Handbook of Primate Husbandry and Welfare
Reviewed by Margaret S. Landi, VMD, MS, DACLAM
The Handbook of Primate Husbandry and Welfare is written by well-known British primatologists. It consists of 9 chapters that cover a wide array of species of nonhuman primates. Although some information in the book will be of value to practitioners, the primary target audience is veterinarians and other professionals who work with primates in research settings. The price of the book is similar to comparable professional reference books.
The book is aligned with practices and procedures common in Europe, specifically the United Kingdom. In the United Kingdom, the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) is most frequently used in research, whereas in the United States, it is generally the long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis). Within the United Kingdom, injuries to personnel by Old World monkeys are handled differently than those in the United States, where infection with Herpesvirus simiae (herpes B) is always a consideration. To exemplify this distinction, readers should remember the difference in medical and veterinary practice for animal bites in the United Kingdom and United States with regard to potential transmission of rabies.
Overall, the book is a clearly written reference for standards of care and welfare for nonhuman primate populations in the United Kingdom. The standards may differ from those in the United States, but the principles of humane care, treatment, and welfare are the same for both countries. The major difference readers should remember is that within the United Kingdom and Europe, the emphasis is for more naturalistic environments within research settings. However, what is best for the animals should be determined by qualified personnel who know and understand the behavior, characteristics, and needs of each specific species of nonhuman primate within any captive setting. This book will be a good reference for such qualified staff.—By Sarah Wolfensohn & Paul Honess. 168 pages; illustrated. Blackwell Publishing Professional, 2121 State Ave, Ames, IA 50014-8300. ISBN 1-405-11158-5. 2005. Price $69.99.
Nutrient Requirements of Horses Animal Nutrition Series (6th edition)
Reviewed by A. Wayne Groce, DVM, PhD
The preface to the sixth edition of Nutrient Requirements of Horses contains the profound statement, “A great deal of new information has appeared in the scientific literature on topics related to the nutrition and feeding of horses since the publication of the previous edition in 1989.” The National Research Council (NRC) Committee on Nutrient Requirements of Horses appears to have based their efforts on evaluation and integration of this new information while retaining historical information from the fifth edition that is still considered relevant and valid. The feed analysis library has been expanded, and extensive information on the composition of mare's milk is provided. This hardcover publication should withstand frequent use.
The familiar format and organization common to all books of the NRC's nutrient requirements of domestic animals series are retained. Committee members and their editorial support staff have broken slightly from the stilted scientific literature review style used in prior offerings while still providing a factual resource that is refreshingly easy to read. Readers are frequently cautioned that nutritional training and knowledge are required to properly apply the techniques and information.
Results of research on the popular topics of lipidenhanced diets and energy requirements and utilization by equine athletes are thoroughly discussed by the authors. Nutritional guidelines for all life stages of horses and most work or performance functions are provided in standard NRC nutrient requirement formats. One chapter, which is devoted to computer models used to generate the data in these tables, will only be of interest to professional nutritionists or researchers in equine nutrition. A nutrient requirement estimation utility for the sixth edition is provided on the publisher's Web site (www.nap.edu). An expanded treatment of ration formulation and evaluation provides good refresher exercises for people with some formal nutritional training (such as a basic undergraduate nutrition or rations course).—By the National Research Council. 341 pages; illustrated. The National Academies Press, 8700 Jericho City Dr, Landover, MD 20785. ISBN 978-0-309-10212-4. 2007. Price $99.95
