Veterinary Forensics: Animal Cruelty Investigations
Reviewed by Alan J. Herron, DVM
Veterinary Forensics: Animal Cruelty Investigations is written by a veterinarian who is a fulltime employee of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and has the title of forensic veterinarian. The text is suitable for veterinarians in private practice and diagnostic veterinary pathologists who might be called on during investigations involving possible animal cruelty.
The softcover book has 265 pages of text and 35 pages of appendices, with coauthors that include an expert in poisons, an assistant district attorney, and a veterinary pathologist. The book is adequately referenced with many helpful sample forms and contacts. The contacts include an extensive list of diagnostic and forensic laboratories. There is also a short list of internet Web sites that can be helpful in obtaining additional information.
The book offers a good overview for clinicians who may be involved in forensic animal cruelty investigations but lack the detail that would be required by a veterinary pathologist. The textbook includes numerous good-quality color photographs, but some of the black-and-white photographs lack contrast and are of poor quality. Future editions of this text could be improved by also including a veterinarian with a JD degree who has expertise in animal cruelty cases. The book is unique and clearly written and should be a welcome text in the library of veterinarians and attorneys who are interested in animal cruelty investigations.—By Melinda D. Merck. 327 pages; illustrated. Blackwell Publishing, 2121 State Ave, Ames, IA 50014-8300. ISBN 978-0-8138-1501-5. 2007. Price $89.99.
Equine Injury, Therapy and Rehabilitation (3rd edition)
Reviewed by Christine King, BVSc, MVetClinStud
Equine Injury, Therapy and Rehabilitation is the third edition of this landmark textbook on the topic of equine physical therapy and rehabilitation. The author, a chartered physiotherapist, is among the first to write on this important topic, and she justly remains an authority on equine rehabilitation.
For those deciding whether to purchase this book, it is worth mentioning that the book is written primarily for horse owners and trainers. In places, the scientific material is oversimplified to the point of inaccuracy, and the book is not adequately referenced with current information from the burgeoning field of equine biomechanics and locomotion research. Those criticisms aside, it contains plenty of practical information that most horse owners and trainers could safely apply after reading this book. For veterinarians it is useful as a concise guide to the various machines and devices applicable to equine therapy and rehabilitation.
Two central themes run throughout this book. One is a fundamental respect for horses and a genuine desire to do the best for each horse. The other is what I would describe as a holistic perspective. The author repeatedly emphasizes a team approach, with veterinarians as a central member of the team. Furthermore, she advocates a thorough investigation of all factors that may have contributed to a horse's injury and encourages readers to evaluate and treat the whole horse, rather than focusing just on the injured part. To me, that is good medicine.—By Mary Bromiley. 218 pages; illustrated. Blackwell Publishing, 2121 State Ave, Ames, IA 50014-8300. ISBN 978-1-4051-5061-3. 2007. Price $39.99.
Equine Podiatry
Reviewed by Alison Eddy, MA, DVM, DACVS
Equine Podiatry provides a comprehensive review for veterinarians, farriers, and horse owners. Compiling a book for this diverse audience is an ambitious task; however, the authors have largely been successful. Contributions from 43 authors, including academicians, private practitioners, and farriers make this text a varied and thorough exploration of the equine foot in health and disease. Section 1 provides anatomic and physiologic characteristics of the foot, a discussion of foot biomechanics, and a history of the evolution of the equine digits. The second section contains chapters on examination, diagnostic analgesia, and imaging. The diagnostic imaging chapter is inclusive, and it discusses traditional techniques and newer tools, such as digital radiography and magnetic resonance imaging. Unfortunately, the chapter is quite long. Breaking it into shorter chapters may have made its wealth of information more accessible. Section 3 addresses pathologic conditions, including limb deformities, hoof cracks, heel bulb lacerations, wall avulsions, septic processes, and caudal hoof lameness. This section draws on published research and many years of practical experience. Section 4 discusses laminitis in depth, including the pathophysiologic processes; has a useful how-to chapter on venography; and discusses systemic triggers of the disease process. The final section addresses the equine digit from the perspective of a farrier.
This book is appropriately illustrated. Most chapters are thoroughly referenced, and the index is extensive. It is reasonably priced. This textbook advocates a team approach to equine foot care. Its contents will help all members of the team (veterinarians, farriers, and horse owners) to better serve horses.—By Andrea E. Floyd & Richard A. Mansmann. 464 pages; illustrated. Elsevier Saunders, 11830 Westline Industrial Dr, St Louis, MO 63146. ISBN 978-0-7216-0383-4. 2007. Price $99.00.
Self-Assessment Colour Review of Veterinary Cytology: Dog, Cat, Horse and Cow (Learn, Revise, Reinforce Series)
Reviewed by Kristin L. Henson, DVM, MS, DACVP
The Self-Assessment Colour Review of Veterinary Cytology: Dog, Cat, Horse and Cow is designed as a means for self-testing and improvement of skills in cytologic assessment. The manual is intended for veterinary practitioners, although it would be a good resource for residents or specialists who want to assess their knowledge of cytologic examinations. A question-and-answer format is used to provide 165 clinical cases randomly arranged without reference to species, lesion, or type of specimen. Each case includes the history, relevant clinical findings, and photomicrographs of cytologic specimens. Accompanying questions guide readers to describe the cytologic findings; provide a diagnosis; and, when appropriate, consider behavior, follow-up procedures, and possible treatment options. The answers with a discussion and any additional information and photomicrographs are on the back side of the question page. Included in the additional material, answers to frequently asked questions about collection, preparation, and evaluation of cytologic specimens are noticeably useful.
The manual is not designed to be an inclusive reference text; however, the specimens are varied and representative of what is seen in a veterinary practice. The photomicrographs are of high quality, the text is clearly written, and the question-and-answer format is engaging. Distinguishing features of the manual are the inclusion of a few bovine cases, a variety of equine endometrial specimens, and stains not often used in North American veterinary teaching hospitals and diagnostic laboratories. Although a list of the cases organized primarily on the basis of body system is included, the random organization of the case material creates some difficulties when trying to find images or information on specific lesions. Because the manual is not intended to be a reference textbook, this is not considered a fault. Practitioners or cytology students who want to improve and selfassess their skills in cytologic assessment should consider that this textbook is a useful, readable, and reasonably priced addition to their standard cytology reference texts.—By Kathleen P. Freeman. 192 pages; illustrated. Blackwell Publishing, 2121 State Ave, Ames, IA 50014-8300. ISBN 978-1-84076-071-2. 2007. Price $49.99.
Blackwell's Five-Minute Veterinary Consult Clinical Companion: Canine & Feline Behavior
Reviewed by Terry M. Curtis, DVM, MS, DACVB
Blackwell's Five-Minute Veterinary Consult Clinical Companion: Canine & Feline Behavior is a book that I enthusiastically recommend for all veterinarians who examine cats and dogs in their practice. As stated in the preface, “This book is designed to address the typical problem behaviors that owners face with their pets every day.” This book does exactly that. There are 64 chapters that are clearly descriptive and cross-referenced, which makes it easy to find information on common behavior problems. For example, a dog that is aggressive in a veterinary clinic most likely has fear-defensive aggression. In this book, you can find the information you need without knowing the diagnosis (ie, Chapter 3, Aggression/Canine: fear/defensive and Chapter 13, Aggression/Canine: veterinary office).
Each chapter is clearly organized and extremely user-friendly. There is a definition and an overview of the problem, etiology-pathophysiology, signalment-history, clinical features, differential diagnoses, diagnostics, and therapeutics. There are also sections on client education, patient monitoring, prevention or avoidance, possible complications, and expected clinical course and prognosis. The appendices contain information on pharmacology, learning and behavior modification, and additional resources for veterinarians. Relevant and easy-to-understand client handouts are available in an appendix and on the accompanying CD-ROM, which also includes a behavior history form. What I really like and can appreciate is the handout on Acute Management of Problem Behavior, which has information that can help clients at that moment while steps are being taken to obtain a referral. There are also handouts on Safety Recommendations for Aggressive Animals, Creating Harmony in Multiple Cat Homes, and Managing Noise and Storm Phobias, just to name a few.—By Debra F. Horwitz & Jacqueline C. Neilson. 595 pages and CDROM; illustrated. Blackwell Publishing, 2121 State Ave, Ames, IA 50014-8300. ISBN 978-0-7817-5735-5. 2007. Price $69.99.
Small Animal Neurology: Clinical Examination and Diagnosis, an Interactive Course
Reviewed by Robert A. Kroll, DVM, MS, DACVIM
Small Animal Neurology: Clinical Examination and Diagnosis, an Interactive Course is an educational tool. It is an interactive DVDROM that is divided into 2 basic sections.
The first section is a series of small animal case reports that provide a video clip of the patient's gait and relevant parts of the neurologic examination. By providing signalment, clinical history, and results of pertinent diagnostic tests, users are encouraged to examine a patient, localize lesions, and evaluate the cases as if they were the attending clinician. Thirty-three cases provide a wide range of neurologic disorders. Each case includes extensive discussion in the text, with localization, diagnosis, and references. Most videos are of good quality and represent many common (and a few less common) clinical conditions seen at a typical neurology practice.
The second section is a set of tutorials for myelography, computed tomography imaging, and electrodiagnostics (3 diagnostic modalities commonly used in neurologic evaluations). Examples from an assortment of cases are included to illustrate the breadth of uses for these tests.
This is a PC-based program that requires Windows XP to operate. For the program to run properly, it may be necessary to download software updates (which are free), and this fact could have been made clearer. The information on electrodiagnostics may be less interesting to general practitioners than the information on myelography or computed tomography. Lack of a tutorial on magnetic resonance imaging is a shortcoming because this has become a common diagnostic modality for neurologists.
Overall, this appears to be an excellent supplemental teaching tool for veterinary students and a good addition for clinicians who want to strengthen their skills in neurologic assessments, especially the neurologic examination and localization of lesions.—By Jonathan M. Levine & Gwendolyn J. Levine. 1 DVD; illustrated. Texas A&M University Press, 4354 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843-4354. ISBN 978-1-58544-657-5. 2007. Price $50.00.
BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Nephrology and Urology (2nd edition)
Reviewed by Mary Anna Labato, DVM, DACVIM
The second edition of the BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Nephrology and Urology is a completely overhauled text. The appearance and format may be similar to the first edition, but this edition is vastly improved. The manual accurately reflects the progress made in the field of nephrology-urology during the past 10 years.
Not only has the length of the text (291 pages) increased, but there is also an expanded list of international contributors, all of whom are clinical experts in the field. The expanded list of topics reflects changes in areas of interest within the discipline.
The manual is divided into 3 sections. One section deals with common clinical problems. A second large section (8 chapters) deals with diagnostic techniques, such as cystoscopy and lithotripsy. The chapter on diagnostic imaging includes a discussion of scintigraphy, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging, which are techniques currently offered by a limited number of institutions but that are adding substantially to diagnostic and therapeutic advances. The third section deals with the management of diseases of the kidneys, bladder, lower urinary tract, and prostate gland.
The manual includes concise chapters on areas of emerging interest in the discipline. These include a review of advanced renal therapies (dialysis), proteinuria, and the International Renal Interest Society system for the staging of chronic renal disease. Chapter 18 successfully illustrates how this staging system may be applied to management practices. The chapter on proteinuria focuses on the importance of that clinical finding in the diagnosis and management of animals with this form of renal disease. The chapter on hypertension contains the views provided in the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine consensus statement on blood pressure, which was published in 2007. In the first edition, measurement of blood pressure was relatively new to veterinary practice, and systemic hypertension warranted only 1.5 pages of discussion.
Overall, the manual is clearly written, organized, and concise. The charts and diagrams are helpful. The color images are of excellent quality. The manual is reasonably priced and will serve as an excellent reference textbook for veterinary students and practitioners alike.—By Jonathan Elliott & Gregory F. Grauer. 298 pages; illustrated. Blackwell Publishing, 2121 State Ave, Ames, IA 50014-8300. ISBN 978-0-905214-93-1. 2007. Price $149.99.
BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Anaesthesia and Analgesia (2nd edition)
Reviewed by James E. Heavner, PhD, DVM, DACVA
The second edition of the BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Anaesthesia and Analgesia is written primarily for veterinary surgeons and students. The editors state that veterinary nurses and technicians will also find a wealth of useful information in the book and hope that individuals studying for examinations in veterinary anesthesia will find the book useful. Chapters are authored by internationally recognized experts. Although the British origin of the editors and many of the authors is obvious, most of the information is universal and applicable anywhere in the world. The adaptation of equipment designed for human use and the acceptance of data relevant to humans as correct for cats and dogs are obvious in some places, and is questionable. The second edition differs from the first edition in that a section dealing specifically with pain has been added (4 chapters), details of anesthesia and analgesia in exotic species have been eliminated, and various topics are covered in much greater detail than in the first edition. The chapters on pharmacology and specific patient management have been revised or completely rewritten. The authors and editors have done an outstanding job of putting in 1 manual a huge amount of information that will help the targeted audiences better appreciate the theoretic and practical aspects of providing anesthesia and analgesia for cats and dogs. Color illustrations and the cover design make the book pleasing to the eye. Anyone who engages in anesthetizing and providing analgesia care for these animals will find that the cost of the book is money well spent.—By Chris Seymour & Tanya Duke-Novakovski. 344 pages; illustrated. Blackwell Publishing, 2121 State Ave, Ames, IA 50014-8300. ISBN 978-0-905214-98-6. 2007. Price $149.99.
Canine Internal Medicine Secrets
Reviewed by Judith I. Pawlusiow, MS, DVM, DACVIM
Canine Internal Medicine Secrets is a continuation in the Secrets Series approach of easy-to-use questions and answers for veterinary medicine. The softcover textbook is a quick reference source for the essentials of canine internal medicine, providing a large volume of clinical information in a user-friendly format. Multiple authors, including 14 who are diplomates of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, have contributed to this textbook.
Ten main sections cover organ systems and disease processes. Subsections have questions regarding etiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment that are answered with short, concise, and current information. In-depth discussion is not the intent and scope of this textbook. Readers are recommended to obtain additional detail in standard reference textbooks and the literature. A bibliography is included with each section for further reference. Radiographs and photomicrographs included in this textbook are of high quality, with good detail and representation of the discussed diseases.
Although the question-and-answer format can be a valuable study guide for board preparation, it also will be a good, quick reference source for practicing veterinarians. The low cost of this text makes it an excellent addition to a reference library.—By Stanley I. Rubin & Anthony P. Carr. 449 pages; illustrated. Blackwell Publishing, 2121 State Ave, Ames, IA 50014-8300. ISBN 978-156053-629-1. 2006. Price $43.95.
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.
Infectious Diseases of Wild Birds
Reviewed by Maryanne E. Tocidlowski, DVM, DACZM
The intent of the editors for Infectious Diseases of Wild Birds was to revise the 1971 edition of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases of Wild Birds. Because of the large volume of new material and literature available, this textbook focuses on only the infectious diseases of freeliving wild birds. The selected diseases mentioned are not limited to only free-living birds but are found in captive ones as well. The general content is aimed at veterinarians but is also applicable to biologists and other professionals that deal with free-ranging or captive birds.
The chapters contain excellent coverage of the most common viral, bacterial, fungal, and toxic diseases that affect wild birds. There are extensive histories and epizootiologic characteristics of some of the diseases. Each chapter contains the subheadings of introduction, synonyms, history, distribution, host range, etiology, epizootiology, clinical signs, pathogenesis, pathology, diagnosis, immunity, public health concerns, domestic animal concerns, wildlife population impacts and management implications, treatment and control, unpublished data, and literature cited. There is a long list of references for each subject, and each chapter includes some clinical case reports. The photographs and photomicrographs are helpful and informative.
This is a must-have book for anyone who deals with illnesses of wild and captive birds and is well worth the cost. It is not intended to contain the most up-to-date information regarding current treatments and prophylaxis, and some chapters provide more historical information than most readers would ever want. This book is designed to provide readers with the background for the selected diseases so that they can better understand the course of a disease and make good judgments as to how to deal with them in avian populations.—By Nancy J. Thomas, D. Bruce Hunter, & Carter T. Atkinson. 484 pages; illustrated. Blackwell Publishing, 2121 State Ave, Ames, IA 50014-8300. ISBN 978-1-8138-2812-1. 2007. Price $89.99.
Diseases of Sheep (4th edition)
Reviewed by Paul L. Jones, DVM
The editor has done a masterful job of putting together a worldwide view in Diseases of Sheep. The contributing authors provide precise and concise information that is up-to-date and useful. The book will be useful for novices as well as experienced veterinarians. The book has a user-friendly format and is not verbose. The chapters on sheep welfare are timely and, in the increasingly animal-conscious world, extremely valuable. Readers will be struck by the fact that this text gathers information from large sheep-producing regions of the world, and therefore the scope of diseases is thorough and the expertise evident. This fourth edition is updated with the latest in research, diagnostic testing, and treatments. Although interesting, the chapters on regional problems do not seem particularly useful. For the chapter on pharmaceuticals, readers will need to exercise care in the use of or recommendations for drugs that are not approved in their particular country. Pictures, illustrations, charts, and graphs are done well and appropriately placed and contribute to the clarity of the diseases described. This textbook, although expensive, will be a valuable addition to anyone's library, particularly those interested in foreign diseases of sheep.—By I. D. Aitken. 610 pages; illustrated. Blackwell Publishing, 2121 State Ave, Ames, IA 50014-8300. ISBN 978-1-4051-3414-9. 2007. Price $219.99.
Legal Consents for Veterinary Practices (with Spanish Translation) (4th edition)
Reviewed by Karl R. Salzsieder, DVM, JD
The fourth edition of Legal Consents for Veterinary Practices is one of the best books on practice operations and risk-liability prevention available. It includes more than 73 forms. There is an excellent inclusion of 10 pages that explain the Legal Consent Doctrine, including discussions of whether veterinarians are in the legal arena for use of the terms legal consent and risk assessment or the human medical term of informed consent. Regardless of the term, inclusion of support for written consent makes the book an understandable and acceptable must-read for all practitioners. This book includes 195 pages of legal consent and liability waiver forms in 2 languages. There are 8 pages on how to use the book, including instructions for various settings.
I believe the Consent for Treatment and/or Admission Form is the first-ever such form usable by veterinarians, with a prompt for veterinarians and clients to detail the needed information that must be discussed by clients and their veterinarians before a client can have adequate information to make an informed decision for consent or authorization for care. I believe it is also the first book to have a Pet Medical Power of Attorney Form and a Pet Living Will.
The book is extremely up-to-date and applicable, with the inclusion of forms for new vaccine protocols and serologic testing recommendations that a client should be asked to accept or waive for cats and dogs. There is a form for meeting documentation requirements for rabies vaccines.
The book contains a notice to clients for dangerous animal warnings and a notice of suspicion to clients regarding animal cruelty or neglect. These forms are certainly an aid to a veterinarian's defense should a person be injured by a known vicious dog or a pet be found injured or neglected without proper owner care after the dog or pet, respectively, visited a veterinary hospital.
This book is a bargain at any price. Prevention of 1 client complaint to a licensing board or a malpractice lawsuit is much more valuable than the cost of this musthave book.—By James F. Wilson. 201 pages and CD-ROM; illustrated. Priority Press Ltd, 16 S Main St, Yardley, PA 19067. ISBN 978-0-9621-0075-8. 2007. Price $99.00.
BSAVA Textbook of Veterinary Nursing (4th edition)
Reviewed by Brenda Reams Woodard, DVM
The fourth edition of the BSAVA Textbook of Veterinary Nursing (formerly Jones's Animal Nursing) is a textbook consisting of 26 chapters that provide extensive coverage of small animal nursing in the United Kingdom. Three editors have compiled contributions from 41 authors, who updated or wrote completely new chapters for this reference. In this textbook, new or expanded information is provided for small mammal and exotic pet nursing, clinical nutrition, dentistry, alternative therapies, and animal behavior problems. Also new to this edition are excellent color illustrations, clear and concise line drawings, and highlighted tables.
The text is clearly written and easy to read, with numerous high-quality visual aids and tables that accentuate the material. Full-color illustrations and photographs, along with the use of color for subheadings and tables, make this reference book attractive and visually appealing. Veterinary nurses or technicians will appreciate the highlighted insets for an easy, step-bystep approach to clinical procedures. The text is logically organized and comprehensive in addressing subject matter pertinent to the nursing care of small animals.
However, much information is specific to the United Kingdom, including items such as legal aspects of veterinary practice, variations in use of vaccinations, geographic differences for certain parasites (eg, Dirofilaria immitis is not in the United Kingdom), pharmacologic differences in drugs approved for use and the name of drugs, and differences in endemic diseases (there is no rabies in the United Kingdom). Despite these differences, readers will find a wealth of information applicable and useful to veterinary nurses or technicians regardless of geographic location. This book is an affordable and useful reference for any small animal practice.—By Dick Lane, Barbara Cooper, & Lynn Turner. 719 pages; illustrated. Blackwell Publishing, 2121 State Ave, Ames, IA 50014-8300. ISBN 978-0-905214-89-4. 2007. Price $109.99.
Influenza and It's Global Public Health Significance (Advances in Medical and Veterinary Virology, Immunology and Epidemiology: Vol. 6)
Reviewed by Jeffrey Wilusz, PhD
Influenza and It's Global Public Health Significance contains 13 chapters that provide an overview of influenza infections in humans and other animals. The strengths of this collection are the 4 chapters on avian, swine, equine, and canine influenza that collectively provide a fairly complete picture of the evolving disease in these animals. However, most of the other chapters in the book have deficiencies, some rather major, that reduce the overall impact and value of the book as a resource. The chapter on the history of the disease is sparse and substantially underdeveloped. Similarly, the chapter on epidemiology only scratches the surface of this topic of great importance to the study and control of influenza and does not provide any important global perspectives. The chapter on pandemic preparedness, another area of major importance (particularly in the current environment), is also underdeveloped and of minimal use to trained professionals. The chapter on influenza virus type C is particularly disappointing, providing dated material (the most recent reference cited was in the 1970s) that is inordinately focused on the minutia of viral growth properties. The chapter on clinical diagnosis is also incomplete, omitting detailed discussion of rapid diagnostic tests that are often the mainstay of practicing physicians. Several of the chapters also contain factual mistakes (eg, misstating the number of hemagglutinin types). Compounding these issues, there are numerous problems with the overall editing of the book. An uncomfortable amount of typographic errors, grammatic mistakes, and format inconsistencies and a lack of incorporation of figures into the flow of the text reduce the quality of the overall presentation. Many of the chapters also contain repetitive information. Overall, although the book has some merit as an introductory text, I find that the numerous deficiencies substantially limit its use for veterinary students and health professionals.—By Tripathi M. Mathew & Thankam Mathew. 203 pages; illustrated. Thajema Publishers, 31 Glenview Dr, West Orange, NJ 07052-1010. ISBN 978-0-97275975-5. 2006. Price $33.99.
Leading the Way to Your Dream Practice
Reviewed by David E. Lee, DVM, MBA
Several excellent books devoted to veterinary practice management have been published in recent years. Unfortunately, the step between learning sound business principles and applying them is a big one. Leading the Way to Your Dream Practice is a 230-page handbook that guides users through a process of self-evaluation to identify problem areas in their practice, develop a strategy for improvement, and chart the action steps necessary for implementation. Although there is a chapter dedicated to increasing the value of a practice, the focus of the book is primarily on crystallizing a personal vision for each practice, developing the right team, and charting a path to success.
This is not a book to be read but a guide to be used. Many of the pages have more blank lines than text, and there are 25 entirely blank pages at the end, which some may find unsatisfying. The text introduces important concepts in short, easy-to-read paragraphs, followed by questions and space for answers. At times, the questions can be confusing or seem ambiguous, and of course, there is no answer key because there is no single perfect answer.
A commitment to action through written affirmations can be an extremely powerful tool for some people, but be forewarned that this book will require many hours to complete the exercises. Those who truly put forth the effort will likely find this book a reasonable value and find themselves a step closer to realizing their envisioned future.—By Steve Kornfeld. 231 pages; illustrated. American Animal Hospital Association, 2370 Cherry St, Lakewood, CO 80228. ISBN 978-1-58326075-1. 2007. Price $59.95.
