Resources Especially for Dog Lovers & Pet Guardians

| Behavior & Training Resources | Canine Disease Registries | Disaster Preparedness | Disease-Specific Information |

 |  Deciding Whether Veterinary Pet Insurance Is Right for You  |

 |Paying for Veterinary Care | Pet Loss & Grief  | Symptom-Specific Information  | Veterinary Reference | 

|  Veterinary Specialty Organizations |  When the Diagnosis is Cancer  |

If you find my website information to be useful,  I encourage you to purchase a copy of Speaking for Spot. It will  provide the fundamental tools and skills you need to make the most of the information and suggestions provided on my website and its associated links.  Speaking for Spot  will help you navigate the expensive and often overwhelming world of veterinary medicine.  You will learn how to effectively hold up your end of the veterinarian/client communication process, solicit explanations of the risks and benefits of all diagnostic and therapeutic options, and have frank discussion about costs. As an informed medical advocate, you will have the ability to make the choice that is best for your pet as well as your own peace of mind. Speaking for Spot  may be the best $14.00 (through Amazon.com) you spend in 2010!  I would love to hear any ways in which Speaking for Spot has helped you and your pets.

Appendix I of Speaking for Spot contains detailed descriptions of a variety of common canine symptoms along with the questions your veterinarian is likely to ask you about them.  

Abdominal distention

Alopecia

Bad breath

Behavior change

Blindness

Blood in the stool

Blood in the urine

Collapse/inability to rise

Cough

Decreased appetite

Decreased stamina

Diarrhea

Discharge from eyes

Flatulence

Hair loss

Halitosis

Inability to rise

Incoordination

Increased appetite

Increased frequency of urination

Increased panting

Increased thirst

Itchy skin

Labored breathing

Lethargy

Limping (lameness)

Loss of balance

Lump/bump

Nasal discharge

Ocular discharge

Pain

Pruritus

Regurgitation

Scooting

Seizure

Sneezing

Straining to have a bowel movement

Straining to urinate

Urination abnormalities

Urine leakage

Vaginal discharge

Vomiting/regurgitation

Weight loss