I am not fond of reviews that insist I "must! " have this or that, so please forgive me if I sound strident in my insistence that this really "should! " be in the possession of everyone who has a dog to care for. Here lies information that can help you out of the trenches and decide when you should wake up your vet in the middle of the night, when to wait till morning, and when to try handling things yourself. This is also the place where I learned how to monitor my pets vitals so I can get an idea of what may be going on and to provide my vet with some of the information needed to hit the ground running. Out of the several pet care books I have (Pitcairn's being one of them) THIS is the book that I grab first and it's the one my neighbors come over to examine when thier dog seems "off" and the one my family calls and asks me to read parts of over the phone (I will share this book, but I won't loan it). I wish they'd all get thier own copy, but at least one of us has it on hand.

As someone who has four large, geriatric dogs I love dearly, I wouldn't be without this book. Plenty of other books are going to provide you with glossy color photos and generic information, but when you need information--real, solid stuff you can leave teethmarks in, this book is what you need. General care and functioning is covered very well, but this volume really shines when things seem serious, even scary and it fleshes out those pre- and post-vet questions like no other.

PS--Pitcairn's book, which I mentioned in passing, is a nice general resource that is especially helpful for those interested in learning about feeding thier pets natural, whole-food diets. I like my copy quite a bit, but I can best describe it by saying I'll loan that book to a friend for a week or so, not so with Home Veterinary Handbook.


A Must For Every Dog Owner!   June 17, 2000
 8 out of 8 found this review helpful

Believe it or not I actually used this book the first day I received it. My huskie cut his foot and the first aid treatment was at my finger tips! The book contains symptoms, diagnosis and especially informs the owner when a vet visit or emergency visit is required. Every dog owner should have this book on hand for emergencies, symptoms and treatment to take appropriate action for the benefit and health of their beloved pet. The same as having a first aid book for the human side!


If you own dogs, you should own this book!   December 24, 1999
 35 out of 38 found this review helpful

This is by far the best health care guide for dogs. From the quick index of symptoms on the inside cover, to the great coverage of many diseases and disorders in canines, this is a well-written and easy to understand book, that goes beyond the basics most dog care books give you, without becoming too technical. My vet actually kept one on hand in his office for quick reference.


A Must-have book for every dog owner   December 18, 1999
 10 out of 10 found this review helpful

Dr. Giffin has done it again with this updated version of his original best-seller. This book clearly explains the symptoms of canine illnesses in a user-friendly, understandable, and organized fashion. No other book compares in terms of its comprehensiveness, readibility, and authority. This book will make an excellent gift for anyone who has a dog.


Peace of mind for all dog owners!   November 7, 1999
 17 out of 17 found this review helpful

This book pays for itself 1000 times over! It gives the dog owner peace of mind and also saves thousands of dollars on costly, unecessary trips to the vet. An excellent source of information!