Customer Reviews

The First Aid Companion for Dogs & Cats

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I like this book because it helps me determine if I should rush my cat to the vet or if I can take care of the problem at home. I'm a panic-er and having this information available without having to sift through thousands of pages on Google is a relief.

Recently we had a problem with our one cat, she's now been diagnosed with FLUTD (urinary tract disease) and this book helped me become aware of what was happening to her before the vet could even tell me with certainty. She needed to go the vet and be put on a special diet, and the book told me to get her to the vet ASAP based off her symptoms, glad I listened to it.

Excellent book and good for quick reference. Has at home medicines that an animal can and cannot take. I would definately recommend this for any animal lover or owner.

This large and handy paperback tells any pet owner what to do in the first critical minutes after discovering an injury or other emergency. The advice is clear, specific and experience-based. The author is a popular writer on pets, and she is supported by expert advisors and the experience of some 80 veterinarians.

Cat owners, incidentally, should not be put off by the fact that the book covers both cats and dogs. This in no way distracts from the coverage of feline problems and, in fact, it broadens the scope and inclusiveness in the portrayal of many conditions and injuries.

Introductory chapters set the stage for the specific remedial actions discussed in the rest of the book. The contents of a first aid kit are spelled out in full, plus there is a list of human medicines and how they should be used (or not used) for cats and dogs. Tests and vital signs for assessing the seriousness of a problem are discussed. Basic first aid techniques are explained including homemade muzzles and restraints; artificial respiration and CPR; cleaning wounds; bandages and splints; transporting an injured animal; and, giving medications. Finally, this preliminary material ends with a 12-page listing of symptoms, setting forth likely or possible causes, and the pages where they are covered.

The bulk of the book contains over 150 sections, alphabetically arranged, ranging from ï¿Abdominal Woundsï¿ to ï¿Worms.ï¿ Each section explains when to call the vet, what supplies or medicines may be needed, what actions to take at once and what follow-up care will be necessary. These sections are direct and to the point. Good drawings illustrate some of the harder-to-describe procedures. Throughout the book, brand names are used whenever appropriate to clarify recommendations.

In many of the problem sections, the basic discussion is supplemented by sidebars or boxes on related subjects. For example, the section on ï¿Gunshot Woundsï¿ contains a sidebar on shotgun wounds. The section on ï¿Urinary Blockageï¿ has a sidebar on bladder stones. The section on ï¿Shockï¿ has a sidebar on blood loss. The ï¿Birthing Problemsï¿ section contains a sidebar on the afterbirth.

All of these extras add an enormous amount of information to the basic advice on how to deal with emergencies. Numerous other recommendations of products or devices are also included, such as:

· A pillowcase to restrain an injured cat
· A soda bottle as a kitten body warmer
· Hemostats for removing foreign objects from a catï¿s mouth
· A Bite-Not collar instead of an Elizabethan collar
· A homemade solution to ï¿de-skunkï¿ a cat
· Plastic wrap for bandaging abdominal wounds, and
· Pumpkin to prevent constipation

All are additional to the basic sections on injuries and conditions, which cover not only such items as car accidents, diarrhea, poisoning and the like, but also such subjects as clothes dryer injuries, limping and smoke inhalation.

This book is a wonderful resource that every cat owner should have at hand. It is a quick helper and is organized accordingly. To top things off, it has a very good 22-page index.

Leigh Curry, for Cat Fanciersï¿ Almanac, March 2003

Ms. Shojai has done a wonderful job in this book--with everything the layperson needs to know when something goes wrong with their four-footed companion.

I've used this book several times and I'm happy to say it's been informative, easy to understand, and downright interesting. I highly recommend it.

I brought this fine book home the same day I won "Colonel" in an all night card game. Colonel is a three year-old gimpy bulldog, but my safety-first nag of a wife was concerned about how he and Bobo (her annoying tabby) would get along. I think she suspects I plan on using the Colonel to finally get rid of Bobo (ridiculous). In order to assuage her fears, I used this excellent book to convince her of my commitment to Bobo's safety.

Amy Shojai has created a useful book much in the same vein as the "Take Care of Yourself" medical books for humans. Nearly 200 "emergency situations" are covered (including the essential 'how to handle bites and scratches') for pets, often with innovative techniques. Even a simple ailurophile like my spouse can follow the instructions provided (the pictures are excellent and helpful as well) and I've become comfortable with the CPR techniques (just in case). Fear not, there is no mouth-to-mouth involved. Additionally, small time injuries and problems are covered as well. But what really makes this book a keeper for me is: Colonel can stay!!!

If you have a dog or cat this is one book you'll be glad you have on the shelf. Shojai has thought of everything when it comes to pet illnesses and injuries. I am really impressed with the wealth of information! It's easy to read, which is important in this sort of book - since the person using it may be under stress at the time, worrying about their sick or injured pal.

As much as we hate to think about it, every owner has to deal with his or her pet's injury or illness. The First Aid Companion for Dogs and Cats can make those times a lot less scary.

What do an ironing board, clingy plastic food wrap and a condom have in common? In an emergency medical situation, all can be pressed into service to help save the life of your pet.

Surprising, innovative and definitely useful, such information makes a new book on first aid for dogs and cats an essential part of every pet lover's reference library...

"The First Aid Companion for Dogs and Cats" is the first book I've seen that makes a pet owner a full member of the team when it comes to saving the life of a pet. Along with the number of the nearest emergency clinic, this book is something every pet lover should keep on hand, just in case.

----PET CONNECTION by Gina Spadafori

"Ever wish you had a vet in the house? This must-have first-aid companion for the furry members of your clan is filled with the combined expertise of more than 100 of the country's best! Now you can handle everything from life-threatening emergencies like car accidents to minor irritations like skunk encouters with ease. And, in the only pet first-aid book to feature follow-up care, you'll learn what to do now--and what to do later--in easy-to-understand language. Also included are chapters on problem prevention, symptom detection, and illustrated step-by-step text for common techniques from administering a pill to performing CPR. Only you can provide the love, but this first-aid companion provides everything else."

Doubleday Book Club, Spring 2001

Amy D. Shojai worked with more than 80 top U.S. veterinarians in compiling this guide to help [pet] owners in emergency situations. Whether your [pet] is injured in an accident or shows signs of an illness, every minute counts. "The First-Aid Companion" prepares you with basic procedures on treatment of wounds, step-by-step CPR, good and bad over-the-counter medications and management of many common and not-so-common conditions. More than 150 injuries and medical conditions are described in this easy-to-follow compilation of important information.

June 2001, Cat Fancy magazine "Newsline"

From the Foreword:

"THE FIRST-AID COMPANION FOR DOGS AND CATS is a comprehensive and easy-to-follow resource to guide you to quick and decisive action when your pet needs it most. In this book, you will find simple remedies for common injuries and ailments, and you will also find advanced methods of dealing with life-threatening problems. Most important, THE FIRST-AID COMPANION FOR DOGS AND CATS will help you distinguish minor problems from major crises and assist you in deciding when to involve your veterinarian. The information has been thoroughly researched and contains up-to-the-minute instructions. The numerous illustrations will help guide you as you follow the directions for your pet's first-aid procedures....I think that, for caring pet owners, THE FIRST-AID COMPANION FOR DOGS AND CATS is indispensable."

Shane Bateman, DVM, DVSc, Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care, professor of emergency and critical care medicine, Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine.