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

Cancer is now the number one killer of most domestic animals. This fact raises a fearsome specter for those who know how confusing and painful it can be to endure the course of this disease in their pets. Having lost four animal companions to cancer, author Deborah Straw became frustrated by the lack of concrete knowledge about the causes, prevention, and treatment of cancer in pets. This thorough and comprehensive guide to every aspect of the disease in animals is the result of her search for answers.

Readers will discover the many environmental, dietetic, and vaccine-related culprits that may cause cancer in pets, and they'll learn preventive measures that can be taken to safeguard their pets' well-being. Should your animal's diagnosis be confirmed, the full spectrum of both conventional and alternative treatments is presented, from chemotherapy and laser surgery to herbal therapy, acupuncture, and touch therapy. Readers will find information about both caring for a sick animal and grieving its loss. Full of knowledge, options, and support, this is an essential resource for protecting your pet.

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.


Important Book for all Pet Owners   February 15, 2002
Liz Henderson (Atlanta, GA)
3 out of 4 found this review helpful

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.


Why is Cancer Killing Our Pets?: How You Can Protect and Tre   June 18, 2001
Mel Bailey (Burlington, VT)
9 out of 9 found this review helpful

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!!!


A Book That's Needed To Have Been Written for a Long Time   February 13, 2001
Marilyn G. Putz (Highland Park, IL USA)
19 out of 19 found this review helpful

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.


The Best Book on Cancer in Pets   December 29, 2000
Sally E. Bahner (Branford, CT USA)
9 out of 9 found this review helpful

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.