Why Is Cancer Killing Our Pets?: How You Can Protect and Treat Your Animal Companion

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Summary: A Book That's Needed To Have Been Written for a Long Time
Review: Deborah Straw has addressed a problem that has been plaguiging more and more pet owners daily. This well documented book looks carefully at causes, preventions, treatments and very cautiously at cures for the epidemic of cancer which is devastating our pets today. She covers every aspect of the subject and makes her statements credible with references to the many professionals with whom she has consulted. Straw's understanding of this disease and its ramifications is thorough and comprehensive. She deals with traditional as well as non-traditional aspects of prevention and treatment, leaving out nothing. Thereby, she offers the reader a myriad of choices as well as the power to take charge when that dreaded diagnosis is made. As a pet health care professional and an owner of four dogs who have died of cancer, as well as one who has survived the disease, I found Straw's book enlightening and hopeful. It is a book with which every pet owner should be familiar.

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Summary: A MUST-READ FOR PET LOVERS!
Review: Deborah Straw's book is at once comprehensive and compassionate. She has written it, she tells us, "because animals have enriched my life, and because I see our role regarding animals as that of stewards." The work is rich with interviews, poignant case histories, colorful anecdotes, and plain hard facts. It deals with methods of prevention and the emotional history of animals, as well as with treatments, both conventional and holistic. Our pets are dying from cancer in greater numbers than ever, the author allows: from brain and bone tumors, from melanomas, from head, nose and neck cancers. They have fallen prey to pesticides and pollution, to second hand smoke, to high levels of stress, and to certain toxic vaccines--the author's cat died of a vaccine-induced feline sarcoma. And yet, she insists, "Do not consider a diagnosis of cancer as a death sentence." This beautifully written book is filled with fascinating--and frightening facts. Did you know that Siamese cats are more prone to cancer than other breeds of cats? That indoor pollution levels are much higher than outdoor? That clay-based and clumping cat litters can lead to disease and death? That some rawhide chews contain lead and arsenic? That cats have a lower stress threshold than humans? That many commercial pet foods contain rendered, euthanized pets and rotten meat from supermarket shelves? No wonder our pets are getting cancer! Veterinarians differ, the author notes, in the treatment of cancerous animals, but Straw describes all treatments, in full and specific detail. Do we go with radiation and chemotherapy--or with acupuncture, herbs, and hands-on healing? Whatever you choose, this book will give you new knowledge--and hope. I look now at my fifteen-year-old cat Bennie with fresh eyes. Tomorrow I'll make us both a home cooked meal of turkey with brown rice, squash, and clover sprouts, as one vet recommends. Tonight I'll give my cat companion a warm hug.

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Summary: Good Start, but you'll need to buy additional books
Review: I found the book easy to read and full of facts which served as a basis for me to expand my research. It is one of the better books I have read on dog cancer and alternative treatments. A positive point is that the book was not technical; it was easy to understand. It also provided some good references. However, I feel that the book cannot stand on its own as a guide for treatment or selecting alternative treatments and I was disappointed numerous times.

There were also areas where I felt the author should have included more information. For example, she referenced Vitamin C - rather than providing multiple examples of how Vitamin C saved dogs, I would have preferred some guidance on the various types of Vitamin C so I know which one I should purchase? Calcium Ascorbate, Ascorbic Acid, Ester-C, Sodium Ascorbate? What are the differences?

Another area of disappointment was that there was almost nothing on prednisone. Recently in talking to many folks whose dogs have been diagnosed with cancer, they leave the vet's office with prednisone when chemo is rejected as an alternative. The book was not helpful in this area at all. I am no wiser than before I read the book.

Above are just two of many examples where I felt the book did not contain sufficient information.

I began to question the accuracy of information in the book when I came to the section on chiropratics. I am familiar with chiropractics and was disappointed that she used incorrect terminology, did not seem to have her facts correct and referenced negative examples only. If she was not an advocate of chiropractics or was not familiar with the topic, she should have written nothing rather than to print inaccurate information.

I'm glad I bought and read the book; but I'm also glad it was not very expensive because I had to buy other books to fill in the gaps of missing information, as I cited above. I plan recommend the book to friends who have dogs with cancer. Although it is not an outstanding book, it is better than most I have read.

Rating:
Summary: Good Start, but you'll need to buy additional books
Review: I found the book easy to read and full of facts which served as a basis for me to expand my research. It is one of the better books I have read on dog cancer and alternative treatments. A positive point is that the book was not technical; it was easy to understand. It also provided some good references. However, I feel that the book cannot stand on its own as a guide for treatment or selecting alternative treatments and I was disappointed numerous times.

There were also areas where I felt the author should have included more information. For example, she referenced Vitamin C - rather than providing multiple examples of how Vitamin C saved dogs, I would have preferred some guidance on the various types of Vitamin C so I know which one I should purchase? Calcium Ascorbate, Ascorbic Acid, Ester-C, Sodium Ascorbate? What are the differences?

Another area of disappointment was that there was almost nothing on prednisone. Recently in talking to many folks whose dogs have been diagnosed with cancer, they leave the vet's office with prednisone when chemo is rejected as an alternative. The book was not helpful in this area at all. I am no wiser than before I read the book.

Above are just two of many examples where I felt the book did not contain sufficient information.

I began to question the accuracy of information in the book when I came to the section on chiropratics. I am familiar with chiropractics and was disappointed that she used incorrect terminology, did not seem to have her facts correct and referenced negative examples only. If she was not an advocate of chiropractics or was not familiar with the topic, she should have written nothing rather than to print inaccurate information.

I'm glad I bought and read the book; but I'm also glad it was not very expensive because I had to buy other books to fill in the gaps of missing information, as I cited above. I plan recommend the book to friends who have dogs with cancer. Although it is not an outstanding book, it is better than most I have read.

Rating:
Summary: Why is Cancer Killing Our Pets?: How You Can Protect and Tre
Review: I recently discovered my beloved Rottie has cancer and this book helped me learn of the many options out there for treatment and how much of a problem companion animal cancer is becoming. It helped me center myself and get a better idea of the directions I could go. This book also helped me understand what to do from here on out, to help all my companion animals so that they live a healthy life. It explained the importance of a good, not overly processed diet. I am a board member of an animal protection organzation and have had dogs my entire life, and even with that I learned so much more from this book. If you love your animals read this book for them, it could change their lives and yours!!!

Rating:
Summary: Why is Cancer Killing Our Pets?: How You Can Protect and Tre
Review: I recently discovered my beloved Rottie has cancer and this book helped me learn of the many options out there for treatment and how much of a problem companion animal cancer is becoming. It helped me center myself and get a better idea of the directions I could go. This book also helped me understand what to do from here on out, to help all my companion animals so that they live a healthy life. It explained the importance of a good, not overly processed diet. I am a board member of an animal protection organzation and have had dogs my entire life, and even with that I learned so much more from this book. If you love your animals read this book for them, it could change their lives and yours!!!

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Summary: Important Book for all Pet Owners
Review: I recommend that all pet owners should read this book in order to do all they can to protect their loved furry ones from preventable cancer. However, I did find that some of the information in the book was more speculative than fact, so it is necessary to do some additional research on some topics before drastically changing your pet's lifestyle.

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Summary: The Best Book on Cancer in Pets
Review: I've had a cat with cancer for the past 15 months, so I've been reading everything I can get my hands on. This book not only talks about the diease itself, but covers all related topics--causes, nutritional support, insurance, and the loss. I especially like the sections on alternative care, which I believe can be as effective as any conventional treatment. Straw's resources are excellent, too, and she provides lots of fuel for further research. It's the only book of its kind, one you should add to your library even if your pet doesn't have cancer.

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Summary: An essential book for all concerned about their pet's health
Review: This book is a breakthrough - it is truly exceptional, both in terms of its content and in the warm, easy-to-follow way it is written. It is the best-written book on dealing with pet medical issues that I have ever personally seen or read. It's informative, excellently-researched and packed with great preventative tips, warning signs and statistics which put cancer into perspective for pet-owners. A great gift for any pet-loving friend or family member, and a great resource book to have on hand to help you keep your pets safe healthy and as protected as humanly possible.