority of sexual activity in animals does not have procreation as a goal...."

In a later chapter titled ZOOPHORIA the author informs us that some animals as the Tasmanian Wallabies, who often gorge on poppy plants, become addicted to drugs.

There are simply too many interesting and wonderful facts to learn how mankind has so much in common with other species than one ever imagined possible.

Simply a wonderful and informative read. Read more ›

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting read and theme. Went on a bit too long. November 15, 2012

By Jersey Reader

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

THe material was well communicated and the diversity of topics was interesting. In my Audio CD version, the reader was engaging and paced the narrative well. As mentioned in the heading, I thought the theme was interesting and well developed. Lots of detail, a nice description of the scientific to a non-scientist.

I did find however that the habit of listing ten animals for every condition was tiresome. I also thought there were perhaps too many examples and too much detail for the examples given. I found myself fast forwarding in places. The author also repeated herself a few times when covering similar material in different chapters.

For me, I would have been willing to give this four stars had the content been more focused. Maybe you will be more indulgent.

18 of 21 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous! July 26, 2012

By J. Gomez TOP 500 REVIEWER

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Zoobiquity: What Animals Can Teach Us About Health and the Science of Healing by Barbara Natterson-Horowitz and Kathryn Bowers

"Zoobiquity" is the outstanding book that introduces a new approach on how to improve the health of both human and animal patients. This is a beautifully written book that captures the love of science, the advantages of cooperation with the ultimate purpose of serving all living kind. Dr. Barbara Natterson-Horowitz and staff editor Kathryn Bowers will take the reader on a wonderful and enlightening scientific journey through the animal kingdom with a focus on health. This excellent 320-page book is composed of the following twelve chapters: 1. Dr. House, Meet Doctor Dolittle, 2. The Feint of Heart, 4. Jews, Jaguars, and Jurassic Cancer, 4. Rour-gasm, 5. Zoophoria, 6. Scared to Death, 7. Fat Planet, 8. Grooming Gone Wild, 9. Fear of Feeding, 10. The Koala and the Clap, 11. Leaving the Nest and 12. Zoobiquity.

Positives:
1. What a fun and enlightening book this was!
2. Extensively researched and well executed book.
3. Great accessible science writing. Engaging, educational and humorous. The authors treated this topic with the utmost respect and care.
4. A fascinating topic, learning about our relatives in the animal kingdom helps bring light to all species including ours.
5. Establishes early on the new approach to health that will benefit both human and all animal kind, Zoobiquity.
6. It's a journey through the animal kingdom. What makes this book great is the number of interesting medical stories in the animal kingdom and how it relates to humans. Bravo!
7.... How bringing knowledge from converging scientific fields like: medicine, evolution, anthropology, genetics, neuroscience and zoology come together to form a sound approach in health.
8. Great facts and fascinating scientific tidbits throughout this book.
9. Wonderful job of making this book accessible to the masses. Terms that I never quite grasped in the past like how cancer really forms are no longer obscure to me.
10. Educational. You will learn something of value. There are many topics of interest and many are bound to touch you. Furthermore, the authors name drop which like it or not further enhances the reading experience.
11. Interesting defense mechanisms in the animal kingdom.
12. It's amazing how close we truly are to other species. Evolution...it does a specie good.
13. The always interesting topic of sex...oh my. Homosexuality in the animal kingdom. Sexual diseases.
14. The world of addictions and the interesting evolutionary basis for it.
15. The biological basis for "emotions".
16. Takotsubo...what it means.
17. An interesting discussion on Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
18. Eye-opening information on weight control. Who knew?
19. The zoobiquitous notion of self-injury. Insightful.
20. The ecology of fear.
21. The link between risk taking and adolescence.
22. The serious topic of suicide.
23. Public health scares.
24. Links to notes worked great and works consulted.

Negatives:

1. This book is what I consider high-class pop culture so if you are looking for deep scientific depth you will be disappointed.
2. Photos of the different animals and insects would have added value.
3. Charts and illustrations would have added value.

In summary, this is a fantastic book. A joy to read while learning a lot about the medical field as it relates to humans and animals. The authors did a wonderful job of providing so much valuable information while doing so with panache. The approach of cooperation between animal and human doctors is a very sound one that will and has already benefitted the health of all the species. What a wonderful treat, a well-deserved five-star effort, I highly recommend it!

Further suggestions: "Why Evolution Is True" by Jerry A. Coyne, "Your Inner Fish: A Journey into the 3.5-Billion-Year History of the Human Body" by Neil Shubin, "Before the Dawn" by Nicholas Wade, "The Greatest Show on Earth: The Evidence for Evolution" by Richard Dawkins, "The Red Queen: Sex and the Evolution of Human Nature" by Matt Ridley, "The 10,000 Year Explosion: How Civilization Accelerated Human Evolution" by Gregory Cochran, "The Penguin and the Leviathan" by Yochai Benkler, "The Compass of Pleasure: How Our Brains Make Fatty Foods, Orgasm, Exercise, Marijuana, Generosity, Vodka, Learning, and Gambling Feel So Good" by David J. Linden, "Subliminal: How Your Unconscious Mind Rules Your Behavior" by Leonard Mlodinow, "Human: The Science Behind What Makes Your Brain Unique" by Michael S. Gazzaniga, "The Violinist's Thumb: And Other Lost Tales of Love, War, and Genius, as Written by Our Genetic Code" by Sam Kean, "The Blank Slate: The Modern Denial of Human Nature" by Steven Pinker, "Braintrust: What Neuroscience Tells Us about Morality" by Patricia S. Churchland and "The Universe Inside You" by Brian Clegg. I've reviewed all of the aforementioned books, look under the tag, "book shark review". Read more ›

27 of 33 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating read June 12, 2012

By Reads4Fun

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Just got my copy today and had enough time to read a few chapters on the subway rides to and from home. I'm finding it to be a fascinating read. I'm not a doctor, I'm not a veterinarian and don't have any fancy titles behind my name. Just love to read and Zoobiquity (I love the word) is very well-written for a lay audience member like myself. Clever chapter titles. Interesting details about health in humans and animals and cross-similarities between the two. Good humor injected here and there. It's not something I expected in a non-fiction book about health and medicine. Whether you are human, love animals, work in healthcare or simply love a good book, there's something in here for you. Eagerly looking for the next break to finish up this gem. A must read.