Dairy Production Medicine
Reviewed by Lowell T. Midla, VMD, MS
Dairy Production Medicine would make an excellent addition to every dairy practitioner's library. In contrast to a standard veterinary medicine textbook in which organization of the information into chapters is generally straightforward, the method of partitioning is not quite so obvious for a dairy production medicine text. The editors of this book have done an excellent job of arranging the material so that the book flows naturally and finding a specific piece of information is both easy and intuitive. Each chapter covers a stage in the production cycle of a dairy cow (eg, the transition period) from all perspectives (eg, management, nutrition, and disease) or covers a specific topic within production medicine (eg, management to prevent lameness). Each topic is covered thoroughly. The chapter on dairy records analysis stands out as an example of perhaps the first time that such a thorough and clearly written treatise on the subject has appeared in print. Indeed, the editors were successful at recruiting an eminent expert on each topic to write almost every one of the individual chapters. Comprehensive is a word that can certainly be used to describe this book, although there are some additional topics that arguably could have been included. For example, there is no chapter on housing or facilities considerations. That notwithstanding, the stated goal of the book (to provide students, veterinarians, and dairy specialists with a reference for dairy production medicine that can be used to provide dairy herd management services) has been achieved.—By Carlos A. Risco & Pedro Melendez Retamal. 363 pages; illustrated. Wiley-Blackwell, 2121 State Ave, Ames, IA 50014. ISBN 978-0-8138-1539-8. 2011. Price $124.99.
Cattle Medicine
Reviewed by Spring Halland, DVM, DACVIM
Cattle Medicine is a small and compact book that takes a body system approach to many cattle diseases while following the same format for each disease process (ie, definition and overview, etiology, clinical signs, differential diagnosis, diagnosis, and management). This succinct and predictable format makes it easy to draw comparisons or to obtain a more comprehensive understanding of specific diseases. This book conveniently starts with a page of definitions for the abbreviations used throughout the book. The book has informative tables and contains an extensive number of photographs, many of which are sequential for a disease progression or diagnosis. These items help the authors achieve their stated goals of providing a practical, concise text aimed at veterinary students and new graduate veterinarians. In addition to the discussion of cattle diseases, the book also includes a brief chapter on anesthesia.
Despite the many high-quality photographs, readers may occasionally be left wondering about the orientation of the images, which may cause confusion. Some photographs are not specific to the disease being discussed because it provides a nonspecific pain response. Readers need to remember that the book is written by British veterinarians; therefore, one must be aware of the different practices as well as pharmaceuticals that they use that may not be legal in other countries.
No references are included within the body of the book. However, it ends with a list of 14 references (books or websites) to direct readers for further reading.—By Philip R. Scott, Colin D. Penny, & Alastair I. Macrae. 288 pages; illustrated. Manson Publishing Ltd, distributed by Thieme Medical Publishers Inc, 333 Seventh Ave, New York, NY 10001. ISBN 978-1-84076-127-6. 2011. Price $160.00.
Sheep and Goat Medicine (2nd edition)
Reviewed by Robert J. Callan, DVM, PhD, DACVIM
The second edition of Sheep and Goat Medicine is an excellent follow-up to the first edition that was published in 2002. The second edition is markedly expanded from the first and contains substantial new and updated material. There is an expanded list of contributors, all of whom are recognized leaders in their areas of expertise. The book includes new chapters: Fluid Therapy and Nutritional Support (which has been moved from the appendix), Internal Parasites (which has been moved from a section within gastrointestinal diseases to its own chapter), and Necropsy. The formatting of the book has an appealing layout with color headings and a consistent and clear organization of the sections. One of the most valuable additions to the book is the inclusion of color illustrations and tables.
The book is organized in chapters that cover organ systems or specific health topics, such as handling, feeding and nutrition, flock and herd health, and anesthetic management. The organ system chapters are divided into sections on examination and diagnostic techniques, which are then followed by specific medical conditions. Helpful details have been added to the descriptions for diagnostic or surgical procedures throughout the book. Some highlights are the addition of numerous color illustrations to the section on abortion and the addition of a section on constant rate infusions for pain control in the chapter on anesthetic management.
This book is an excellent resource for any veterinarian who practices on small ruminants. It does a good job of providing basic husbandry, physiology, and medical information as well as sufficient detail and new information to be of value to both general practitioners and specialists.—By David G. Pugh & Aubrey Nickie Baird. 621 pages; illustrated. Elsevier/Saunders, 11830 Westline Industrial Dr, St Louis, MO 63146. ISBN 978-1-4377-2353-3. 2012. Price $135.00.
Farm Animal Behaviour: Characteristics for Assessment of Health and Welfare
Reviewed by Sharon Crowell-Davis, DVM, PhD, DACVB
The author states in the Preface that the target readers for Farm Animal Behaviour: Characteristics for Assessment of Health and Welfare are veterinary students and veterinary technician students. The book is also suitable for animal science students and veterinarians who need to review basic farm animal behavior. With the increase in large corporate farms and the displacement of family farms in which multiple species are kept in small groups in seminatural environments, individuals entering animal care professions often have incomplete knowledge of the natural behavior and physical and behavioral needs of some of the farm animals with which they will be working. This book attempts to provide an easy-to-use resource for initially accessing that information and accomplishes the task quite well. In addition to conventional farm species (ie, horses, pigs, rabbits, cattle, sheep, goats, chickens, turkeys, geese, and ducks), 2 nondomesticated species that often are farmed are included. These are deer (specifically fallow deer and red deer) and ratites (specifically ostriches, rheas, and emus). Each type of animal has its own chapter, and all chapters are organized identically. The first part reviews the history of domestication of the species, changes in the species as they were domesticated, and a summary of their natural environment and how they are managed in the domestic environment. Subsequent sections, all clearly numbered and labeled, cover topics such as social behavior, behavioral response to danger, a selection of physiologic values, diet, reproductive behavior, assessment of health and welfare, important factors in the behavior of caretakers of the animals, and 12 other topics. The information is well referenced, and a glossary explains terms that may be unfamiliar to nonbehaviorists. With 194 pages of text covering 17 species, no species is covered in great depth, and students seeking comprehensive coverage of a given species need to seek a book that is focused on that species. The book achieves its goals of introducing basic information on a broad spectrum of farm animals and is an excellent resource for anyone who needs this type of information.—By Ingvar Ekesbo. 237 pages; illustrated. CABI, 875 Massachusetts Ave, 7th Floor, Cambridge, MA 02139. ISBN 978-1-84593-770-6. 2011. Price $72.50.
FoalinMare: Insights Inside the Foaling Mare (2nd edition)
Reviewed by Lloyd Kloppe, DVM, DACT
The DVD of the second edition of FoalinMare: Insights Inside the Foaling Mare offers great information on fetal development inside a mare. The depictions offer a 3-D perspective of fetal position and development during gestation. The animations for the dystocias are particularly helpful for students or clinicians who are developing their skill in handling such difficult situations. The descriptions of the fetotomies will also be extremely useful for visualizing a 3-D image of what needs to be done inside a mare during these procedures. There are also 2 full-length videos (a Cesarean section and a normal foaling in a mare) that do a great job of depicting the procedures and processes.
I would have liked a more complete menu for each chapter to help me navigate through the DVD. There is not a description of each chapter and subchapter; rather, there are only 1-word categories.
This DVD is well worth the suggested price as a visual aid for use in learning about the normal and abnormal situations for gestation and foaling. This will be a helpful tool for veterinary students who are just learning about parturition and dystocia or experienced clinicians who would like a refresher course. The videos would be extremely useful for seminars to clients or horse owners on the topics of normal foaling and when to call for a veterinarian.—By Jan Govaere, Katrien Martens, Aart de Kruif, Bert C. van der Weijden, Tom A. E. Stout, Grant S. Frazer, & Jean François Bruyas. 1 DVD; illustrated. Universiteit Gent, Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics, and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium. 978-90-5864-260-8. 2011. Price $70.00.
Equine Surgery (4th edition)
Reviewed by Carter E. Judy, DVM, DACVS
The fourth edition of Equine Surgery is a much-needed update to the widely used and referenced surgery textbook for equine practitioners, surgeons, and students. With > 70 contributors, the book contains valuable information and an expansive breadth of knowledge. This edition expands on sections in previous editions and adds new and useful information that has evolved in the practice of equine surgery since the publication of the preceding edition in 2006. The book is divided into 12 sections on topics including surgical biology, surgical methods, anesthesia, and organ systems. Several new or expanded sections and chapters are included. Diagnostic imaging has now been expanded into its own section to address its increased role and use in the practice of equine surgery. Regenerative medicine has its own chapter, which reflects the current trend in therapy of horses. Postoperative physiotherapy for orthopedic patients and temporomandibular joint disorders each have their own chapters as well. However, it is the overall improvements within each section and chapter that really help to keep this edition at the forefront of the field and provides readers with practical, useful information about surgical disease processes and potential surgical treatments in horses. The usefulness of this book is not limited to surgeons alone. It is a valuable resource for anyone who practices equine medicine or operates in the most advanced surgical suite or practices in an ambulatory vehicle. It is also a must-have book for students.—By Jörg A. Auer & John A. Stick. 1,536 pages; illustrated. Elsevier/Saunders, 11830 Westline Industrial Dr, St Louis, MO 63146. ISBN 978-1-4377-0867-7. 2012. Price $239.00.
The Equine Distal Limb: An Atlas of Clinical Anatomy and Comparative Imaging
Reviewed by Timothy B. Lescun, BVSc, MS, DACVS
The Equine Distal Limb: An Atlas of Clinical Anatomy and Comparative Imaging epitomizes the saying that a picture tells a thousand words and includes a large volume of excellent information in the elegant and detailed images. The author has compiled an anatomic atlas of the distal portion of the equine limb, which provides readers with complete dissections and a comprehensive set of tissue slices in the transverse, sagittal, and frontal planes for each section of the book (the foot, pastern, and fetlock). Detailed dissections and tissue slices include colored latex casts of synovial structures and vasculature. Soft tissue dissections layered from superficial to deep illustrate relationships between bones, joints, and soft tissues in a manner that highlights the complexity of the anatomy of the distal portion of the limbs of horses. The dissections and tissue slices are complemented with radiographic (including contrast images), ultrasonographic, and magnetic resonance images of clinically normal horses. High-detail color images are provided with a corresponding labeled black-and-white image on the facing page, and a complete listing of the anatomic structures within is included in a key. This book is a must-have for equine veterinarians interested in surgery, lameness, or imaging of the distal portion of equine limbs, and it is a valuable reference for educating veterinary students. The anatomic dissections are timeless, and this book represents a good value. It will be relevant and useful for students and clinicians for years to come.—By Jean-Marie Denoix. 390 pages; illustrated. Manson Publishing Ltd, distributed by Thieme Medical Publishers Inc, 333 Seventh Ave, New York, NY 10001. ISBN 978-1-84076-001-X. 2011. Price $212.00.
Brucella: Molecular Microbiology and Genomics
Reviewed by Angela Arenas, DVM, PhD, DACVP
Brucella: Molecular Microbiology and Genomics is a must-have for anyone interested in Brucella spp and brucellosis. This volume is edited by 2 experts in the field. The most distinguished and internationally known scientists have contributed to the book. The text is organized into 13 chapters that provide a comprehensive and detailed review of the most recent advances regarding Brucella pathogenicity with an emphasis on genomics, virulence factors, host-agent interactions, epidemiology, diagnostic testing, therapeutic targets, and vaccine development. Each chapter reviews the most important advances and also refers to key aspects of the organism and the disease with minimal overlap and repetition of information among chapters. This well-referenced book will be a welcome addition to the libraries of researchers, laboratory workers, molecular biologists, microbiologists, and veterinarians who desire a comprehensive review of this organism. For those looking for a single, detailed reference on Brucella organisms, purchasing this book will be money well spent.—By Ignacio López-Goñi & David O'Callaghan. 261 pages; illustrated. Caister Academic Press, distributed by International Specialized Book Services, 920 NE 58th Ave, Ste 300, Portland, OR 97213. ISBN 978-1-904455-93-6. 2012. Price $310.00.
Studies on Veterinary Medicine (Oxidative Stress in Applied Basic Research and Clinical Practice Series)
Reviewed by Thomas Krunkosky, DVM, PhD
The intent of Studies on Veterinary Medicine (Oxidative Stress in Applied Basic Research and Clinical Practice Series) is to address the growing evidence that oxidative stress plays an important role in aging and diseases of domestic animals. The first 3 chapters inform readers about the reactive free radicals that generate the oxidative stresses that occur at a cellular level. These chapters also provide a general overview of how a cell responds to these stresses and discusses advantages and disadvantages of these events within cells. The bulk of the remaining chapters elucidate how oxidative stress is involved in clinically relevant diseases in domestic species. This is beneficial to veterinarians because these chapters can be used as a reference for understanding each disease and informs readers of potential treatments. Theses chapters include the role of oxidative stress in the following categories: neuronal cell death, diabetes mellitus, spinal cord diseases, brain aging, ocular disease, heart failure, dermatitis, and diseases of birds and ruminants.
The last chapter is provided in a table format to inform readers of the common pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals involved in the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory pathways. This chapter provides a quick, efficient reference for chemicals used in practice. The table is separated into sections that describe the common name of the chemical, proposed mechanism of action, proposed cellular effects, and traditional and potential uses for the chemical. It also provides readers with information about potential adverse effects and doses for each chemical. This book is an excellent resource for information on the role of oxidative stress in veterinary patients.—By Lester Mandelker & Peter Vajdovich. 260 pages; illustrated. Humana Press Inc, 233 Spring St, New York, NY 10013. ISBN 978-1-61779-070-6.2011. Price $189.99.
Duncan & Prasse's Veterinary Laboratory Medicine: Clinical Pathology (5th edition)
Reviewed by A. Rick Alleman, DVM, PhD, DABVP, DACVP
The fifth edition of Duncan & Prasse's Veterinary Laboratory Medicine: Clinical Pathology consists of 509 pages divided into 13 chapters dedicated to the interpretation of laboratory data. The book is modestly priced and is of substantial value to veterinary students, interns, residents, and clinicians as well as those who specialize in clinical pathology. Similar to previous editions, there is adequate information on physiology and pathophysiology to be of value to veterinary students and clinical pathology residents, yet the book is practical enough to make it a must-have text for practicing veterinarians. One notable change is that the sections in each chapter are now accentuated by a change in font color and better separation from the text. This greatly enhances the ability of clinicians to quickly access clinically relevant information when interpreting abnormal results for a patient or planning avenues of diagnostic investigation. Although most of the figures, illustrations, and tables are similar to those in the preceding edition, the images are larger and the graphics are much improved.
The text is similar to the preceding edition; however, major changes have been made in sections where newer information has become available since the preceding edition. Some notable modifications include the addition of sections on mast cells, mast cell lineage, intracellular pathogens, and morphologic changes associated with hereditary disorders in the chapter on leukocytes. In the chapter on hematopoietic neoplasia, there is added commentary on lymphomas in avian and mustelid species as well as additional information regarding macrophage and dendritic cell neoplasia. However, surface antigen markers as they pertain to immunodiagnostics are only briefly discussed, and this chapter would benefit from additional information regarding the use of PCR assays for antigen receptor rearrangements.
Improvements in other areas include sections on the use of thromboelastography in the diagnosis of hemostatic disorders and updated information on newly recognized or better characterized disorders in hemostasis. The chapter on proteins and lipids now includes a section on troponins and other indicators of cardiac disease and additional information on obesity and lipidemia in animals. Substantial modifications have been implemented in the chapter on the digestive system. The material on the use of amylase and lipase has been abbreviated and more emphasis placed on the interpretation of laboratory tests that are more specific for pancreatic disease. Similarly, the sections on the diagnosis of maldigestion and malabsorption have been substantially revised to provide information in a more clinically relevant format that includes current testing platforms for these various disorders.
Finally, the chapter on test validity, quality control, and reference intervals has been greatly expanded to provide more topics, details, and illustrations, which makes this a much more useful section for laboratory personnel and clinical pathology residents.
The book is extremely thorough in providing information on the usefulness of various assays in the diagnosis of animal diseases and the conditions (physiologic, pathological, or confounding) that cause alterations in various analytes. Updated information, a more user-friendly format, and improved tables and figures make this a valuable addition to the library at any veterinary practice or clinical pathology laboratory.—By Kenneth S. Latimer. 509 pages; illustrated. Wiley-Blackwell, 2121 State Ave, Ames, IA 50014. ISBN 978-0-8138-2014-9. 2011. Price $79.99.
Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Disorders in Small Animal Practice (4th edition)
Reviewed by Marie E. Kerl, DVM, MPH, DACVIM, DACVECC
The fourth edition of Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Disorders in Small Animal Practice is on the must-read list for any veterinarian who uses fluid therapy in clinical practice. It is mandatory study material for any resident in clinical specialty training. It is hard to believe that anything could have been improved on from previous editions; however, Dr. DiBartola has outdone himself with the fourth edition of this vital reference.
The text is well organized. It begins with applied physiology of fluid balance and renal physiology. The next section covers in detail specific electrolyte and acid-base disorders. I use this text and refer students and house officers to it daily because each review of a serum biochemical profile provides new opportunities to reinforce excellent knowledge and practice through the study of pathophysiology. The section on fluid therapy starts with the basics of what and how, with excellent images, figures, and tables. Chapters focus on topics such as fluid administration and management in specific scenarios, such as during surgery, and on animals with hepatic, gastrointestinal, endocrine, or renal disease. Finally, there are individual chapters on each special treatment (transfusion, enteral and parenteral nutrition, dialytic therapies, and macromolecular therapies). Similar to prior editions, the information is combined in one concise, easy-to-navigate resource.
Although there is no doubt as to the worth of this text, one might ask whether there is sufficient new information in the fourth edition to warrant purchase. The answer is a resounding yes! In the fluid therapy sections, new authors for the chapters on renal failure and shock syndromes have provided a refreshed perspective. Other chapters have been written by the same authors as in preceding editions, but with updated information and references. All references are printed at the end of each chapter—a feature that has sadly been omitted from many current textbooks as a space-saving measure. Dedicated study of this material on an ongoing basis will improve a reader's patient care in practice.—By Stephen P. DiBartola. 744 pages; illustrated. Elsevier, 11830 Westline Industrial Dr, St Louis, MO 63146. ISBN 978-1-4377-0654-3. 2012. Price $115.00.
Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook (7th edition)
Reviewed by Roger Hostutler, DVM, MS, DACVIM
Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook is perhaps the most extensive and comprehensive source of drug information pertaining to veterinary medicine currently available. Similar to previous editions, the seventh edition provides an alphabetic listing of the most commonly used drugs in dogs, cats, farm animals, and exotic animals. Each drug monograph contains a prescriber highlights section that denotes information considered imperative when prescribing a given medication. The monograph includes detailed information regarding all aspects of the prescribed drugs. The specific drug information includes appropriate uses, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, contraindications, adverse effects, reproductive and neonatal safety, toxicity information, drug interactions, doses, monitoring, client information, storage information, synonyms, dosage forms and regulatory status, and a list of references. It must be mentioned that the listed doses are often extremely extensive and thorough. A selected dosage may be based on research or empirical in nature.
The seventh edition has been updated with the addition of information on 22 drugs, updated dosages and information for existing drugs, removal of information on 8 drugs that have been withdrawn from the market, and the replacement of certain drugs with alternative and superior treatments. The appendix also provides a vast amount of valuable information. This includes an extensive listing of ophthalmic and dermatologic products. Additionally, there is information on laboratory reference ranges for a vast array of species, a list of helpful telephone numbers and websites, tables on parenteral fluids, and common prescription abbreviations, just to name a few. Changes to the appendix from the preceding edition include removal of chemotherapy therapeutic diet tables. These have been removed for the best interests of patients, given the rapidly changing literature and therapeutic recommendations.
This book should be viewed as a resource and valuable asset to any veterinarian's library. Veterinary students, veterinary technicians, general practitioners, pharmacists who prescribe or compound veterinary drugs, and specialists should consider it as a part of their day-to-day practice.—By Donald C. Plumb. 1,187 pages; not illustrated. Wiley-Blackwell, 2121 State Ave, Ames, IA 50014. ISBN 978-0-4709-5964-0. 2011. Price $79.99.
Kirk and Bistner's Handbook of Veterinary Procedures and Emergency Treatment (9th edition)
Reviewed by Heather K. Mineo, DVM, DACVECC
I am a long-standing fan of Kirk and Bistner's Handbook of Veterinary Procedures and Emergency Treatment and was pleased to find that the ninth edition retains the consistent quality and easy-to-access format of previous versions. This book is well-rounded and a good reference for any general practitioner, emergency veterinarian, or board-certified specialist. There are detailed, step-by-step instructions for numerous veterinary procedures as well as informative illustrations and pictures; all of these are clear and easy to follow. I found the quick references on the inside front cover to be a user-friendly method for accessing information, rather than having to labor over information from the more traditional index. The book is separated into emergency medicine, patient evaluation, clinical signs, advanced procedures, and laboratory diagnosis and testing. The clinical signs section is particularly helpful in guiding practitioners down the appropriate diagnostic and treatment pathway. It is a unique approach to more advanced emergency medicine. The section on laboratory testing protocols is extremely useful in determining the samples that must be collected from a patient and handling of those samples to yield accurate test results. The formulary is comprehensive. Overall, this is a great all-in-one reference book.—By Richard B. Ford & Elisa M. Mazzaferro. 765 pages; illustrated. Elsevier, 11830 Westline Industrial Dr, St Louis, MO 63146. ISBN 978-1-4377-0798-4. 2012. Price $87.95.
Veterinary Infection Prevention and Control
Reviewed by Helen Aceto, PhD, VMD
Compared with human medicine, and outside the realms of the surgical suite and isolation ward, veterinarians have been slow to embrace the need for comprehensive infection control procedures in veterinary hospitals. The need to intensify and broaden the scope of veterinary infection control currently receives much greater attention, such that many recent textbooks include chapters on the topic. However, to my knowledge, there has not been a single text that all-inclusively addresses the issue of veterinary infection control. Veterinary Infection Prevention and Control attempts to do just that and will be of interest to all veterinary practitioners involved with infection control, veterinary technicians acting as infection control coordinators, and practice managers who want to develop infection control best practices for their large or small animal clinic. The book briefly reviews salient characteristics of the many infectious, contagious, and zoonotic diseases. Some good, practical guidelines on disease prevention strategies, effective cleaning and disinfection techniques, and mundane but critical topics such as the handling of laundry are also covered in specific chapters. However, 6 of 14 chapters focus on best practices for the handling of medical equipment, principally in a surgical context. Although this is useful information and should to some extent be part of any book dedicated to the topic of infection control, this area is adequately covered in surgical texts. More in-depth coverage of other areas, such as facilities design and materials use, new technologies applicable to veterinary infection control, potential regulatory issues, and some discussion of cost-to-benefit ratios, would have been appropriate. Moreover, because many nosocomial infections are likely acquired outside of the surgical suite, this should have been the area of greatest emphasis. Although there will undoubtedly be differences among facilities, it would also have been valuable to include tables that emphasize the most important nosocomial and zoonotic infections in large and small animal settings; unfortunately, these are given rather brief coverage in the main text. A number of spelling errors throughout the text and on several of the flow charts are disappointing to see. The appendices are reasonably useful, particularly the dilution guide, but Appendix C (Table of Disease Transmission and Disinfection Guidelines) is far from comprehensive. A companion website also exists, but its content is limited to review questions and answers for each chapter, figures from the book, and additional resources. Despite the criticisms, this book offers some good information to individuals concerned with infection control and the modest price makes it worthy of consideration for any veterinarian's bookshelf.—By Linda Caveney & Barbara Jones, with Kimberley Ellis. 299 pages; illustrated. Wiley-Blackwell, 2121 State Ave, Ames, IA 50014. ISBN 978-0-8138-1534-3. 2011. Price $59.99.
Essentials of Veterinary Parasitology
Reviewed by Ann R. Donoghue, DVM, MS
There are a number of excellent texts on veterinary parasitology. While a new text on an old subject may be refreshing or enlightening, Essentials of Veterinary Parasitology does not fall into either of these categories.
This book does have a unique approach. Similar to other texts, there are individual chapters for each parasite class (Trematoda, for example). However, within the chapter, each parasite is listed alphabetically on the basis of a regionally used common name for the parasite or the disease it causes, rather than by the genus name or other universally recognized descriptor. This arrangement makes for interesting instruction on common names in colloquial use, but it is not particularly helpful for veterinarians or students of parasitology who need to quickly find information. For example, Dirofilaria immitis is included alphabetically between dioctophymosis and habronemiasis. Also, the trichostrongylid parasites of ruminants are all grouped together (under Parasitic gastroenteritis) and placed between oxyuriasis and spirocercosis.
The color photographs and drawings are visually pleasing and nicely reproduced. However, images on the life cycles differ with regard to orientation: some go in a clockwise direction, some have no indication of direction, and some have a vertical orientation. The life cycle images appear to be from a variety of sources and are not consistent with regard to terms, layout, or illustration.
The sections on ectoparasites will not be particularly relevant for readers in North America. All mite and tick species are covered in only 6 pages, with 2 pages for all hard and soft ticks. There is no description of the species found in North America. There is a short chapter on tick-borne diseases; however, it only describes the diseases transmitted by Ixodes ricinus, a hard tick not found in North America.
The chapter on controlling parasites is superficial, with broad statements and generalizations that do not provide sufficient information to design a parasite control program. This is in contrast to the chapter on management of resistance, which is extremely thorough. The chapter on antiparasitic drugs is detailed but also superficial, with detail on some drugs but not others. Some drugs are described by class of drug, and others are grouped as other anthelmintics.
Throughout the book, there are a number of grammatical errors and inconsistencies with regard to language and layout. Veterinarians and students should use other textbooks on veterinary parasitology. This text is not an essential part of a veterinary library.—By Hany M. Elsheikha & Naveed Ahmed Khan. 221 pages; illustrated. Caister Academic Press, International Specialized Book Services. 920 NE 58th Ave, Ste 300, Portland, OR 97213. ISBN 978-1-904455-79-0. 2011. Price $99.00.
Blackwell's Five-Minute Veterinary Consult Clinical Companion: Canine and Feline Infectious Diseases and Parasitology (2nd edition)
Reviewed by Carmela Pratt, DVM, MS, DACVIM
The second edition of Blackwell's Five-Minute Veterinary Consult Clinical Companion: Canine and Feline Infectious Diseases and Parasitology covers select diseases in a similar manner as Blackwell's Five-Minute Veterinary Consult: Canine and Feline; however, the second edition of Blackwell's Five-Minute Veterinary Consult Clinical Companion: Canine and Feline Infectious Diseases and Parasitology contains additional valuable descriptive images. In addition, useful tables that outline effective drugs and dosages are available in most chapters. The appendix contains an updated anthelmintic and drug formulary that is provided in a user-friendly table format. This text is not designed to be an all-inclusive reference, but it contains some of the more relevant infectious and parasitic diseases encountered in dogs and cats, with the information provided concisely in bullet point format. Most of the images are in color, although some of the cytologic and endoscopic images are out of focus. A few of the radiographic images could have benefited from the use of arrows to indicate the structures listed in the author's description in the caption and assist readers in identifying key features. Despite these minor flaws, the images are effective at educating readers in diagnosis. The information in this edition is similar to that in the first edition, except the second edition has essential updates, including the addition of a chapter on canine influenza and expansion of other topics such as aspergillosis in dogs. All of the chapters cite current references; however, there are a select few chapters that fail to include mention of newer diagnostic or treatment methods. Although expensive, this well-organized text contains essential information to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of infectious and parasitic diseases. Overall, this text is useful as a quick reference and is best suited for general practitioners and veterinary students.—By Stephen C. Barr & Dwight D. Bowman. 634 pages; illustrated. Wiley-Blackwell, 2121 State Ave, Ames, IA 50014. ISBN 978-0-8138-2012-5. 2012. Price $99.99.
Blackwell's Five-Minute Veterinary Consult: Small Mammal (2nd edition)
Reviewed by Sue Chen, DVM, DABVP
The second edition of Blackwell's Five-Minute Veterinary Consult: Small Mammal is a worthwhile investment for any general practitioner who treats rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs, chinchillas, rats, gerbils, hamsters, or mice. It provides a great starting point for veterinary students and recent graduates as well as busy practitioners to quickly access information in times of diagnostic dilemmas or when evaluating a species with which they are unfamiliar. Each species has its own sections, but hamsters, rats, gerbils, and mice are included together in the rodent section. In each section, the alphabetically organized topics are distilled into manageable and bulleted easy-to-find bits of information. Pathophysiology, clinical signs, differential diagnoses, diagnostic tests, treatment options, and recommended follow-up are listed for each condition. Additional conditions are cross-referenced, and a list of suggested readings at the end of each topic allows readers to delve deeper into the subject if need be. The text is more heavily weighted and detailed for ferrets and rabbits because there is more research and information for these 2 species, compared with the information available for the other species. Full-colored anatomic figures of ferrets and rabbits are provided on the inside covers. The appendices contain commonly used drug dosages, biodata, and physiologic values for each species. A companion website to the book also conveniently provides client education handouts for some of the more commonly seen conditions. The book provides to-the-point content that is expected from the series and is priced consistently with other books in Blackwell's Five-Minute series.—By Barbara L. Oglesbee. 692 pages; illustrated. Wiley-Blackwell, 2121 State Ave, Ames, IA 50014. ISBN 978-0-8138-2018-7. 2011. Price $99.99.
Comparative Anatomy of the Mouse and the Rat: A Color Atlas and Text
Reviewed by Diana G. Scorpio, DVM, MPH, DACLAM
Comparative Anatomy of the Mouse and Rat: A Color Atlas and Text is an excellent publication provided by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science. The main initiative for developing the project and publishing the book is to assist scientific investigators and veterinary professionals and paraprofessionals in the identification of landmarks and features of various anatomic structures for use in veterinary practice and in research-related procedures, such as blood collection, injections, surgery, and necropsy. The book is rather comprehensive because it covers all organ systems in both mice and rats. Illustrations for each species are placed side by side to aid in understanding comparative rodent anatomy. The book covers males and females of both species and diverse age groups, from neonates at various days after birth to juveniles and finally to adults. Because the book is expertly illustrated, it provides exquisite detail of every organ system, proceeding from external to internal and cranial to caudal. Then, the dissection of each organ is described and the substructures are labeled. There is also a substantial amount of text that accompanies the illustrations, which provides readers with additional detail to supplement the visual aids. Because the book focuses on facilitation of biomedical research procedures, important areas such as the neck, tail, and limbs are given substantial attention, which again makes it a perfect reference for training of research staff and animal care and use staff. A few additional features that make the book a valuable resource is that it is spiral bound; thus, it lays flat for viewing on laboratory bench tops, in biosafety cabinets, and on other surfaces. It has plenty of blank space around the illustrations for additional notes and comments by readers. Finally, the book is fairly priced. In fact, for the amount of illustrative work provided by the veterinary anatomist, I strongly believe that this book is a bargain for the quality and content it provides. I reiterate that this book will have application to a wide audience who use rodents in biomedical research, although I caution neuroscientists that the section on neuroanatomy is limited and other atlases that focus solely on the rodent brain in cross section are available and are a more appropriate resource.—By Gheorghe M. Constantinescu. 261 pages; illustrated. American Association of Laboratory Animal Science, 9190 Crestwyn Hills Dr, Memphis, TN 38125. ISBN 978-0-9789207-2-2. 2011. Price $125.00.
