Pets on the couch : neurotic dogs, compulsive cats, anxious birds, and the new science of animal psychiatry

The "fur-and-feathers Oliver Sacks" ( New York Times ), pioneering veterinarian Nicholas Dodman recounts his "riveting stories" (Judith L. Rapoport, MD, author of The Boy Who Couldn't Stop Washing ) of treating animals with all-too-human problems in this "fascinating read for anyone who wants to know how the animal mind works" (Stanley Coren, author of The Intelligence of Dogs ). Internationally renowned veterinarian Dr. Nicholas Dodman breaks new ground with the practice of One Medicine, the profound recognition that humans' and other animals' minds and emotions work in similar ways. Racehorses with Tourette's Syndrome, spinning dogs with epilepsy, cats with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, feather-plucking parrots with anxiety, and a diffident Bull Terrier with autism—these astonishing cases were all helped by One Medicine. Traditional treatments did not cure the behaviors because they treated the symptoms as disorders of the body, rather than problems of the mind. "This book itself is powerful medicine," writes Sy Montgomery, author of The Soul of an Octopus . "Compelling...Dodman injects empathy into a world where sympathy previously reigned," praised Publishers Weekly . "With much charm and compassion" (Susan Richards, author of Chosen by a Horse ), Pets on the Couch raises our understanding of our pets' complex interior lives and mental abilities, leading to a greater appreciation of them and the bonds we share. The pioneering veterinarian and author of the New York Times bestseller, The Dog Who Loved Too Much, and the national bestseller, The Cat Who Cried for Help, recounts his uniquely entertaining—and poignant—stories of treating animals for all-too-human problems as he reveals his amazing breakthroughs with the new science of One Medicine. The Oliver Sacks of animal brains, Dr. Nicholas Dodman is an internationally renowned veterinarian and research scientist who wrote one of the first popular books to recognize the complex emotional lives of dogs and to reveal innovative ways to help them, including with Puppy Prozac. Now, Dr. Dodman once again breaks new ground with the practice of One Medicine, the profound recognition that humans and other animals share the same neurochemistry, and that our minds and emotions work in similar ways. Racehorses with Tourette’s Syndrome, spinning dogs with epilepsy, cats with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, feather-plucking parrots with anxiety, and a diffident Bull Terrier with autism—these astonishing cases were all helped by One Medicine, which emphasizes the similarities rather than differences between animals and humans. Inspiring, sometimes heartbreaking, and utterly fascinating, Pets on the Couch demonstrates how what we share with our animals can only lead us to a greater appreciation for them—and our mutual bonds. The dog who ate wine glasses : when the brain short-circuits The horse who chewed on fences : obsessive-compulsive disorder The dog who came back from the war : post-traumatic stress disorder The emotional wounds of rescued animals The dog who couldn't stop licking : compulsive disorders The dog who was afraid of puddles : autism, epilepsy, and rage The horse who went "harumph" : equine Tourette's syndrome The dog who hated surprises : the many faces of aggressive behavior Two spaniels and a baby : predation and pharmacological fixes Animals who fear too much : anxiety and panic disorders Dogs who hate bugs and storms : the trouble with phobias Senile dogs, cats ... and cheetahs : dementia and Alzheimer's disease The beagle with ADHD : behavioral problems with medical roots The narcoleptic horse : night terrors and other sleep problems The listless pet : the thyroid and anxiety, aggression, and mood Blue dogs and cats : depression and mood medicines Epilogue : hope for us all. "A celebrated veterinary behaviorist describes the practice of One Medicine, which hinges on the belief that humans and other animals have minds that work the same way, experience similar emotions and share the same neurochemistry, "--NoveList