does anyone have the name of a good book that will help me learn more about illness and what certain medications do for those illness, something that is a bit more in depth than your average health care for our dog type book?

Have a look at "Veterinary Notes for Dog Owners" edited by Trevor Turner.

thanks ive quickly looked through that at a local shop, i need something a bit more comprehensive?

There is a large choice on Amazon but I think you are far better getting a book on animal husbandry that may cover minor injuries and ailments, such as this one or the one mentioned by JG, as anything more serious really must be diagnosed and treated by a qualified veterinary surgeon.  It is all too easy to read these books and think you understand but with nobody examining you on your knowledge you could get it dreadfully wrong.  There are also laws governing who can treat an animal where suffering may be involved.

yeh, i trust my vet implicitly however i would like to know for example what the pros and cons of a certain way of treating an ailment and what exactly the medication given is doing. also i would generally like to know these types of things.

> i would like to know for example what the pros and cons of a certain way of treating an ailment and what exactly the medication given is doing.

You are best asking your vet as there are generally several factors involved and only your vet will know the full extend as relating to an individual animal.  He will not mind you asking.

>also i would generally like to know these types of things.

Without studying veterinary medicine for several years I am not sure after reading a book you can say that you know that much anyway.

There's this one - but you really need to be qualified to get much use from it.

no you got that wrong the way i said it. i meant i would generally like to know these types of things. there is no harm whatsoever in reading up on matters regarding your dogs health wether they have that illness or condition or not. i believe nobody can know everything. you seem to think isabel i would be  reading this and not contacting my vet, this is strictly not true and you are jumping the gun. i would like to read up and gain knowledge in a more informative way than your average dog owners health care.

> you seem to think isabel i would be reading this and not contacting my vet

You have indicated you would and I believe you I just don't think you are going to gain extra information that you can confident of..... but it's your money :-)

also its good bath material. soak in information whilst soaking in the bath

I have (somewhere!) an excellent little book on all the usual/commonly heard of complaints, parasites, tummy bugs, explaining the diseases commonly vaccinated against and their symptoms etc however IMO the most useful part of it is it has a first aid/emergency section which could be invaluable if something serious occurs so that we know what best to do and, importantly, not to do until professional care is available.  Things like how to stem bleeding, recognise/minimise shock, rescusitate, make vomit OR when not to make vomit (a very grey area for most layfolks!), splint and/or bandage limbs - that sort of stuff

Other than that I'd  imagine a lot of more detailed books could tempt some folks into thinking something was less or more serious than it was rather than having a professional diagnosis (not you but some :) ) and could quickly go out of date as treatments change, new drugs are developed etc and of course unlikely to cover the plethora of breed specific info (perhaps your breed club>s< have something suitable?). 

My worst fear of ME having something too involved is that I'd never be away from the vet with a suspicion that every weird and wonderful complaint known to canines was the underlying problem for any and every minor cough, lump, upset tum etc :-p

A little knowledge is a dangerous thing (dagnabbit the internet is bad enough LOL)

> have (somewhere!) an excellent little book on all the usual/commonly heard of complaints, parasites, tummy bugs, explaining the diseases commonly vaccinated against and their symptoms etc however IMO the most useful part of it is it has a first aid/emergency section which could be invaluable if something serious occurs

is this a bit more average than your average health care book? can you remember the name and author if so please?

I'll have a dig around in the cupboards and get back to you with name and author :)  I don't know if it's more detailed than average as it's the only specific health one I have.

Found it :) 

(I should really have a book on emergency first aid handy LOL)

THIS is the one I was talking about, it's very old because I've had it at least 15 years

I also unearthed 'The Complete Book of the Dog' by Pelham Books London from the same cupboard.  I'd totally forgotten about that one.  It's an A4 size hard back and covers lots of dog info and from a quick glance through the index has a large section on health, diseases, anatomy etc. - another one I'll have had for at least a decade.  Couldn't see it on Amazon though.

HTH Teri

Another ref book I wouldn't be without is 'Blacks Veterinary Dictionary' covers all animals but very useful, amazon have it at a reasonable price.
Chris

ha ha 1988 old amazon sas thanks for looking its price is about 4 so worth having even if im after something more comprehensive.

i dont suppose you know which blacks version is for canines do you tatty ead?

I was quite surprised at how old it looked when I got it out then remembered I last used it almost 14 years ago when a puppy was suspected but not seen to swallow a small natural sponge.  I sat up half the night reading and re-reading how to revive the little critter (E-vet had assured me it sounded unlikely the pup needed treatment) and in the wee small hours the puppy woke up from a deep sleep, stood up - burped up said sponge - and fell sound asleep again :-p

>stood up - burped up said sponge - and fell sound asleep again

ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

how funny. yeh there will alwas be the risk of worrying yourself unnecassarily but on the other hand if you dont feel you know enough you would worry also.
I like reading and having the knowledge to make reasonable decisoins. my vet usually gives me options on how to treat my dog knowing that i am generally opposed to a G.A unless absolutley necassary however i always do leave the end decision with her, as she is the proffessional. i would like to be more knowledgeable in general and if i never need that knowledge great but its nice to know.

They only do 1 version of Blacks, ie 'Worms' covers Cat, Dog, cattle horse etc worms and you just find the section you want but most Vets have a copy somewhere in the office to use as a ref for specifics.
I tend to use it when the vet has diagnosed something and I want more good info (as opposed to something like wikepedia )
Chris

No argument from me there :)  It's very personal how we go about things or what we want to read up on - I just know that with my disposition (right - come on, own up, who immediately thought panic merchant ) it's often best not to be too up to speed!

Feeling sorry for my ickle book now - I like it, now that we've been reunited :-p

ah so it has all those species in the same book? ok was just confused with the horse on the front. thanks

>Feeling sorry for my ickle book now - I like it, now that we've been reunited

i was 9 when that book was published ha ha ha ha

I could try telling you I was 10 ;)

you could try!! would it be true?

Only if I'd had a heck of a hard life :-o

ha ha ha ha

Not a book but this site's a useful one to have in your favourites list. You can look up most of the usual things if you want to find out more, and unlike a book, it doesn't get out of date. Well not that quickly anyway.
It's not a diagnostic tool though :-)

http://www.marvistavet.com/html/the_pet_web_library.html[url=][/url]