Twenty years ago, an evolution and a revolution began in what was known about dog care and health. People were taking more interest in their own health and nutrition, and they had the same interest in seeing their dogs live longer, healthier lives. After all, dogs are our best friends. Advances in veterinary medicine and canine nutrition helped move this trend along. Today, our dogs live longer than ever, and we know much more about taking good care of them than we ever have.
In fact, veterinary medicine has been transformed. Pet medicine is at a level undreamed of just twenty years ago, thanks to advances and changes in anesthesia, pain management, surgical techniques and tools, dental care, nutrition, parasite control, cancer treatment, diagnostic techniques and equipment, vaccination protocols, and the advent of specialist care. Our dogs today have access to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology, computed tomography (CT, or cat) scans, orthodontics such as braces to correct malformed bites, and cryotherapy, chemotherapy, and radiation to treat cancer.
One of your most important tasks as a dog owner is to keep your pet healthy. Working with your veterinarian you can help to ensure your dog lives a long, happy life, and you can work toward preventing health problems before they begin.
Knowing your dog's habits is a good place to start. When you know his normal eating, play, and exercise routines, recognizing a problem is easier. Any change in your dog's normal routine may indicate a problem and should sound an alarm for you to keep a close eye on him.
A healthy diet, a solid exercise routine, and lots of love and play will help your dog grow happy and healthy. On top of that, regular trips to your veterinarian for preventive and maintenance health care will help keep him in top shape.
Besides introducing you to what's new in veterinary medicine, The Everything® Dog Health Book will help you understand your dog's anatomy, health needs, nutritional requirements, and more. You can refer to it throughout his life, from puppyhood through old age. In it, you'll find answers to your questions about illnesses and injuries that can affect your dog, what to do for them, and ways to keep him safe and sound. Our goal in writing this book is to help you take the best possible care of your dog so that the two of you will share a long, lasting, and loving relationship.