New Release! Decoding Dog Health Speak

Practical. Accessible. Story-driven.

From the award-winning author of Symptoms to Watch for in Your Dog—recipient of the Maxwell Award from the Dog Writers Association of America and the Morris Animal Foundation Canine Health Award—comes the second volume in the Owner-to-Owner Dog Health Care series: Decoding Dog Health Speak: How to See and Think About Your Dog’s Symptoms—Illustrated by Real-Life Stories

Decoding Dog Health Speak: How to See and Think About Your Dog’s Symptoms

The second book in the series picks up where Symptoms to Watch for in Your Dog left off, looking at the topic through real-life scenarios.

No two cases are the same. One dog’s minor health hiccup might appear identical to a condition demanding urgent care in another. Consider the context. Severity. Other symptoms. How quickly it came on. How long it has lasted. And whether it’s getting better—or worse.

Decoding Dog Health Speak book cover

Easy to follow case studies

We are all vulnerable to experience bias—it’s easy to fall into the assumption trap. That’s where Decoding Dog Health Speak comes in.  It lets you benefit from the experience of fellow dog parents—68 real-life stories in all.

Instinct is the sum of past experiences. This book allows you to draw from a deeper well.

Decoding Dog Health Speak: GI Foreign Body example story spread

This book includes case studies covering most common symptoms:

  • Vomiting
  • Regurgitation
  • Nonproductive retching
  • Diarrhea
  • Straining to defecate
  • Appetite changes (loss or excessive hunger)
  • Pica (eating non-food items)
  • Excessive drinking
  • Urination and urinary accidents
  • Straining to urinate
  • Panting
  • Seizures
  • Drooling
  • Lethargy or weakness
  • Gum color changes
  • Heart disease signs
  • Headshaking
  • Lumps and bumps
  • Nosebleeds
  • Coughing
  • Head tilting
  • Bad odor
  • Excessive licking
  • Shaking or trembling
  • Ataxia, drunken gait, or loss of coordination
  • Changes in behavior

Whether you’re a new dog parent or have years of experience, this book will broaden your thinking and put you on steady footing. Equip yourself to spot the differences and advocate for your dog’s health.

Table of contents spread, organized by symptom; listing different health problems that manifested in a similar way. 68 Real-life stories
Section introduction with quick prompts to help you think before reading—and reassess what you know after
Each section explores one symptom and the health conditions behind it

Decoding Dog Health Speak belongs on every dog parent’s bookshelf

Every dog parent needs this book. Jana provides you with the confidence to examine your dog’s symptoms with clear eyes and a calm plan. Real-life case stories bring the medicine to life and help you recognize patterns you might otherwise miss.

Thorough, compassionate, and remarkably easy to use, this is the dog health book we’ve all been waiting for. Decoding Dog Health Speak belongs on every dog parent’s bookshelf – and on the kitchen counter, in the car, and in your tote bag. If you love a dog, you’ll love the peace of mind this book delivers.

— Dr. Shelby Neely, VMD

Call to action; Amazon link to purchase the book
What is Decoding Dog Health Speak about?

It’s a practical guide that teaches dog owners how to interpret symptoms through real-life case stories. It helps you understand what symptoms mean and when a vet visit is necessary.

Is this book suitable for new dog owners?

Yes. The book is written in everyday language with clear examples, making it easy for new dog owners to recognize changes in their dog’s health early.

Does the book cover multiple symptoms?

Yes. The book includes case studies covering dozens of common symptoms, such as vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, head tilting, panting, seizures, and more.

Can this book replace a veterinarian?

No. The book is designed to help you understand what you’re seeing, communicate more clearly with your veterinarian, and make earlier, more informed decisions.

Categories: Dog health advocacy

Jana Rade

I am a graphic designer, dog health advocate, writer, and author. Jasmine, the Rottweiler of my life, was the largest female from her litter. We thought we were getting a healthy dog. Getting a puppy from a backyard breeder was our first mistake. Countless veterinary visits without a diagnosis or useful treatment later, I realized that I had to take Jasmine's health care in my own hands. I learned the hard way that merely seeing a vet is not always enough. There is more to finding a good vet than finding the closest clinic down the street. And, sadly, there is more to advocating for your dog's health than visiting a veterinarian. It should be enough, but it often is not. With Jasmine, it took five years to get a diagnosis. Unfortunately, other problems had snowballed for that in the meantime. Jasmine's health challenges became a crash course in understanding dog health issues and how to go about getting a proper diagnosis and treatment. I had to learn, and I had to learn fast. Helping others through my challenges and experience has become my mission and Jasmine's legacy. I now try to help people how to recognize and understand signs of illness in their dogs, how to work with their veterinarian, and when to seek a second opinion. My goal is to save others the steep curve of having to learn things the hard way as I did. That is the mission behind my blog and behind my writing. That is why I wrote Symptoms to Watch for in Your Dog, which has turned out being an award-winning guide to dog owners. What I'm trying to share encompasses 20 years of experience.

14 Comments
  1. Tiffany Smith 25/11 – 11:32 am

    Congratulations on the newest book! I love anything that helps dog parents and vets work and communicate better for the sake of the animals. Vets have their work cut out because just like you talk about in your book, one symptom could mean a ton of other things

    Reply
  2. FiveSibesMom 25/11 – 12:15 pm

    Congratulations, Jana! I’m sure this book will be such a helpful tool to so many pet parents…especially ones new to any type of dog illnesses. Wishing you much success!

    Reply
  3. Cathy Armato 25/11 – 1:42 pm

    What a great resource! Trying to make heads or tails of your dog’s symptoms is not easy, so many symptoms present for multiple issues.

    Reply
  4. Ruth Epstein 25/11 – 2:11 am

    Congratulations, I have always loved the information you shared on your blog so putting it all in a book is a must have for all pet parents.

    Reply
    • Jana Rade 25/11 – 12:55 pm

      Thank you, Ruth. I got the inspiration while preparing for the Dog Health Summit. And yes, it’s the posts, curated and organized for the reader’s best benefit.

      Reply
  5. Marjorie Dawson 25/11 – 6:44 pm

    This is a must have for any dog owner. Knowledge is power and allows a dog parent to understand what is happening. I am sharing this a LOT with my dog friends.

    Reply
  6. hbethp 25/11 – 2:58 pm

    Congratulations on the new book! It certainly sounds like an important one every dog parent should have. Too often symptoms are ignored or just missed, so having actual case studies covering so many issues will be a great help I’m sure.

    Reply
    • Jana Rade 25/11 – 4:58 pm

      Thank you. Most importantly, it illustrates how the same symptom can mean different things. Do grab a copy and let me know what you think.

      Reply
  7. Terri 25/11 – 2:14 pm

    This seems like a great book for any dog parent. I love that you cover multiple issues, which is often the case. Congrats on this new book, Jana! I hope it’s a great success for you!

    Reply

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