Dr. Robert L. Ridgway - How to Treat Your Dogs and Cats with Over-the-Counter Drugs

This book contains descriptions of medical conditions and over-the- counter treatments for diseases such as hookworms, bad breath, loose stools, red mange (Demodex mange), heartworm, scabies, choking, skunk spray, impacted anal glands, fleas, and many others that are found in dogs and cats that can be treated with over-the-counter drugs. This book is a result of my many years as a veterinarian and being asked many questions, such as, How can I? Where can I? and Is there something I can do?

The majority of pet health issues are due to owner neglect. This book is designed to teach owners the art of preventive medicine in their own homes. During my years practicing veterinary medicine, I have noted that folks are desperate to help their dogs or cats but do not have the financial means or inclination to provide for a trip to see a veterinarian. Furthermore, many have attempted to treat their dogs or cats with over-the-counter medication but have had no clue as to the dose, frequency, or number of treatments necessary to heal the condition. Unfortunately, some have thought that if a little over-the-counter drug is good, then a bunch more should be even better. This is a big mistake. Overdosing has resulted in many a dog or cat being treated for toxicityor even being killedas a result of its owners attempts to aid it.

This book recognizes that your ability to diagnose a condition may, in fact, be in the twilight zone. However, you certainly can recognize hair loss, pale gums, loose stools, poor breath, and perhaps may have even seen those lovely critters called worms coming from your dog or cat. This book will aid you by providing descriptions of the conditions and possible over-the-counter medications that will hopefully resolve the condition you recognize as needing to be treated. This is not a first-aid book; if the condition cannot be treated with an over-the-counter drug or home remedy, it is not included. I have violated this rule a few times because I have received so many questions about some condition. I have mentioned them, but have indicated thatin my professional judgmentyou cannot adequately diagnose and treat the condition safely or there are no over-the-counter medications that will treat the condition.

I am excited that you have purchased this book, and I look forward to hearing how you were able to overcome the health conditions in your pet. The main issue you will have is deciding what your pet has in order to properly treat the condition. Sometimes the obvious is not so obvious, and your experience in deciding what disease process is present may not be quite up to par. However, even if you happen to mistreat your pet with any medication in this book with the indicated dosages within this book, then there should not be any real issuesother than the condition you treat may not improve. You certainly always have the best option available to you and that is to take your pet to see your favorite veterinarian; he or she will be most happy to assist you with your pets health issues. We strongly recommend that you take your pet to see the veterinarian. Obviously, your use of the enclosed information is your own voluntary decision on the behalf of your pet. If you happen to be wrong and cause injury to your pet due to a misdiagnosis of the condition, an overdose with over-the-counter medicine, or any other type of improper treatment, neither the publishing company nor the author bears any responsibility for your decisions or actions.

We hope that this book will help to aid in better decision- making, dosing, and proper medication selection by you. The book provides guidelines only; no one but you is involved in the decision- making process of what you do for your pet. Alas, you stand alone. Here is to the health of your pet and to you for taking great care for your pet.