YOUR PET'S HEALTH FROM A TO Z

Though they advise on diseases from abscesses to worms, vets McKeown and Strimple aren't likely to put themselves out of business. They emphasize those questions -- on pill-giving, inoculation, ear and urinary problems -- that never seem to get adequately answered during office visits and, in longer essays sprinkled among the cross-referenced paragraphs, provide a knowledgeable, un-fussy approach to training (rewarding a puppy for ""cute"" misbehavior is the beginning of trouble), nutrition (obesity is a major problem in pets as well as owners) and housebreaking. The authors approve of declawing, spray canisters for menaced postmen and pet euthanasia whenever illness or extreme personality problems destroy ""the give and take relationship"" between human and animal. A sound guide to dogs and cats (though somewhat less helpful on birds, reptiles and small rodents) for owners prepared to give care without being coddled themselves.