Almost Perfect Pets

Lowell Ackerman is a veterinary specialist, a recognized global expert on pet health care, and a frequent author and lecturer on health care topics. He has authored or co-authored several books, and has lectured extensively on a global basis, on topics in both health care and management. He lives in New England. Rebecca Ackerman graduated from college with a dual major of psychology and sociology and then pursued graduate studies in psychology, graduating with a Masters degree. She lives in New England.

Table of Contents


Authors’ Note

Preface

1. Path to an Almost Perfect Pet

Why Own a Pet in the First Place? 4 delete• deleteThe Concept of Pet Ownership 5 delete• deletePlanning for Success 8 delete• deleteEach ­­Pet-Owner Relationship Is Unique 11 delete• delete­­Pet-Specific Care 12 delete• deletePutting It All Together 15 delete• deleteCase Example 17

2. Appropriate Pet Selection: A Companion for Life

Acquiring a Pet: Check First Before Ever Selecting a Pet 19 delete• deletePet-Proofing Your Living Space 20 delete• deleteOther Considerations 23 delete• deleteThe Selection Process 26 delete• deleteSo Many Choices 28 delete• deleteSources of Pets 30 delete• deleteNext Steps 33 delete• deleteCase Example 36

3. Purebreds, Mixed Breeds and Everything in Between

Purebreds 38 delete• deleteHybrids 41 delete• deleteMixed Breeds 42 delete• deleteHybrid Vigor: Is It Real? 47 delete• deleteThe Big Picture 49 delete• deleteFinal Thoughts 52 delete• deleteCase Example 52

4. Personalizing Health Care for Pets (­­Pet-Specific Care)

Why Embrace a New Approach? 57 delete• deleteMaintenance Schedules 61 delete• deletePlaying Detective 62 delete• deletePredisposition to Disease 65 delete• deleteFamily History 68 delete• deleteHorses and Zebras 71 delete• deletePersonalizing Cost of Care 71 delete• deleteLetting Go 72 delete• deleteCase Example 75

5. Pet Health Care Delivery in an On-Demand World

The Veterinary Team 78 delete• deleteTelehealth 81 delete• deleteRemote Monitoring 85 delete• deletePet Portals 87 delete• deleteBlockchain 88 delete• deleteCase Example 91

6. Prevention: The Best Medicine

Controlling the Situation 93 delete• deleteControlling Infectious Diseases 96 delete• deleteParasite Control 99 delete• deleteExercise and Weight Management 102 delete• deleteOral Care 104 delete• deleteStart with Healthy Stock 105 delete• deleteIdentification 107 delete• deleteBody Modification 108 delete• deleteCase Example 110

7. Why Early-Detection Strategies Make Sense

Genetic Testing 115 delete• deleteOrthopedic Screening 120 delete• deleteSpecialist Evaluation 122 delete• deleteOther Testing 122 delete• deleteDo We Need to Test for Everything? 125 delete• deleteCase Example 126 delete• deleteCase Example 127

8. The Changing Nature of Pet Medications

New Types of Medications 129 delete• deleteBuying Medications 131 delete• deleteVeterinary Medications Versus Human Medications 133 delete• deleteGenerics and Biosimilars 134 delete• deleteCompliance and Adherence 135 delete• deleteDrug Resistance 137 delete• deleteNutritional Therapeutics 139 delete• deleteCannabinoids 141 delete• deleteCase Example 142

9. Nutritional Considerations

Basic Pet Nutrition 144 delete• deleteCommercial Pet Foods 147 delete• deleteHomemade Diets 152 delete• deleteRaw Food Diets 154 delete• deleteSustainability 156 delete• deleteOvernutrition 156 delete• deleteCase Example 158

10. Mindfulness and Pet Care: Promoting Positive Pet Mental Health

Mindfulness 161 delete• deleteStress and Anxiety in Pets 162 delete• deleteReward and Punishment 164 delete• deleteToilet Training 166 delete• deleteSocialization and Habituation 168 delete• deleteAlmost Perfect Meets Fear Free® 169 delete• deleteEnvironmental Enrichment 170 delete• deleteAnimal Welfare 173 delete• deleteCase Example 173

11. Pet Parenting

Parenting Styles 179 delete• deleteSocial Creatures: Dogs 181 delete• deleteSocial Creatures: Cats 184 delete• deleteSucceeding Together 188 delete• deleteCase Example 189

12. Pet Health Care Affordability

Pet Health Insurance 196 delete• deletePayment and Wellness Plans 201 delete• deleteOther Options 202 delete• deleteIncremental Care 204 delete• deleteTill Death Do Us Part 205 delete• deleteCase Example 207

Index