books for veterinarians
Clinical Veterinary Advisor: Birds and Exotic
Pets Jörg Mayer & Thomas M. Donnelly
752 pages and companion website. 2013. Elsevier. ISBN 978-1-4160-3969-3. Price $99.95.
According to the editors, Clinical Veterinary Advisor: Birds and Exotic Pets was written “to bring together an overview of conditions commonly seen in general practice and to offer a standardized approach on how to evaluate and deal with each clinical scenario.” The text is organized into 6 sections: diseases and disorders, procedures and techniques, differential diagnosis, laboratory tests, clinical algorithms, and zoonoses. It covers invertebrates, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, rabbits, ferrets, and other small mammals in sufficient depth that clinicians should be able to diagnose and make clinical decisions without going to additional references. The companion website is easy to access and readily conforms to users’ laptops, tablets, or smartphones. The website contains a searchable, digital version of the text with color images and nearly 90 printable client education sheets not found in the book.
This book is well written and loaded with good, useable, practical information. The template-based format makes information easy to find. Subject matter is indexed both alphabetically and by species. Diseases and clinical procedures are described in detail, and many diagnostic and treatment options are generally offered. For most species and diseases, drug dosages are provided within the text, negating the need to refer to a separate formulary. I especially liked the “clinical pearls” section provided for each topic, which makes the book seem less dry and more like a real consultation with an experienced practitioner.
I highly recommended this book for all exotic animal practitioners. Companion animal, zoo, and lab animal veterinarians will find this book extremely useful because of its condensed, easy-to-read format. Experienced veterinarians will refer to it for the latest on diseases they commonly encounter and as a primer for conditions they do not see every day, and those with less experience with exotics will want to read it from cover to cover.
Reviewed by Daniel H. Johnson, DVM, DABVP
(Exotic Companion Mammals) Avian and Exotic Animal Care Raleigh, NC
Slatter's Fundamentals of Veterinary Ophthalmology (5th edition)
David J. Maggs, Paul E. Miller, & Ron Ofri
506 pages. 2013. Elsevier. ISBN 978-1-4377-2367-0. Price $132.00.
The fifth edition of Slatter's Fundamentals of Veterinary Ophthalmology updates what was already an excellent ophthalmology resource for veterinary students and practitioners. The field of veterinary ophthalmology is broad, and new data, techniques, diseases, and treatments are discovered regularly, which necessitates that textbooks be updated regularly. The authors have responded to requests to expand the chapters on vision, pharmacology, eyelid surgery, tear film disturbances, and retinal diseases. This edition continues to provide useful information for both small animal and large animal practitioners and includes a chapter on ophthalmology of exotic pets. However, as is typical of veterinary ophthalmology practice, the book focuses mostly on the eyes of dogs and cats. This edition continues to manage the balance between providing a breadth of information and condensing that information in a manner that can be easily assimilated by readers. It is full of helpful tips that are highlighted throughout each chapter. Additionally, each chapter has excellent tables that include useful clinical signs, differential diagnoses, and treatment options. The numerous color figures are relevant and of good quality as are the color plates that depict anatomy and diagnostic and surgical procedures. This book will be an excellent addition to any practitioner's library.
Reviewed by Ralph E. Hamor, DVM, MS, DACVO
University of Illinois Urbana, Ill
Advanced Monitoring and Procedures for Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care
Jamie M. Burkitt Creedon & Harold Davis
871 pages and companion website. 2012. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 978-0-8138-1337-0. Price $129.99.
Advanced Monitoring and Procedures for Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care is a comprehensive, current, and applicable resource for both veterinary clinicians and technicians. It is authored by multiple respected international experts in the specialty of veterinary emergency and critical care. The format of the book is unique and focuses on the how and when for most, if not all, procedures and techniques commonly used in veterinary emergency and critical care. The sections are well organized, and the discussions of disease and pathophysiology, although abbreviated given the focus of the text, are appropriate to orient the reader to the topics involved. The figures and illustrations are good and augment the descriptions of equipment and techniques in the text. The index is organized well and supplements the table of contents, which makes cross-referencing and access to information easy for readers. The cost of the book is appropriate for the value it provides as a unique and useful resource for all practitioners of veterinary emergency and critical care medicine.
Reviewed by Robert J. Murtaugh, DVM, MS, DACVECC, DACVIM
VCA All Care Referral Center Fountain Valley, Calif
Behavior Problems of the Dog & Cat (3rd edition)
Gary Landsberg, Wayne Hunthausen, & Lowell Ackerman
454 pages and companion website. 2013. Elsevier. ISBN 978-0-7020-4335-2. Price $99.95.
Behavior Problems of the Dog & Cat is the new and expanded third edition of a text previously titled Handbook of Behavior Problems of the Dog and Cat by the same trio of authors. Each author brings considerable expertise and private practice experience to the collaboration. Landsberg is a board-certified veterinary behaviorist, Hunthausen is a veterinary behavior consultant, and Ackerman is a board-certified veterinary dermatologist. Additional contributions to the text have been made by a cadre of internationally known experts. The authors have incorporated information from the many recent scientific articles about veterinary behavior to create a book that is both clinically pragmatic and scientifically grounded. The importance of veterinary evaluation, the human-animal bond, and positive principles in animal management permeate all aspects of the text. The fact that this book is now in its third edition emphasizes its usefulness to companion animal practitioners, who need a ready guide to aid in the diagnosis and management of canine and feline behaviorial problems.
Compared with previous editions, this edition has been expanded considerably, with additional emphasis on prevention, diagnosis, and management and treatment of behaviorial problems in dogs and cats. Included in this edition is a new chapter that describes techniques to reduce the anxiety of pets during veterinary visits. The chapter on pharmacologic intervention in behavioral therapy has been expanded and can be used in conjunction with the comprehensive behavioral drug formulary. Case examples are liberally distributed throughout the book to guide the application of the principles described. Each chapter has a color-coded tab, and there are clear headings, tables, bullet points, and color photos to facilitate navigation of the book, although the relatively faint text in the shaded tables may prompt some readers to seek better light and reading glasses. The book, when purchased, has a clever scratch-off activation code that allows the reader Internet access to a library of electronic forms, including client handouts, checklists, and other materials. These can be customized to one's practice, further enhancing the usefulness of this edition.
This book should be on the reference shelf of every companion animal practice. Priced under $100 (and with a Kindle Edition available), it will be used daily.
Reviewed by Barbara L. Sherman, PhD, DVM, DACVB, DACAW
North Carolina State University Raleigh, NC
Genetics and the Behavior of Domestic Animals (2nd edition)
Temple Grandin & Mark J. Deesing
485 pages. 2014. Elsevier. ISBN 978-0-12-394586-0. Price $99.95.
The second edition of Genetics and The Behavior of Domestic Animals offers readers the latest information regarding the behavior of common domestic animals, with specific chapters devoted to avian, bovine, canine, equine, and porcine species. With the unraveling of the animal genome, behavioral phenotypes are being associated with intricacies of genotype. Animal behavior is 1 small aspect of an animal's phenotype, but it is crucially important in the health and well-being of the animal. This book investigates the influence of domestication, genetics, and environment in the development of an animal's behavior. The editors of the book have brought together authors with diverse cultural and scientific backgrounds, who provide the reader with information on animal welfare as it relates to behavior on an international level. Likewise, the editors accomplish their goal of bridging the gap between behavioral genetics and behavioral research.
The book begins with a brief review of animal behavior terminology and molecular genetics, which adequately prepares readers to appreciate the material discussed within the following chapters. All of the chapters are well referenced, which allows readers to delve into areas of specific interest. The text is easy to read and has a good blend of theory and associated research and practical information that can be used in everyday circumstances. For those interested in behavioral research, reviews on how behavioral research is conducted are provided within various chapters. Likewise, throughout various chapters, those involved in animal breeding will find information related to behavioral traits and genetic selection to enhance animal handling and welfare in household as well as in production settings.
This book will be of interest and value to students studying animal or veterinary sciences, especially those unfamiliar with the differences in animal behaviors among various species. Additionally, veterinarians, animal scientists, and stockmen involved in the management and welfare of animals will find the book beneficial in their daily handling of livestock.
Reviewed by Kevin D. Pelzer, DVM, MPVM, DACVPM
Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine Blacksburg, Va
Handbook of Equine Parasite Control
Craig R. Reinemeyer & Martin K. Nielsen
224 pages. 2012. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 978-0-4706-5871-0. Price $69.99.
This horse parasitology text provides a good overview of principles for students and an excellent guide for practicing veterinarians. The Handbook of Equine Parasite Control includes sections on equine parasite biology, life cycle, pathology, and factors affecting parasite transmission. Principles of parasite control are reviewed and include an assessment of parasitologically important information such as a review of patient history, detection of resistance, and the use of diagnostics and other evidence-based techniques.
As an added bonus, the text contains 20 case histories (clinical assessment, laboratory findings, and treatment) followed by questions to ponder. One can use these exercises to evaluate knowledge retained from reading the rest of the book. The succinct answers inform readers and refer them back to prior chapters for more information on topics when needed.
Some of the information provided in this paperback text is similar to that recently published by the American Association of Equine Practitioners in their 2013 Parasite Control Guidelines. Martin Nielsen, the well-respected second author of this text, served as the chair of the subcommittee that developed those guidelines.
This book emphasizes practical information. The coprology section includes recipes for flotation media and technique descriptions for a simple McMaster egg count, the exceptionally sensitive modified Wisconsin sugar flotation test, and a modified egg-counting method for detection of tapeworms. It also has information on the use of the fecal egg count as a diagnostic, surveillance, and resistance detection tool; the Baermann technique; larval cultures; the scotch tape detection of Oxyuris equi; and a discussion of future diagnostics.
The highly technical nature of the text is necessary, but thankfully it is interposed with high-quality images of various stages of parasites and interjected with an occasional tongue-in-cheek comment or bit of trivia to keep the reader interested. Some of the images would almost be stunning were it not for the subject matter. Anoplocephala perfoliata is well represented with a marvelous backlit individual picture and a group shot near the ileocecal valve with vibrant colors that make the subjects pop off the page. Describing a successful host-parasite relationship, the authors observe that “the host provides shelter and sustenance so a resident population of worms can reproduce, and the tenants refrain from destroying their domicile. Vandalism is optional.” When describing Parascaris univalens, they note “it is an interesting item of trivia that the biologic phenomenon of mitosis was first observed in the eggs of P univalens.” Good to know.
The chapters on detection of parasite resistance, evaluation of history, and a synopsis of evidence-based parasite control round out the text before the case histories are presented. An index of abbreviations would have been helpful, especially for students, but practicing equine veterinarians will readily recognize most of the abbreviations used. This valuable handbook will serve the veterinary profession well.
Reviewed by Tad B. Coles, DVM
Medical Writing and Veterinary Consulting Overland Park, Kan
Microbial Effux Pumps: Current Research
Edward W. Yu, Qijing Zhang, & Melissa H. Brown
257 pages. 2013. Caister Academic Press, distributed by International Specialized Book Services. ISBN 978-1-908230-21-8. Price $319.00.
Microbial Efflux Pumps: Current Research provides a detailed description of the efflux pumps used for cellular export in both simple and complex organisms. It does an excellent job of highlighting the conserved basic structure of these proteins across kingdoms as well as how genes encoding these proteins in lower organisms including bacteria have been mutated, duplicated, or inverted for use in eukaryotes. The early chapters of the book address the structure and function of the major categories of efflux pumps and how they act to perform normal processes from ion flux to neurotransmitter release. Included in these chapters are highly detailed descriptions of well-characterized efflux machinery and how these protein complexes provide polyspecificity for compound export, with specific implications for conferring resistance to heavy metals, environmental hazards (bile salts, detergents, and solvents), and therapeutic drugs. The remaining chapters of the book discuss examples of potential high-consequence pathogens, with descriptions of the discoveries related to the specific processes these microbes use to evade chemical treatment and produce compounds that damage competing organisms. In the Plate section, X-ray structures are provided in color, which makes understanding efflux pump construction and chemical interactions easier to visualize than do black-and-white diagrams in the text.
This text provides valuable information about the mechanisms of microbial and cellular drug resistance development. It will be useful to research scientists investigating microbial and cellular adaptation, for pharmaceutical experts evaluating potential chemotherapeutic compounds, and for clinicians wanting to understand the mechanisms of drug resistance and reasons for treatment failure.
Reviewed by Kristin A. Clothier, DVM, PhD, DACVM
University of California-Davis Davis, Calif
books for veterinary technicians
Anatomy and Physiology for Veterinary Technicians and Nurses: A Clinical Approach
Robin Sturtz & Lori Asprea
149 pages and companion website. 2012. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 978-0-8138-2264-8. Price $49.99.
Anatomy and Physiology for Veterinary Technicians and Nurses: A Clinical Approach is a well-organized and practical text for veterinary nursing staff. This book is comprised of 2 sections, anatomy and physiology. Chapters within each section include real-life case scenarios as well as a self-assessment quiz. The information is presented in a systematic, thoughtful way, beginning with anatomic directional terminology and building from there. The physiology chapters are cross-referenced to the corresponding anatomy chapters to enhance understanding of the relationship between anatomy and physiology. Appendices include dissection notes and information about cranial nerves and origin and insertion of selected muscles. Following the appendices are reference materials such as a glossary and index as well as the answers to the self-assessment quizzes.
Although the majority of the book's content is focused on small animals, the text does include comparative aspects for ruminants, horses, and birds. The pictures within the text are a combination of detailed illustrations, computer-generated images, and labeled dissection photographs. The majority of the illustrations are clearly labeled; however, a number of labeled parts in the dissection photographs are difficult to read.
Purchase of this text includes access to a companion website, which contains figures from the book, additional quiz questions and answers, labeling quizzes, instructional presentations, and a dissection video. This text is a nice addition to the reference library for veterinary technicians and nursing staff as well as a great resource for veterinary technician students.
Reviewed by Julia A. Bates, DVM, DACVIM
Madison Veterinary Specialists Madison, Wis
Practical Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging (2nd edition)
Suzanne Easton
244 pages and companion website. 2012. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 978-0-4706-5648-8. Price $59.99.
The second edition of Practical Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging focuses primarily on diagnostic radiology. The first 3 chapters consist of a review of basic mathematics and physics used in radiology that provide a nice transition to the subsequent chapters on understanding the basics of radiology and radiographic equipment including clear descriptions of the X-ray tube, how x-rays are produced, and the interactions of radiation with tissue. Three chapters are devoted to radiographic film and include discussions on intensifying screens and cassettes and the processing of radiographic film, whereas only 1 chapter is devoted to describing digital radiography. This emphasis will likely need to change in future editions as digital radiography becomes more prevalent than film-screen techniques. A chapter devoted to radiation protection is written exclusively in accordance with the rules and regulations of the United Kingdom where manual restraint of patients for radiographic procedures is not allowed. The chapter on small animal radiographic techniques has excellent images of how patients can be positioned without manual restraint. A chapter on contrast media describes several contrast procedures and provides information regarding positioning and doses for various contrast media, although some of these doses seem low (eg, the doses provided for an upper gastrointestinal tract series and IV urogram); however, this might be personal preference. The chapters on ultrasonography and advanced imaging techniques are necessarily brief and superficial given the main goal of this book. The section on fluoroscopy gives the impression that radiation doses with this imaging modality are less problematic than those of traditional radiography because exposure is minimal. This is misleading considering the much longer exposure times associated with fluoroscopy, compared with those of routine radiography, and the author does state that safety precautions must not be relaxed. This textbook provides a nice overview of the technical aspects of veterinary radiology and will be useful for veterinary technicians and veterinary students.
Reviewed by Martha Moon Larson, DVM, MS, DACVR
Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine Blacksburg, Va
