VSPN Review by Lori Martindale, BS (Click on stars for an explanation)

Written to give pet owners a guide to helping their pets through their battle with cancer, no matter what treatment choices they have made, this book features the survival story of her husky, Bullet, and outlines the different treatments she used to assist Bullet in his continuing fight against cancer. It explains diagnostic testing and treatment options, both traditional and holistic and discusses chemotherapy protocols and their side effects.

The author also gives an overview of supplements and alternative therapies that can be used alone or along with traditional treatment. There is a full color guide to a proven cancer survival diet along with suggestions for other feeding options. The book embraces a treatment which combines western and eastern modalities and stresses the importance of owner - veterinarian communication.

Ms. Kaplan relates to the reader her trials and tribulations of dealing with a dog with cancer and shows the reader the importance of communicating with your veterinarian and having a “team approach” to medical care by using all the resources you have at your disposal, including your DVM, specialists, books, and the internet.

Giving the reader an excellent list of internet resources that include information sites and e-groups, Ms. Kaplan also sites references for information found in each chapter of her book, as well as a suggested reading list. In addition, a portion of the proceeds generated from the sale of Help Your Dog Fight Cancer will be donated to a charitable organization to help dogs fight cancer.

This is an excellent book for owners of dogs with cancer. It also gives the veterinary staff a look into the life of someone dealing with cancer, allowing us to relate to them better. While I love that she embraced the usage of alternative therapies and supplements, I am concerned that pet owners will read this book and use supplements without also following her instruction to seek veterinary advice before adding supplements to their pet's regimen. However, as a whole, this is an excellent book for veterinary staff to suggest to pet owners and would act as an excellent information guide and source of discussion between the staff and pet owner. This is an excellent resource for veterinarians to have for their pet owners during a difficult time. Receiving this book through a veterinarian would allow the pet owner to consult their veterinarian about supplementation and other regimens discussed in the book. It would also be an excellent book for staff members who are uninformed about cancer treatment.

Published by JanGen Press, Briarcliff, NY, USA (copyright 2004). ISBN: 9780975479469.