Veterinary advice on Hip Dysplasia in Dogs
Click on the cover above to go to this book at Amazon.co.uk
Hip dysplasia is sadly a common condition that most dog lovers have at least heard of, if not lived with. This book is aimed at pet owners who may be either living with a dog who is already suffering from the symptoms of hip dysplasia or researching breeds that are particularly prone to this condition.
Each stage of hip dysplasia is clearly explained, with clearly drawn diagrams and x-rays. More complicated medical terms are spelt out for the reader within the context of the sentences where they appear, and you are guided through from the understanding of how a healthy hip should work; how hip dysplasia affects the joints; possible causes and contributing factors; diagnosis and treatments; and finally the author looks forward to prevention and control of the disease in future generations. Although all medical names and terms are well-explained as they appear, I still felt that for a ‘medical book’ aimed at owners of pet dogs, a glossary at the back of the book would have been useful. On a few occasions when they reappeared, I had to stop and remember what the some of the words meant, and I could have found them faster with a glossary.
Of course, if you suspect your dog might have this condition your first port of call should be to your own veterinary surgeon for diagnosis and advice specific to your own dog’s needs, but this book fills in all the little gaps, answering questions about why your dog might need a particular type of treatment, questions your own vet might not have time to answer. It can also help you ask the right questions when you go back to your vet, and it can help you understand what your vet needs.
Quite often, when we first hear a sad diagnosis we are too shocked to take in what a doctor or vet is saying, so it can help to go back and listen to the vet again, when we have had time to reflect and find out more from sources such as this book.
As a reader with first hand experience of a dog who suffered with hip dysplasia, I personally feel that this book is an invaluable resource and would strongly recommend it – I only wish it had been available when I was in the position of making difficult decisions for my dog.
