Pets at Risk: From Allergies to Cancer, Remedies for an Unsuspected Epidemic

by Alfred J. Plechner and Martin Zucker

Book Overview

Veterinarians are seeing an explosion of health problems in cats, dogs, and horses -- chronic diseases, immunological illnesses, cancer, and more. Conditions thought to affect only one breed are showing up in others. This illustrated book explores the causes and treatments. During the past 30 years of clinical work, renowned veterinarian Dr. Alfred Plechner has identified a widespread but unrecognized deficiency in the endocrine-immune system of these...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0939165481
• ISBN13: 9780939165483
• Release Date: September 2003
• Publisher: NewSage Press
• Length: 165 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

finally, a concrete diagnosis, and a happy dog

I read this book when my dog was so sick wth chronic ear infections (that were not responding to the typical prescription drugs) that she had to have 2 benadryl every 4 hours--and this is when she was already on a hypoallergenic diet. Three vets said she had food allergies (she did appear to react worse to some foods, and did somewhat better on duck and potato). Two vets said to try an elimination diet. We did, and could hardly add any thing back, as she NEVER seemed to get healthy enough after reacting to a new food to add another food. Well, I read this book in one sitting, and made an appointment immediately with the one vet in our state who is familiar with E & I dogs and Plechner. Our dog tested positive for the disorder--her cortisol levels were less than half than that of a healthy dog. She has only been on the medications for a few days, and she's stopped shaking her head and licking her paws. She's got her old playful attitude back--she hadn't wanted to play her favorite game for a couple of months. The best part is that she will very likely be able to eat well-rounded diet when she's better stabilized. What looked like food allergies was most likely food intolerances caused by her imbalance. Most E & I dogs can eat normal diet unless they have "true" food allergies.I'm in raptures because without this book, my dog would more than likely have struggled all her life with these problems, been treated symptomatically for what was a whole body glandular disorder, and continued to have a poor quality of life. This book is easy to read, compassionate and straightforward. Plechner pulls no punches- the test is expensive, and the medication regimen is usually for life. But he gives countless examples of diseases and symptoms that are often caused by E & I imbalance-- it's amazing and heartening to read that countless problems occur when the animal isn't making enough cortisol, and that these problems are fixable. He gives info technical enough to help any vet treat your animal--even if the vet has never diagnosed an E & I dog before. He sternly explains that E & I treatment won't fix true food allergies---but it will more than likely make symptoms caused by other kinds of allergies disappear. I am buying this book for friends who have chronically sick dogs, and lending my copy out to anyone who is curious. It's well worth the investment. My dog will be the first to agree!

Stresses the responsibilities pet owners face

Veteranrian Alfred J. Plechner (a practicing graduate from the University of California-Davis School of Veterinary Medicine with thirty-five years of clinical work experience), draws upon his years of experience and considerable expertise in Pets At Risk: From Allergies To Cancer, Remedies For An Unsuspected Epidemic spotlights just how endocrine-immune imbalances can cause or exacerbate multiple medical disorders in our beloved animal companions. Offering practical advice for helping imbalanced dogs and cats with supplements; natural remedies for a variety of possible ailments; diet replacement programs, and so much,more, Pets At Risk also stresses the responsibilities pet owners face, as well as exploring the implications these groundbreaking discoveries have for we humans. Pets At Risk is essential, accessible, "reader friendly", and very strongly recommended for personal reading lists and community library Pet Care reference collections and supplemental reading lists.

A 'must read' for pet owners

A friend sent me the Plechner book, "Pets At Risk". It went with me on vacation to Puerto Rico, where I read it cover to cover. There I was by the pool, reading avidly about canine endocrine disorders. This is an absolutely enthralling read for anyone who cares about their pets' health. Vets have significantly improved their abilities to diagnose diseases, but are still grappling with treating the result versus treating the underlying cause. As an owner who has dealt with issues ranging from cancer to skin allergies to Addison's disease, I found Dr. Plechner's observations and insights providing "Aha!" moments. I've already ordered books for each of my vets, in order to discuss whether this treatment could work with some long-term issues in some of our pets.

Cassie sends her thanks to Dr. Al

Good morning Dr. Plechner,Just a note to say thank you. "Cassie", my Irish Setter who brought us together, turned 6 on New Years Eve.If you recall, she became ill with terrible skin allergies at 5 months old. No veterinarian, including Dr. Goldstein, specialists at Virgina Tech or NC State could help. Then I called you. Today she has an excellent EI-1 and takes Transfer Factor Canine Complete by 4-Life Research. She is down to 2mg Medrol a day and .2 Soloxine twice a day."Cassie" is happy and active. We call her the gate keeper as she escorts our other dogs in and out of their play areas.Thank you for all you do. My breeding program will benefit Irish Setters because of your help.Hugs!Arlene D. Pilcer1/8/04

Treating The Immune Problem - Not Just The Symptoms

"Pets at Risk" offers a solution to the root of the problem, a hormonal imbalance that directly effects the immune system. Dr. Plechner treats the actual source of immune dysfunction not just the symptoms of an immune problem (such as allergies). This not only enables the animal's own body to recover from the illness or disease, but wards off future sickness that result from a weakened or sensitive immune system. So many treatments only deal with the symptoms, then the problem returns soon thereafter. Dr. Plechner's treatment offers a solution, for pet's such as my own dog, who did not respond to previous treatments.I read Dr.Plechner's first book "Pet Allergies", and through his help and the help of our veterinarian, my dog lives a healthy life now. A few years ago, I had lost hope after other treatments had not worked to correct my dog Sophia's immune problem; which manifested as allergies, severe skin problems, ear infections, diarreah, and bacterial infections. After learning about Dr. Plechner's treatment to correct the imbalance and restore the immune system, I asked my vet to test Sophia for Endocrine-Immune Imbalance. My vet graciously agreed in order to help my dog get better. There is a very detailed chapter in "Pets at Risk" for veterianians and owners who wish to test (and treat) Endocrine-Immune Imbalance. There is also a chapter for breeders wishing to breed only healthy animals and how they can go about doing so.Dr. Plechner discovered and researched (for three decades) a connection he found among animals with immune disfunction. It involves a common hormonal imbalance, due to a defective adrenal gland, that directly affects the immune system. It can manifest as kidney or liver disease, auto-immune disease, cancer,epilepsy, IBS, arthritis, FIP, FIV, FeLV, urinary disorders, allergies and many other immune diseases. The common thread is a defective adrenal gland hormone that effects the thyroid and Total Estrogen hormones which greatly effects the animal's immune system. He has studied this defect in dogs, cats and horses.My mother's cat had suffered Eosinophilic Granuloma for years. Several vets had tried to help her with common treatments but none of them were successful. My mother's vet contacted Dr. Plechner and he walked her through the steps of the Endocrine-Immune blood test and then through treatment to correct the Endocrine-Immune Imbalance and restore Pumpkin's immune system. Today Pumpkin is a healthy cat with normal hormone and immunoglobulin levels because she was treated for Endocrine-Immune Imbalance. She has not had any lesions since treatment and has been on treatment now for two years.Many of Dr. Plechner's ill patients were referred to him by other veterinarian's as a last resort before euthanasia, a lot of these animals recovered and remained on the treatment for 10 years or more and lived healthy lives. I cannot express how much his work has changed the life of two sick pets in our family and the peop