19 Mar 2010

Book Review and Giveaway: Vet Confidential by Louise Murray, D.V.M.

Posted by Ingrid

Vet Confidential – An Insider’s Guide to Protecting Your Pet’s Health is a must have for every pet parent’s library.  Written by an experienced and highly respected authority in the veterinary world, this book is a comprehensive guide to everything you need to know to ensure high-quality  health care for your furry family members.  

While much progress has been made in veterinary medicine, there is still a wide disparity in the level of care provided for pets, and choosing a veterinarian can be a daunting proposition.   Without knowing what to look for, pet owners may unknowingly wind up with substandard care.  Dr. Murray presents thorough information on a variety of topics, such as

  • how to choose a veterinarian
  • what to look for during your pet’s exam
  • when it’s time to seek a specialist
  • how to make sure your pet is properly monitored and protected during anesthetic procedures
  • proper pain management for your pet
  • the lowdown on vaccinations
  • the growing realm of alternative veterinary medicine
  • the latest pet insurance plans

I was particularly impressed with the chapter on the use and misuse of steroid medications.  This is one of the most notorious issues in the practice of conventional veterinary medicine, and many veterinarians are frustrated by what they feel is a misuse of this drug by some in the profession.  Dr. Murray looks at the issues surrounding steroids one by one, and explains why these drugs need to be used judiciously.

Filled with solid information and a variety of check lists and work sheets to help the reader put the information  in the book to practical use, this book will help pet parents become knowledgeable and effective advocates for their pet’s health.

I’m giving away one copy of this book to one lucky reader.  For a chance to win, please leave a comment telling me why you want to win this book .  For an extra chance to win, tweet about the giveaway or share on Facebook.  This giveaway ends Sunday, April 4.

Louise Murray, D.V.M., is the director of medicine at the ASPCA’s Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital in New York City.  Dr. Murray is a specialist in veterinary internal medicine and has appeared on national and local television, including ABC’s Good Morning America and World News Tonight, CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360 and American Morning, CBS’ The Early Show, and more.  She lives and works in New York City.
 
 

 

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17 Responses to “Book Review and Giveaway: Vet Confidential by Louise Murray, D.V.M.”

  1. This would be a great book for me to have with all my cats. I have a bunch and I foster as well. Volunteering at a local animal shelter always makes me want to learn more about the health of pets.

     

    Sabra Taggart

    March 19th, 2010 at 7:16 ampermalink

  2. Would like to donate a signed copy of your book to the 6th annual Bark & Boogie Ball (as a silent auction item) to help support the Forsyth County Humane Society located in North Georgia. This organization receives no government funding. They are a no kill shelter helping the animals in need in the greater Atlanta area.

    Thank you in advance for considering this request.

    Respectfully yours, Jolyn Barrow

     

    Jolyn Barrow

    March 19th, 2010 at 7:21 ampermalink

  3. Looks like a good “read”. I just bought “Speaking for Spot” because, even though it is a “dog book” I thought it would help me with clients, anticipating their questions and concerns. Same with this book, so I’d love to win it!

     

    Teri and the cats of Furrydance

    March 19th, 2010 at 7:42 ampermalink

  4. Yes we would like a chance to win this book I would like to win the book to get some more information from a veterinarian’s thoughts. I am always open to illnesses etc of my cats and dogs.
    I will put it on Facebook and tweet it too. Thanks so much for this opportunity.

     

    Marg

    March 19th, 2010 at 8:22 ampermalink

  5. Definitely sounds like a “must have” book for cat lovers. Thanks for letting me know about it.

     

    Mason Canyon

    March 19th, 2010 at 9:15 ampermalink

  6. Teri, let me know how you like “Speaking for Spot” – it’s on my TBR list.

     

    Ingrid

    March 19th, 2010 at 9:23 pmpermalink

  7. My daughter would love to have this book. Thanks!

    Bill ;-)

    billsmith2003 (at) gmail (dot) com

    Hope you’ll check out my book giveaway:
    http://drbillsbookbazaar.blogspot.com/2010/03/book-giveaway-reliable-wife.html

     

    Dr. Bill (William L.) Smith

    March 19th, 2010 at 11:56 pmpermalink

  8. I would love a chance to win!
    xx,
    E.J.

     

    E.J. Stevens

    March 20th, 2010 at 11:28 ampermalink

  9. I would love to win this because I have a cat and dog and also volunteer in pet rescue. Right now when I take my pets to the vet I have to blindly trust them. It would be good to have a better understand of what to look for.

    teddyr66 at yahoo dot com

     

    Teddy

    March 20th, 2010 at 8:02 pmpermalink

  10. I would love to have this book I am still new to kitties so any reference book would be great.

     

    Esme

    March 23rd, 2010 at 12:23 ampermalink

  11. cococroissants

    http://consciouscat.net/2010/03/19/book-review-and-giveaway-vet-confidential-by-louise-murray-d-v-m/comment-page-1/#comment-6448

     

    Esme

    March 23rd, 2010 at 12:50 ampermalink

  12. With a house full of senior cats and dogs, a book like that would be a much welcome resource! I’d love to win it! I’ll be tweeting about your contest as well!

     

    Luanne

    April 1st, 2010 at 8:51 pmpermalink

  13. Would enjoy having this book because I am devoted to my fur babies, now and for life…and it’s my mission to make them as happy and healthy as possible! (Tweeting now!)

     

    kristi

    April 3rd, 2010 at 6:09 pmpermalink

  14. This book sounds like a good read for any pet parent, and especially for those with pets with illnesses. I’d like to read it and then pass it on to others.

     

    Alyssa

    April 3rd, 2010 at 6:17 pmpermalink

  15. This would be great for my pets. We have a dog who had 2 surgeries for patellar luxation and a cat who has back issues. It would be nice to have some guidance for them as well as our other dog and cat as they reach their senior years.

     

    kamnel

    April 3rd, 2010 at 6:22 pmpermalink

  16. I would love to win this book as it would save me the money I would need to spend to buy it. I am living with 4 cats, one of which is finally recovering from fatty liver disease and will contend with IBS and thyroid medication for the rest of her life. I feel if I had this book, I might have been able to make better choices to get her recovered faster (and known what to look for so she wouldn’t have relapsed), and will help me in the future with vet visits. Plus I volunteer at our local shelter and would probably donate it to their library (after I have read it at least once) so I could consult it when necessary but others would have access to it as well.
    I will comment on this on my facebook page as well.

     

    Ann Rochelle

    April 3rd, 2010 at 7:22 pmpermalink

  17. I have two cats. There are actually THREE vets who have interacted with my cats. One makes fun of the fact that I use holistic (as well as aopathic) remedies on my cats (and myself!!) — I do not see this vet to often. The other vet, to whom I take my cats more often, is allopathic but is very interested in the holistic treatments I give my cats and has asked me a number of times for printed information. The THIRD vet is allopathic AND holistic and is a SWEETIE!! I REALLY enjoy taking my sweet Cee Cee to this vet, because their love is mutual. “Vet Confidential” would help me to understand how to relate more fully to all three of these vets — all of whom have a different style but the same aim– to treat my cats and keep them healthy.

     

    Azar ATTURA

    April 4th, 2010 at 4:53 pmpermalink

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