The Laboratory Canine (The Laboratory Animal Pocket Reference Series)
Reviewed by Carol L. Emerson, DVM, MS, DACLAM
The authors state that The Laboratory Canine serves as a quick reference source and is most valuable for people with less training or experience with dogs used in research and for personnel at institutions that are just beginning programs to provide care for laboratory dogs. The book is divided into 6 chapters: Important Biological Features, Husbandry, Management, Veterinary Care, Experimental Methodology, and Resources. The book is clearly written and adequately referenced and touches on all aspects of care of laboratory dogs. There are many useful tables containing reference values and examples of record-keeping forms. The book also has photographs in almost every chapter that cover all aspects of care and use of dogs used in research.
I was especially impressed with the section on the human-animal bond. It is one of the best written and referenced summaries I've read on this extremely important issue for those who work with and care deeply for research animals. In addition, the chapter on resources contains a thorough summary of information about organizations, Web sites, periodicals, vendors, transportation services, laboratory services, animalfeed providers, and other pertinent information.
In the section on veterinary care, some of the references are from older sources, but as indicated by the authors, a veterinarian should be contacted for provision of medical care, and describing current therapeutic techniques was not the purpose of the book. This handbook is an excellent quick reference source and should be useful for residents in laboratory animal medicine programs and veterinarians who provide consultation services for research facilities that have dogs.—By Garrett Field & Todd A. Jackson. 159 pages; illustrated. CRC Press, 2000 NW Corporate Blvd, Boca Raton, FL 33431. ISBN 978-0-8493-2893-0. 2006. Price $49.95.
The IACUC Handbook (2nd edition)
Reviewed by Rebecca S. Schwiebert, DVM, PhD, DACLAM
Chairs and administrators of institutional animal care and use committees (IACUCs) as well as laboratory animal veterinarians are among the intended audience of this second edition of The IACUC Handbook. Two approaches are used to provide information for readers on particular topics. First, questions representing issues or points requiring clarification frequently encountered by IACUCs are discussed, and the appropriate regulation or opinion is given by the chapter author or authors to provide an answer to the query. The second approach uses reports of survey questions, which provide an insight into how various institutions handle problems, make decisions, and formulate IACUC policies.
Many of the chapters in the first edition have been expanded in this second edition, and the results of additional surveys have also been included. Importantly, the chapters on pain and distress as well as euthanasia have been greatly augmented, reflecting the importance of these topics in many of the issues with which IACUCs wrestle. The new chapter on postapproval monitoring should prove extremely useful for those institutions that are implementing such programs, and it dovetails nicely with the expanded chapters on personnel training, facility inspection, and program review.
The stated goal of the first edition was to address questions and problems frequently encountered by IACUCs, and the goal of the second edition is to provide updated information that reflects changes in the written opinions and clarifications of the federal laws, regulations, and policies that govern the use of animals in research. The goals of the second edition have been met and exceeded. Those who are new to IACUCs as well as seasoned committee members and administrators will find a wealth of information on the regulatory aspects that govern committee function and animal health. This book remains a valuable source of practical information on issues facing IACUCs, and I highly recommended it for the libraries of all those who are part of an IACUC or contribute to an IACUC's support.—By Jerald Silverman, Mark A. Suckow, & Sreekant Murthy. 652 pages; illustrated. CRC Press, 2000 NW Corporate Blvd, Boca Raton, FL 33431. ISBN 978-0-8493-4010-9. 2007. Price $89.95.
Flynn's Parasites of Laboratory Animals (2nd edition)
Reviewed by Laura J. Tambrallo, DVM, MS, DACLAM
It has been 34 years since the first edition of Flynn's Parasites of Laboratory Animals was published. Much has changed in 34 years, but the basics have remained. Strengths of the second edition are in the opulent diagrams of life cycles and illustrations of parasites. The images are all large enough to enable readers to see the objects being explained in the figure legends. The updates of taxonomic terms are also included, such as the reclassifying of Encephalitozoon cuniculi as a fungus when it was formerly classified as a protozoan.
The second edition begins with a chapter that describes diagnostic techniques used to collect specimens. The next 5 chapters provide overviews of parasite biology; I found this to be the weakest part of the book. There is too much detail on life cycle, special organelles, and locomotion. The remainder of the book is devoted to specific parasites that infest the most commonly used laboratory animals. They are listed phylogenetically in each species-specific chapter. Because there is a tendency for some parasites to cross species lines, there is a fair amount of redundancy in each chapter, which makes the book larger than necessary. A useful tool is the summary table that follows every chapter. This saves time by eliminating the need to search through the book for a particular detail.
The 3 appendices are helpful. The first is a comprehensive formulary that provides drug dosages for the most common laboratory animals as well as for unusual laboratory animals, such as parrots, turtles, and water fowl. The second appendix is a species list of safe antiparasitic drugs. The last appendix is a technical glossary.
This book should be on the bookshelf of every laboratory animal veterinarian. It also would be used extensively by clinical practitioners.—By David G. Baker. 813 pages; illustrated. Blackwell Publishing, 2121 State Ave, Ames, IA 50014-8300. ISBN 978-0-8138-1202-1. 2007. Price $149.99.
Ferret Husbandry, Medicine and Surgery (2nd edition)
Reviewed by J. Jill Heatley, DVM, MS, DABVP
Overall, the text of the second edition of Ferret Husbandry, Medicine and Surgery is appropriately organized, and readers should be able to easily locate sections based on color-coding of pages. The sections on ferret and mustelid history, ferret genetics, and breeding provide interesting reading despite not being directly related to clinical practice. Diagrams, illustrations, and figures throughout the text are organized, easy to read, in-depth, and readily accessible for pertinent clinical information. However, a few photographs of ferrets are superfluous and a bit blurry. The chapter on Diseases of Importance does not easily lend itself to clinical reference. However, readability of all sections is generally good. This text is loaded with anecdotal information and material on case management of ferrets that may be immediately useful for practitioners but must be regarded with caution as nutritional aspects and clinical medicine of ferrets continue to develop. The text is somewhat lacking in clinical diagnostic capabilities because reference ranges and other diagnostic information for ferrets are scattered throughout the text or in appendices. However, this is the only major flaw of the text. An attempt is not made to promote a single best standard of care or means of husbandry and medical treatment for ferrets in this text. Rather, a distinct global view is provided that will allow veterinarians to compare medical and husbandry issues among ferrets in various countries. This text effectively spans the gap between a medical handbook needed by veterinarians and a knowledge-based reference for breeding and housing ferrets needed by personnel at laboratory facilities or private owners and breeders.
I recommend the addition of this text for the library of practitioners involved with ferret medicine and surgery and especially for ferret owners and breeders, veterinarian attending ferrets in biomedical research facilities, and anyone interested in the history and proper care of ferrets.—By John H. Lewington. 521 pages; illustrated. Elsevier Saunders, 11830 Westline Industrial Dr, St Louis, MO 63146. ISBN 978-0-7020-2827-4. 2007. Price $110.00.
Infectious Diseases and Pathology of Reptiles: Color Atlas and Text
Reviewed by Michael D. Stafford, DVM
Infectious Diseases and Pathology of Reptiles: Color Atlas and Text covers the entire spectrum of current knowledge. The book starts with a complete section on biology, anatomy, and histology; proceeds through immunology and clinical pathology; and continues with all of the major pathogens currently known. The book also contains a section on necropsy techniques and sections on electron microscopy and molecular diagnostics. The best part of the book is the incredible number of detailed pictures contained in each section.
General practitioners are not the primary audience for this book. There are no sections on treatment, nor is there a formulary. The book is more suited for researchers or veterinary students. Because of the pictures, it would also be an excellent addition to the library of any zoo veterinarian. I find the text to be quite in-depth although a little lacking in detailed information. All of the relevant information is included, and the author acknowledges the lack of in-depth understanding in appropriate areas.
I believe the price is a little high for general practitioners to put the textbook into their libraries, but I find the ever-increasing cost of books to be daunting anyway. As far as the cost of books, this one is probably typical.—By Elliott R. Jacobson. 716 pages; illustrated. CRC Press, 2000 NW Corporate Blvd, Boca Raton, FL 33431. ISBN 978-0-8493-2321-8. 2007. Price $199.95.
