"Speaking for Spot" by Dr. Nancy Kay

[k9diabetes]

Naturally, I know Chris' saga best... but he's just one of a hundred dogs, maybe more, that I've seen over six years whose lives have been transformed and sometimes just plain saved by their human caretakers stepping up, often well beyond their comfort zones, to advocate for their dogs' health.

I had to do it before I read Nancy Kay's book, Speaking for Spot.

If only for the permission to be assertive, I wish I had read it before Chris was diagnosed with diabetes. I wouldn't have felt like a "bad client."

Speaking for Spot was a labor of love for Dr. Nancy Kay, fueled by her passion to teach people how to be effective medical advocates for their four-legged best friends. Gone are the days of simply following doc’s orders-today’s dog lovers are confronted with health-care decision-making on many levels. . . . With warmth, candor, and humor cultivated over 20-plus years of working with dogs and their human companions Dr. Kay provides an insider’s guide to navigating the potentially overwhelming, confusing, and expensive world of veterinary medicine.

We become, through our dogs' diabetes, incredible observers of our dogs. We know what the dry nose, the red eyes, the rapid breathing, or the edgy hunger means. And, I think, those skills carry on to other dogs as well. I know that I wouldn't pay the kind of attention I pay to Jack or work with his veterinarian the way I do if I hadn't lived with Chris for those five years of his diabetes.

I think it's a great book and I hope that more people will read it before their dogs are diagnosed with diabetes.

Also, I recommend a recent series on Dr. Kay's blog about "reasonable expectations" when it comes to interacting with vet clinics and staff.

http://speakingforspot.com/blog/

Natalie

[peggy0]

Re: "Speaking for Spot" by Dr. Nancy Kay

I've read this book and loved it. I too wish i had read it long ago

[LilyBell]

Re: "Speaking for Spot" by Dr. Nancy Kay

Looks like a must read! There is so much I wish I would have know before diagnosis. I had a vet that I had used and liked for 10 years, but he didn't know a thing about diabetes. He prescribed 21 units of vetsulin once a day for Lily who was only 40lbs at that time. He almost killed her. The only good thing to come of all of that is my daughter's desire to become a vet. She has seen first hand what a difference a good vet can make and someday she will be an awesome one!!

[Patty]

Re: "Speaking for Spot" by Dr. Nancy Kay

He prescribed 21 units of vetsulin once a day for Lily who was only 40lbs at that time. He almost killed her. Yikes, Tricia!!!

The only good thing to come of all of that is my daughter's desire to become a vet. She has seen first hand what a difference a good vet can make and someday she will be an awesome one!! That's fantastic!

[eileen]

Re: "Speaking for Spot" by Dr. Nancy Kay

Fantastic book!

I was given a copy as a present when it first hit the shelves. A must read for every pet owner.

Thanks for bringing it to the attention of the forum, Natalie.

[k9diabetes]

Re: "Speaking for Spot" by Dr. Nancy Kay

My wish is that everybody who has a dog would read it before their dog is diagnosed with diabetes or Cushing's disease. I was telling Dr. Kay recently that I'd like to see this book showcased at places where pet people gather (though it's geared to dogs, it applies to any animal we care for) like Petco and PetsMart so they would see it and maybe read it before they need the skills it would give them.

They need the book but don't know it yet!

Chris' challenges with diabetes changed me as a pet caretaker and Jack, Gus, and Katie have benefitted from what I learned with him.

Natalie

[Margaret Boyle]

Re: "Speaking for Spot" by Dr. Nancy Kay

My wish is that everybody who has a dog would read it before their dog is diagnosed with diabetes or Cushing's disease. I was telling Dr. Kay recently that I'd like to see this book showcased at places where pet people gather (though it's geared to dogs, it applies to any animal we care for) like Petco and PetsMart so they would see it and maybe read it before they need the skills it would give them.

They need the book but don't know it yet!

Chris' challenges with diabetes changed me as a pet caretaker and Jack, Gus, and Katie have benefitted from what I learned with him.

Natalie

Just bought the book last week........really good book.

Marg

[pgcor]

Re: "Speaking for Spot" by Dr. Nancy Kay

I just received the book this week from Amazon and have started to read it! I plan on passing it along as soon as I'm done. However, I have to have it back as I can't remember anything!