Table of Contents Authors'' Note Preface 1. Path to an Almost Perfect Pet Why Own a Pet in the First Place? 4 delete* deleteThe Concept of Pet Ownership 5 delete* deletePlanning for Success 8 delete* deleteEach ­­Pet-Owner Relationship Is Unique 11 delete* delete­­Pet-Specific Care 12 delete* deletePutting It All Together 15 delete* deleteCase Example 17 2. Appropriate Pet Selection: A Companion for Life Acquiring a Pet: Check First Before Ever Selecting a Pet 19 delete* deletePet-Proofing Your Living Space 20 delete* deleteOther Considerations 23 delete* deleteThe Selection Process 26 delete* deleteSo Many Choices 28 delete* deleteSources of Pets 30 delete* deleteNext Steps 33 delete* deleteCase Example 36 3. Purebreds, Mixed Breeds and Everything in Between Purebreds 38 delete* deleteHybrids 41 delete* deleteMixed Breeds 42 delete* deleteHybrid Vigor: Is It Real? 47 delete* deleteThe Big Picture 49 delete* deleteFinal Thoughts 52 delete* deleteCase Example 52 4. Personalizing Health Care for Pets (­­Pet-Specific Care) Why Embrace a New Approach? 57 delete* deleteMaintenance Schedules 61 delete* deletePlaying Detective 62 delete* deletePredisposition to Disease 65 delete* deleteFamily History 68 delete* deleteHorses and Zebras 71 delete* deletePersonalizing Cost of Care 71 delete* deleteLetting Go 72 delete* deleteCase Example 75 5. Pet Health Care Delivery in an On-Demand World The Veterinary Team 78 delete* deleteTelehealth 81 delete* deleteRemote Monitoring 85 delete* deletePet Portals 87 delete* deleteBlockchain 88 delete* deleteCase Example 91 6. Prevention: The Best Medicine Controlling the Situation 93 delete* deleteControlling Infectious Diseases 96 delete* deleteParasite Control 99 delete* deleteExercise and Weight Management 102 delete* deleteOral Care 104 delete* deleteStart with Healthy Stock 105 delete* deleteIdentification 107 delete* deleteBody Modification 108 delete* deleteCase Example 110 7. Why Early-Detection Strategies Make Sense Genetic Testing 115 delete* deleteOrthopedic Screening 120 delete* deleteSpecialist Evaluation 122 delete* deleteOther Testing 122 delete* deleteDo We Need to Test for Everything? 125 delete* deleteCase Example 126 delete* deleteCase Example 127 8.

 The Changing Nature of Pet Medications New Types of Medications 129 delete* deleteBuying Medications 131 delete* deleteVeterinary Medications Versus Human Medications 133 delete* deleteGenerics and Biosimilars 134 delete* deleteCompliance and Adherence 135 delete* deleteDrug Resistance 137 delete* deleteNutritional Therapeutics 139 delete* deleteCannabinoids 141 delete* deleteCase Example 142 9. Nutritional Considerations Basic Pet Nutrition 144 delete* deleteCommercial Pet Foods 147 delete* deleteHomemade Diets 152 delete* deleteRaw Food Diets 154 delete* deleteSustainability 156 delete* deleteOvernutrition 156 delete* deleteCase Example 158 10. Mindfulness and Pet Care: Promoting Positive Pet Mental Health Mindfulness 161 delete* deleteStress and Anxiety in Pets 162 delete* deleteReward and Punishment 164 delete* deleteToilet Training 166 delete* deleteSocialization and Habituation 168 delete* deleteAlmost Perfect Meets Fear Free® 169 delete* deleteEnvironmental Enrichment 170 delete* deleteAnimal Welfare 173 delete* deleteCase Example 173 11. Pet Parenting Parenting Styles 179 delete* deleteSocial Creatures: Dogs 181 delete* deleteSocial Creatures: Cats 184 delete* deleteSucceeding Together 188 delete* deleteCase Example 189 12. Pet Health Care Affordability Pet Health Insurance 196 delete* deletePayment and Wellness Plans 201 delete* deleteOther Options 202 delete* deleteIncremental Care 204 delete* deleteTill Death Do Us Part 205 delete* deleteCase Example 207 Index.