Book Reviews

books for veterinarians

Fish Vetting Essentials Richmond Loh & Matt Landos

215 pages. 2012. Richmond Loh Publishing. ISBN 978-0-9871571-0-2. Price $103.20.

article image

Fish Vetting Essentials is the first fish book that I have read from cover to cover. I am quite impressed with how easy it is to read and how thoroughly the subject matter is covered. The title is most appropriate for the material. The book provides readers with essential information, starting with water quality parameters and progressing to more advanced topics such as reproduction, breeding, and surgery. Some of the sections, including those on radiology and ultrasonography, could have been expanded, and perhaps some images of surgical procedures would have been helpful in illustrating the descriptions. The main weakness is that the chapters and sections are not identified or numbered, so it makes it quite hard to refer back to specific sections of interest. A lot of the references to rules and regulations are specific for Australia, so readers need to do some research on the appropriate and legal practice of veterinary medicine in the country in which they practice fish medicine. Overall, this book offers a great overview of fish medicine, and it can also be used as a quick field guide because there are plenty of practical images. I give it 2 fins up and recommend it for those veterinarians who need a concise review of fish medicine as well as those who are venturing into the underwater world of fish medicine for the first time.

Reviewed by Jose Biascoechea, DVM, DABVP

Birds and Exotics Animal Care, Mount Pleasant, SC.

Management of Pregnant and Neonatal Dogs, Cats, and Exotic Pets Cheryl Lopate

323 pages. 2012. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 978-0-8138-0793-5. Price $69.99.

article image

Management of Pregnant and Neonatal Dogs, Cats, and Exotic Pets consists of 18 chapters and is a comprehensive yet practical reference text. The first 12 chapters are on the canine and feline species. Topics covered include kennel and cattery management, canine and feline reproductive physiology during pregnancy and parturition, assessment of fetal well-being in bitches and queens, neonatal resuscitation, neonatal disorders, congenital defects and genetic counseling, neonatal development, and management of orphan puppies and kittens. Management of clinically challenging cases (eg, fading puppy and fading kitten syndromes) is also discussed. The last 6 chapters cover similar breeding management topics in guinea pigs, small rodents, hedgehogs, sugar gliders, and chinchillas.

The text provides a current and comprehensive review of relevant studies and the published literature. The contributing authors hail from diverse professional environments and bring their expansive breadth and depth of knowledge and experience to the book. One of the strengths of this book is that the scientific literature is discussed in light of its practical application in clinical settings.

The book is ambitious in its mission to be a complete resource for veterinary practitioners, veterinary students, veterinary technicians, and professional breeders. Lay readers may need to avail themselves of a medical dictionary. The many tables, illustrations, and photographs, particularly the high-quality color photographs, are appropriate and useful. All in all, I highly recommend this modestly priced book, and it will be a welcome addition to my reference shelf.

Reviewed by Jane A. Barber, DVM, MS, DACT

Veterinary Specialties at the Lake, Sherrills Ford, NC.

Veterinary Dentistry: A Team Approach (2nd edition) Steven E. Holmstrom

434 pages. 2012. Elsevier. ISBN 978-1-4557-0322-7. Price $59.95.

article image

As the title suggests, the second edition of Veterinary Dentistry: A Team Approach is geared toward every member of the veterinary dental team and is appropriate for all levels of skill and knowledge, from veterinary technicians to veterinarians with specialized training. This second edition includes many excellent images and an outline at the beginning of each chapter to provide readers with an overview of the key terms and objectives to be covered. Worksheets are located at the end of each chapter to allow readers to test their knowledge and reinforce information retention, with answers provided in an appendix at the end of the book. Some of the topics covered in this edition include oral examination, equipment, local anesthesia, periodontal disease, dental radiology, and extractions. There are also species-specific chapters on feline dentistry and rodent, lagomorph, and ferret dentistry as well as a chapter on advanced dental procedures and one on marketing veterinary dentistry.

Focus on correct dental terms and definitions is emphasized throughout the book, and an appendix of the American Veterinary Dental College–approved definitions is provided. This is an excellent resource for those pursuing specialty certification in veterinary dentistry, although it should be mentioned that some terms and definitions have changed since this edition was published. Other appendices include American Veterinary Dental College–approved abbreviations for charting and recording purposes and an inventory list of dental equipment.

Reviewed by Kendall G. Taney, DVM, DAVDC

Center for Veterinary Dentistry and Oral Surgery, Gaithersburg, Md.

Veterinary Hematology and Clinical Chemistry (2nd edition): Mary Anna Thrall, Glade Weiser, Robin W. Allison, & Terry W. Campbell

762 pages. 2012. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 978-0-8138-1027-0. Price $99.99.

article image

The second edition of Veterinary Hematology and Clinical Chemistry, with a main goal of providing an image-rich, readable resource addressing routine laboratory diagnostic testing in veterinary medicine, is primarily targeted toward veterinary students and general practitioners focused on both domestic and exotic species. However, similar to the first edition, it also can be a valuable resource for veterinary clinical pathologists, pathology residents, internists, and exotic species specialists as well as health-care professionals in veterinary facilities and research facilities who utilize veterinary clinical pathology.

The book is organized into 5 sections on general laboratory testing principles, hematology of common domestic species, hematology of common nondomestic species, clinical chemistry of common domestic species, and clinical chemistry of common nondomestic species. New sections retain the outline used in the first edition. Each chapter is divided into subheadings, and in most of the chapters, the information can be easily found. For example, the first chapter provides adequate depth of information to enable veterinary students and veterinarians to understand the specifics of laboratory procedures. This chapter has been updated with a section on the critical approach to laboratory data interpretation and features a more up-to-date revision on the use of immunodiagnostic tests in veterinary medicine and the future trends for such immunodiagnostic testing. Obsolete laboratory procedures have been eliminated.

The second section contains a new chapter on molecular diagnostic tests for hematology malignancies. This chapter elaborates on items such as the PCR assay for antigen receptor rearrangement technique, oncogene detection, and application of flow cytometry. This section also briefly touches on immunocytochemical and cytochemical analysis and provides sufficient detail for veterinary students and general practitioners.

Sections on hematology and clinical chemistry of nondomestic species provide information similar to that in the first edition, but the information has been expanded. They feature tables with current reference intervals for various species and subspecies; however, there are some species (such as primates) that are omitted, in comparison with the first edition.

The highlight of the second edition is an updated and expanded chapter on clinical chemistry of common domestic species that is a substantial improvement over the information in the first edition. Some of the chapters also contain short clinical case examples that immediately allow readers to evaluate their comprehension of the discussed topic. The multiple-author format leads to inconsistencies in writing style, text layouts, and table outlines. The amount of text in some chapters makes it difficult to orient and easily locate desired information.

Most of the images from the first edition have been retained and are of good quality. However, there are images that lack desirable detail and are dark or have uncharacteristic tinctorial properties. The second edition is of great benefit, with new schematic figures and diagrams, especially in the section on Clinical Chemistry of Common Domestic Species. Uniformity with regard to graphics of the diagrams would have been preferable for easier orientation and consistency. Suggested additional readings reflect current book editions and recent articles, and each of the chapters contains appropriate references. Figures, legends, and additional study material can also be found at an accompanying website.

The Clinical Case Presentations supplement is a valuable addition to the first edition, especially for veterinary students and first-year clinical pathology residents, and is now part of the textbook and provides a good resource for interpretation of clinical data.

The second edition certainly fulfills its stated objective and is a valuable resource for its targeted audience. It will also prove to be of benefit for clinical pathology residents and specialists who deal with nondomestic and exotic species.

Reviewed by Ida Piperisova, DVM, DACVP

Antech Diagnostics Lake, Success, NY.

Small Animal Surgery (4th edition) Theresa Welch Fossum

1619 pages, and Internet access to Small Animal Surgery Expert Consult website. 2013. Elsevier. ISBN 978-0-323-07762-0. Price $209.00.

article image

The fourth edition of Small Animal Surgery continues to expand and improve on previous editions. The text is well organized and covers areas of general surgical principles, soft tissue surgery, orthopedics, and neurosurgery. This edition offers more detail in the areas of diagnostic imaging, orthopedics, and anesthesia.

Similar to previous editions, each chapter in the fourth edition begins with definitions and relevant anatomy. Conservative management and preoperative concerns are discussed before the surgical procedures are described. Postoperative care and prognosis are then discussed. Note boxes are included in relevant places so that readers can record special concerns and personal experiences.

This edition offers expanded information on anesthesia that lists recommended preoperative testing, anesthesia-analgesia protocols, monitoring parameters, and postoperative considerations, which are listed and grouped in an easy-to-use format. Many of the drawings from the previous edition are retained in addition to new and improved anatomic drawings and diagnostic imaging photographs.

A nice perk not previously offered is access to the online version of the book, which is easily accessible via a computer and allows readers to search from any location. Links to Medline allow readers to easily research articles, and all images and diagrams are available as downloadable PDF files that can easily be inserted into presentations. This online version includes access to updates and forms (such as postoperative care instructions) for many procedures. A new fracture management application promises to be a helpful interactive tool to assist in decision making.

The many updates, new diagrams, and online access are tremendous improvements. They make the fourth edition of Small Animal Surgery a must-have resource for anyone interested in veterinary surgery.

Reviewed by Jennifer S. MacLeod, VMD, DACVS

Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Center, Langhorne, Pa.

Clinical Manual of Small Animal Endosurgery Alasdair Hotston Moore & Rosa Angela Ragni

321 pages. 2012. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 978-1-4051-9001-5. Price $89.99.

article image

The Clinical Manual of Small Animal Endosurgery is aptly titled, and the information adheres closely to that title. There is a chapter on rigid endoscopy, followed by chapters on diagnostic and therapeutic arthroscopy and laparoscopy, thoracoscopy, cystourethroscopy, upper airway endoscopy, otoscopy, and applications of endosurgery in exotic animals. This manual describes basic tenets of endosurgery, applications, and techniques. The images are helpful; however, some are a bit dark. The arthroscopy chapters are supplemented with helpful suggestions and forms that can be used to record findings. The chapters on laparoscopy are appropriate and describe most procedures that can be performed endoscopically; complications are covered in separate sections.

It is good that this manual includes information on interventional urinary and upper airway endoscopy, which should be easily accomplished after readers gain an understanding of rigid endoscopy and its principles. Many sources do not stress the value of these 2 procedures as extensions of diagnosis into therapeutic interventions. Similarly, the chapter on otoscopy is greatly appreciated. Clinicians are increasingly learning how to expand from diagnostic to therapeutic interventions via endoscopy; in that regard, addressing middle ear conditions is not different from cystoscopy and upper airway endoscopy. The chapter on thoracoscopy describes the possibilities of the techniques. Readers will be well prepared once rigid endoscopy is understood and other endosurgical procedures have been mastered. Readers should also consult the suggested reading in terms of anesthesia and complications associated with endosurgery, which are not stressed strongly in each chapter. It would have been good to see within the chapters separate sections to address anesthesia and complications and the need to convert to open surgery. Each of these topics is mentioned in chapters throughout the manual.

This is a nice handbook on the rapidly expanding field of minimally invasive surgery and will serve as a helpful reference for practitioners interested in this field. It is a good supplement to the growing literature available on this widely accepted modality of minimally invasive surgery.

Reviewed by MaryAnn G. Radlinsky, DVM, MS, DACVS

University of Georgia, Athens, Ga.

books for veterinary technicians

Small Animal Internal Medicine for Veterinary Technicians and Nurses Linda Merrill

532 pages, and website. 2012. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 978-0-8138-2164-1. Price $79.99.

article image

Small Animal Internal Medicine for Veterinary Technicians and Nurses fills a large informational gap for veterinary technicians who wish to pursue advanced training and specialization. The chapters are well organized, and the information is remarkably in depth while still being succinct. The diagrams and summary charts are informative and appropriately located in the text. Nursing care is covered at the end of the book, and most of the chapters are on disease processes and treatments of all organ systems. The information is directed above that needed by entry-level technicians. Many sections provide excellent reviews of physiology appropriate for veterinary students. The author has done a commendable job of organizing this resource, which will help technicians advance their knowledge and skills to increase their value to the veterinary team. This textbook is an excellent addition to the library of any veterinary hospital, especially a specialty practice or academic institution. This softcover textbook is priced so that it should be accessible for its intended readers.

Reviewed by Teresa L. Goodson, DVM, DACVIM

Affliated Veterinary Specialists, Maitland, Fla.

Clinical Small Animal Care: Promoting Patient Health Through Preventative Nursing: Kimm Wuestenberg

273 pages, and website. 2012. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 978-0-8138-0514-6. Price $54.99.

article image

Clinical Small Animal Care: Promoting Patient Health Through Preventative Nursing is an informative text appropriately suited as a resource for veterinary technicians and veterinary assistants at small animal practices. It is written from the perspective of a credentialed veterinary technician specialist who provides practical experience and insight. Introductory information in sections 1, 2, and 3 provides a basis for understanding technical applications of preventative nursing care in small animal practices. Color images and tables are included in all chapters; in a few cases, the in-text references to these graphics are not clear. Section 4 (Comprehensive Areas of Focus) includes nursing procedures organized by body system and provides an overview of patient care and practical applications of the topics. Appendices are well organized, which provides a quick reference for staff. Appendix 5 includes several employee skill and knowledge advancement plans. When used in combination with the companion website, there is an opportunity for structured education and assessment of staff. The website also includes access to the various patient forms included in the text. These additional materials make this a reasonably priced practice resource.

Reviewed by Jolynn Rudman, DVM

Brown Mackie College, South Bend, Ind.

All Time Past Year Past 30 Days
Abstract Views 67 0 0
Full Text Views 1146 1098 271
PDF Downloads 68 39 5
Advertisement