These vets must deal with anything and everything that walks through their doors. I’m not bashing general practice veterinarians. Primary care doctors just don’t perform these types of surgeries enough, so always ask for a specialist.
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Would you allow your primary care doctor to perform open-heart surgery, repair a torn ACL, address complex skin issues or amputate your leg? I think not. While we assume veterinary specialists are outrageously expensive, it’s a fraction of the cost compared to complications that can arise from the inexperience of a general practice vet. One valuable lesson I learned from “Speaking For Spot” is that if your dog’s medical needs are too complex, you should ask your general practice vet for a veterinary referral to a specialist. Also, I would have understood exactly what my vet was saying and been able to have a more in-depth discussion with additional questions and concerns.
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If I had this book 20 years ago, I would have learned how to ask educated questions before surrendering my dog to many unnecessary procedures. This dog book sets itself apart from other dog health books because it actually teaches the pet owner how to act as an advocate for her dog. “Speaking For Spot” is packed with extremely valuable information every dog owner should know. Google is a good source, but it can scare you to death too. This meant thumbing through a thick book. We didn’t have Google back then, so I had to research symptoms, veterinary diagnoses and general health information the old-fashioned way. Many years ago, as a budding pet owner and dog trainer, I had a veterinary reference handbook that I used for just about everything. Speaking For Spot: The Best Health Care Book For You And Your Dog Both of them should be in every dog owner’s library. I can’t recommend these dog health books enough. The other book taught me how to become my dog’s health advocate. I think most pet owners would greatly benefit from reading it. One book is a bit “new age,” but it completely changed my way of thinking pertaining to veterinary care. If you’re looking for meaningful and helpful dog health books for pet owners, then I highly suggest these two options. Two Dog Health Books That Go Above and Beyond Click_and_Photo/iStock