Check out this fabulous resource for Australian dog owners (your veterinary clients!).
We asked the author of First Call For Dogs, Dr Alex Hynes, what her book is all about and how she hopes it will help pet owners.
1. Tell us what the book is all about?
It’s about the most common emergency situations I see with dogs in the hospital but presented in a really simple, practical and informative way.
There are 22 chapters in total – I talk owners through vital information on SYMPTOMS, CAUSES, SUPPORT and TREATMENT on topics including collapse, diarrhoea, heat stroke, bites and stings, dog fights, trauma, vomiting and seizures.
Plus, I share a life-saving guide on how to perform CPR on dogs and give a detailed list of what foods and household items are toxic to dogs. These are the questions that pet owners often ask me about in order to keep their pet as safe as possible and be prepared in the event of an emergency.
Plus there are loads of cute dog photos – some of our favourite patients!
2. What made you decide to write a book
It’s something I have wanted to do for a long time. My mission has always been to help pet owners – to educate and inform them based on my experience. As a dog owner and emergency vet, I have seen first-hand just what trouble our canine friends get into! Whilst some illnesses and situations are avoidable, being able to act with a confidence that comes with knowledge can be vital in those first minutes. I’ve had an incredibly positive response online through offering advice on social media, interviews and blogs that I thought creating a book with all the information in one place would help owners enormously.
3. What’s the goal of the book – what do you hope to achieve from it?
Similar to above really – to inform and educate owners so that they can act with knowledge in an emergency. In the majority of these situations, you are going to need veterinary help for your dog and the book certainly doesn’t replace that. What my book does is give prevention advice, tips and guidance on a variety of conditions – many being life threatening – and what to do in those first few minutes or even longer which could really make a difference. If my book helps an owner to be calm in an emergency situation, respond with knowledge and help to save their dog's life it will have achieved its purpose.
4. How did you decide what information to include and what to leave out?
That’s a good question. It’s important to know what to include and to leave out. You want it to be thorough but not be too detailed so it’s overwhelming.
I kept it to the core emergency situations we see at Animal Emergency Service. The other thing I did was to develop a structure for each chapter to take complex information and presents it in a straightforward way so it’s easy for an owner to comprehend when they are in a stressful situation.
5. How long did it take you to put it together?
The idea has been in my head for a few years, but the process of putting it together and working on content and design was just under a year. I knew – because of the important content – that this couldn’t be rushed. It was very important to me to get it right and have a book I was super proud of.
6. What does the process of writing a book entail – who else is involved & how long does it take?
I guess it was first defining the concept, then thinking of a title and general look and feel of the design. I really enjoyed that part. Next was finalising a list of chapters to give me the framework, then writing each chapter and finding great imagery including patients from the hospital. With still working clinical shifts, being hospital director, my media commitments, plus the juggle of mumlife, there were definitely times when it got put on the back burner! However, my job is an emergency veterinarian so I was living the content all the time which certainly helped with writing the book.
I had some incredible people working with me along the way. I had someone helping in a project manager role – coordinating communication with the designer etc. I am so happy with how it turned out. I also have to give credit to my partner Gerardo and my PA Gabby who are always there supporting and encouraging me
7. Where can people get a copy from?
From my website https://dralexhynes.com.au/first-call-for-dogs/
8. Is there a follow-up book?
Yes definitely. I am looking forward to writing First Call for Cats Watch this space!
9. How can the Vetanswers Community help spread the word?
As vets we all just want the best outcome for our patients – there are so many things that we want pet owners to know and understand so that their dogs can have a happy healthy life. My book is a summary of the most common emergencies that could happen, full of preventative tips and information on how to keep them safe and what to do if an emergency does happen. It would be great if the community could spread the word within their practices and to the owners that they see.
They can also share the link to the book: https://dralexhynes.com.au/first-call-for-dogs/I
If you have any questions for Alex about her book or the writing process, just ask them in the Comments section below.
About Alex
Dr. Alex Hynes is an emergency veterinarian, author and educator with an extraordinary passion for animals, life and the veterinary industry. Through sharing her work as hospital director of one of Australia’s busiest emergency pet hospitals, Animal Emergency Service, her public speaking and most recently becoming the new face of Bondi Vet, Alex has dedicated her life to improving standards in emergency and critical care, educating pet owners and inspiring the next generation of vets throughout the world.
www.animalemergencyservice.com.au
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