Handbook of Poisoning in Dogs and Cats

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Summary: Poisoning in Dogs and Cats by Campbell and Chapman
Review: Poisoning in Dogs and Cats

This book is based on approximately 15,000 requests for information made to the Veterinary Poisons Information Service(VPIS) in London, England and the appropriate clinical replies made thereto. It is intended for a veterinary professional however is written so that anyone can benefit from it, with occasional reference to a medical dictionary. It is important to note that the majority of useful information relates to a substance a cat or dog is known to have ingested. Thus, if you suspect your pet has ingested a toxic dose of something it is imperative you figure out what that something was. Forget the television and movie presentations of "we'll send the blood to the lab" (to discover the toxin). By the time a few months have passed by your pet will have been deceased a few months. Some hints can be culled from the symptoms associated with various poisons however one it would take a while to go through all the poisons to ID by symptom.

Reading this book should give you an idea of what substances to consider while trying to determine a possible poison. Some poisons are more specific to England such as "Yew Tree" (remember those English longbows from Robin Hood? Yew Trees) or a bite from an "adder", a snake not native to our soil. Other poisons common to the USA are ignored such as rattlesnake, brown recluse spider, black widow spiders, etc. There is an insufficient reference to plants. Among some things that should be there are: English Ivy is said to be toxic to cats but not dogs; oleander and castor beans are lethal to most mammals. Also missing are anything resembling a picture, drawing or diagram. But this lack simply adds to the dry British style. All in all this is an excellent book for someone whose best friend is a dog or cat. This should help fill in some gaps on how to best watch over and take care of you dog and/or cat friend.

GIFT SUGGESTION: If you are looking for a gift for a Veterinarian or veterinary professional this is probably something very few of them would have already obtained for themselves. Veterinary professional are overwhelmingly optimistic and cheerful people. They seldom seem to associate the words "poison" and "pet" unless the pet owner brings it to their attention. My many contacts with these very fine folks is that they have only a very limited grasp of poisoning in dogs and cats. This book would go a long way in "bringing them up to speed". If your gift to the veterinary profession saves one dog or cat you will not have lived your life in vain.

WARNING: In the off chance a fiend who seeks to poison a dog or cat is looking for a "how to" book I would strongly suggest you pass up on this book and spend your fiendish money on psychotherapy. Should someone poison a pet and purchase of this book is discovered by the authorities that would constitute "specific intent" and would thus mean being sent to a dreadful place (prison) for years where dreadful people would do very nasty things to you for all the years, days and moments of your sentence.