books for veterinarians
Toxic Plants of North America (2nd edition)
George E. Burrows & Ronald J. Tyrl
1,383 pages. 2013. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 978-0-8138-2034-7. Price $299.99.
Written for veterinarians, physicians, toxicologists, pharmacists, poison control and extension specialists, animal scientists, range scientists, farmers, ranchers, agronomists, botanists, horticulturalists, wildlife biologists, ecologists, students, and the public, the second edition of Toxic Plants of North America is a major improvement on its extraordinary predecessor. The authors articulate the need for revision, writing that “In the 11 years since … the first edition, a wealth of toxicological information has been compiled, unknown toxicants identified, mechanisms of intoxication elucidated, and additional reports of problems published.” This edition includes a myriad of taxonomy updates that should prevent reader frustration from learning outdated names. Each section includes line drawings and new color photos, with well-referenced information on toxic mechanisms, disease syndromes, clinical signs, lesions, and treatments for plant intoxications. Abundant inserts within the text highlight take-home messages for urgent clinical situations. A useful appendix lists plants associated with various clinical signs. The index links toxic effects to text on plants that might be responsible for those effects. New to this edition is information about plant intoxications in humans and free-ranging and captive wildlife and the roles of plant secondary compounds and fungal endophytes in intoxications. Compared with the first edition, the second edition contains fewer maps depicting the distribution of toxic plants, but the authors routinely cite Flora of North America and USDA websites, where this type of information is regularly updated. Extensive glossaries of botanical and general terms are provided. The paper, print, and layout of this edition are improved from that of the first edition, which makes it easier to read. This book is reasonably priced and available in hard copy or electronic versions, and as such, I predict it will be a highly used and valued reference by many practitioners, researchers, information specialists, and students.
Reviewed by Val Richard Beasley, DVM, PhD, DABVT
University of Illinois
Urbana, Ill
Antimicrobial Therapy in Veterinary Medicine (5th edition)
Steeve Giguère, John F. Prescott, & Patricia M. Dowling
683 pages. 2013. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 978-0-4709-6302-9. Price $149.99.
Antimicrobial agents are a complex and interesting group of pharmaceuticals. Understanding their effects requires knowledge of their activities against various infectious agents as well as knowledge of the usual parameters of drug disposition and adverse effects in patients. Appropriate use of these drugs also occasionally requires interpretation of laboratory data. At the population level, selective pressure by antimicrobial agents on bacteria living in and around veterinary patients can impact the flora of other animals nearby as well as the environment, regardless of whether that environment be the stockyard or the veterinary hospital. The fifth edition of Antimicrobial Therapy in Veterinary Medicine is a comprehensive reference that discusses all of these facets of antimicrobial therapy in addition to a few more. It serves as a general reference for accessing information about individual drugs and their applications in production, companion, and exotic animal species. The first 6 chapters of the book provide a clear and thorough exposition of basic concepts of antimicrobial pharmacology as well as topics in antimicrobial resistance, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and rational and responsible antimicrobial usage. This book is geared toward academically inclined clinicians and researchers who have a special interest in this topic, inasmuch as some chapters contain esoteric material. I found the previous edition to be a useful gateway to the primary research literature because references were listed at the end of each chapter. This edition is almost identical to the fourth edition, except for the addition of new chapters about antibiosis in zoo animals and antimicrobial stewardship. The cover price is reasonable for readers who have a clinical, educational, or research focus in antimicrobial therapy.
Reviewed by Joshua B. Daniels, DVM, PhD, DACVIM
The Ohio State University
Columbus, Ohio
Atlas of Canine and Feline Peripheral Blood Smears
Amy C. Valenciano, Rick L. Cowell, Theresa E. Rizzi, & Ronald D. Tyler
281 pages. 2014. Elsevier. ISBN 978-0-323-04468-4. Price $81.95.
The Atlas of Canine and Feline Peripheral Blood Smears should find a place in any laboratory where blood smear examinations are performed on specimens obtained from canine or feline patients, and it will also be an excellent teaching aid. This book will be especially useful to veterinary students, veterinary technicians, medical technicians and technologists working in veterinary environments, veterinarians in clinical practice, and veterinary residents. Even those with extensive experience will find it useful for elucidation of blood smear findings not commonly observed in routine practice. It is written in language that is appropriate for its intended audience and adequately covers the abnormalities most readers are likely to encounter. The extensive photomicrographs are almost without exception of very good to excellent quality and make the atlas well worth its price. Particular strengths of this atlas are that it contains photomicrographs that depict multiple variations in the appearance of most of the normal and abnormal cells, organisms, and other elements occasionally identified in blood smears and several handy mosaic photomicrographs that allow for ready comparison of similar-appearing entities that could be potentially confused with each other. The text provided is succinct and adequate for an atlas, but it lacks reference citations, and the addition of references should be considered in future editions. The tips on diagnostic next steps to take when various abnormalities are encountered will be appreciated by many users. The spiral binding is sturdy and facilitates scope-side use.
Reviewed by Marlyn Whitney, DVM, PhD, DACVP
University of Missouri
Columbia, Mo
Clinical Endocrinology of Companion Animals
Jacquie Rand, Ellen N. Behrend, Danièlle Gunn-Moore, & Michelle L. Campbell-Ward
519 pages. 2013. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 978-0-8138-0583-2. Price $99.99.
Clinical Endocrinology of Companion Animals is a comprehensive textbook on endocrine disease in dogs, cats, horses, and exotic companion animals. It is a welcome addition to any veterinary library, providing updated information on common endocrine disorders as well as addressing newer problems such as critical illness–related corticosteroid insufficiency, nontumorous hyperaldosteronism, equine metabolic syndrome, and idiopathic hypercalcemia in cats.
This book represents an international collaboration with 35 authors from 7 countries. It consists of 47 chapters, with one-quarter of those dedicated to endocrine diseases of exotic companion animals, birds, and horses. The layout of each chapter is similar with a highlighted summary of the disease, followed by information on its pathogenesis, signalment, clinical signs, diagnosis, differential diagnoses, treatment, prognosis, and prevention. The text is broken down into short paragraphs, and points are listed with important facts highlighted. References are listed at the end of each chapter but are not cited within the body of the text. This may be frustrating to readers who want to track down particular points. The standardized layout allows for excellent continuity between chapters as well as meeting the editors’ aim to provide practitioners and students with easily accessible information. All chapters were written by specialists with years of research and clinical practice experience in their respective fields. The diagnosis sections contain useful information on the performance, interpretation, and availability of tests. The treatment sections reflect the authors’ expertise in managing affected animals and contain practical recommendations such as the use of desoxycorticosterone pivalate for the treatment of hypoadrenocorticism and mitotane and trilostane for the treatment of hyperadrenocorticism, how to optimize glucose control in diabetic patients, and tips for managing diabetic ketoacidosis. This book is an excellent value for the price and ideal for veterinary students, interns, internal medicine residents, and small animal, exotic animal, and mixed-animal practitioners.
Reviewed by Orla Mahony, MVB, DACVIM
Tufts University
North Grafton, Mass
Veterinary Ophthalmology (5th edition)
Kirk N. Gelatt, Brian C. Gilger, & Thomas J. Kern
2,260 pages. 2013. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 978-0-4709-6040-0. Price $349.99.
The fifth edition of Veterinary Ophthalmology is an excellent reference for those with an interest in veterinary ophthalmology. This 2-volume text is a compilation of chapters written by experts in the field and serves as a valuable resource for clinicians looking for in-depth discussions on the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of ophthalmic disorders. Detailed information on ocular anatomy, pathology, and physiology is provided for both domestic and exotic animal species. Readers are guided through a current review of the literature and anatomy to aid in the understanding of specific ophthalmic disorders. Information is provided in a clear, concise manner and is complimented with numerous tables and images that aid in the presentation and understanding of the subject material.
Compared with previous editions, chapters on ophthalmic disorders of camelids, rabbits, and exotic animals have been added and expanded upon in this edition to provide more detailed and comprehensive information for those species. The chapter on diagnostic techniques has been expanded to include more information and images depicting radiographic procedures, CT scanning, and MRI used for ocular imaging. New to this edition are chapters dedicated to ophthalmic photography and photo editing and fundamentals of ophthalmic microsurgery and instrumentation. Additionally, the chapters on ophthalmic examination techniques, equine, food animal, and neuro-ophthalmology have been extensively revised. Detailed information on genetic and DNA testing and ocular parasitology has also been included.
Reviewed by Renee T. Carter, DVM, DACVO
Baton Rouge Veterinary Specialists
Baton Rouge, La
Veterinary Periodontology
Brook A. Niemiec
358 pages. 2013. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 978-0-8138-1652-4. Price $124.99.
Veterinary Periodontology is intended to be a complete reference on the subject of periodontal disease in dogs and cats, and to date, it is the only veterinary dental text dedicated solely to the topic of periodontal disease. The book covers all facets of the topic from basic physiology and anatomy of periodontal tissues to diagnosis and treatment of clinical disease. It is suitably organized into sections and chapters and includes several helpful appendices of related materials. The book is not specifically organized to be a patient-side clinical reference, and its breadth of coverage makes it seem like a traditional, subject-oriented textbook. However, the extensive use of quality images and illustrations of clinical conditions and techniques provides the clinician with an excellent resource that details clinical diagnostic procedures and treatment techniques. Each chapter has text boxes that contain key points that quickly highlight the nature of its content. Veterinarians interested in advanced dentistry will find that the in-depth nature of the book provides an excellent reference for study of this most common oral disease, and companion animal practitioners will find it a useful and informative resource for many clinical oral procedures. This book is a first-rate, fundamental reference for veterinarians interested in improving the quality of periodontal care for their patients.
Reviewed by Curt R. Coffman, DVM, FAVD, DAVDC
Arizona Veterinary Dental Specialists
Scottsdale, Ariz
Handbook of Veterinary Anesthesia (5th edition)
William W. Muir III, John A. E. Hubbell, Richard M. Bednarski, & Phillip Lerche
600 pages. 2013. Elsevier. ISBN 978-0-323-08063-9. Price $86.95.
The fifth edition of Handbook of Veterinary Anesthesia continues its long tradition of providing useful information to the veterinary community in a clear and concise format. In the preface, the authors were kind enough to address the changes between this edition and previous editions. Those changes include some reorganization of content and inclusion of additional content on topics such as pain and pain management, fluid therapy, and monitoring anesthetized animals. Chapters have been added on anesthetic techniques in camelids to reflect the increase in demand for anesthesia in alpacas and llamas and on perioperative management of body temperature in anesthetized animals. Content on orotracheal intubation has been reorganized into a single chapter to consolidate the information instead of it being located with the individual species as it was in previous editions. New content has been added on integrative medicine to reflect current information in this evolving field and on new methods of assessing response to fluid therapy. Finally, the size of this edition has been increased from 7.375 × 4.375 inches to 8.25 × 5 inches, and the font size has been increased to improve readability.
In the fourth edition, the authors used text boxes to convey important information in a succinct manner. In this edition, the authors have used shading in the headers to increase the visibility of those text boxes. This format immediately attracts the reader's attention to the information in the boxes. For example, text boxes are used to provide information entitled Useful Facts and Cautions for the use of each individual anesthetic drug discussed, which should improve the safety of those drugs when they are administered by readers. The authors have included historical information on use of the thiobarbiturates and halothane, likely on the premise that those drugs may reenter the veterinary market or for international readers who still have access to those drugs. The authors also included information on the use of alfaxalone, a drug available in Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, and several European countries, in anticipation of its release in the United States.
Near the end of the book is a series of chapters devoted to anesthesia of individual species, including a very thorough chapter on anesthesia of exotic species. These chapters collate some information previously presented in the book and provide choices of different anesthetic techniques for the user. They also mention common problems that arise during anesthesia and the solutions to those problems, thereby allowing the reader to be forewarned and forearmed. The chapter on ruminants also includes a table of withdrawal intervals for some of the anesthetic agents, which is a useful addition to this edition.
The authors have accomplished their goal of updating a valued textbook in veterinary anesthesia. This book is full of facts and tips for providing safe anesthesia that have been garnered over the careers of the authors. It is concise and thorough and will serve as a valuable reference for veterinarians, veterinary staff members, and students.
Reviewed by Thomas W. Riebold, DVM, DACVAA
Oregon State University
Corvallis, Ore
Veterinary Techniques for Llamas and Alpacas
David E. Anderson, Meredyth L. Jones, & Matt D. Miesner
348 pages. 2013. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 978-0-8138-1987-7. Price $79.99.
Over the last 30 years, llamas and alpacas have gone from being exotic curiosities to common livestock pets. This has led to a greater demand for veterinary care, which unfortunately often triggers feelings of reluctance or anxiety in the mind of inexperienced practitioners. Veterinary Techniques for Llamas and Alpacas should alleviate many of these negative reactions. This softcover, spiral-bound handbook methodically describes over 70 routine and advanced procedures for llamas and alpacas, ranging from physical examination of individual animals and herd-health procedures to collection of biologic samples and surgical interventions. The book describes each procedure in a standardized format, which includes an outline for the purpose or indication, necessary equipment, recommended restraint, procedural methodology, potential complications, and aftercare. Many descriptions are accompanied by a comprehensive set of photographs, and those for 10 procedures are additionally supported by online videos. Several of the advanced techniques are not described elsewhere, including some that were developed by the authors. In some instances, alternate techniques are discussed and pertinent references are provided. The spiral binding allows the book to remain open to any page so that it may be readily consulted during a procedure.
This book is a good resource for generalists and specialists alike because it outlines everything from common to rare procedures. Veterinary students wishing to learn more about camelids and veterinary technicians preparing for camelid procedures will also benefit from referring to this book. It is reasonably priced and should be in the library of any practice that treats camelids.
Reviewed by Christopher Cebra, VMD, MA, MS, DACVIM
Oregon State University
Corvallis, Ore
Practical Guide to Equine Colic
Louise L. Southwood
356 pages. 2013. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 978-0-8138-1832-0. Price $99.99.
Practical Guide to Equine Colic is a very well-presented and organized book on a topic of considerable importance for veterinary students, interns, and residents. It also provides valuable continuing education for experienced equine practitioners. The flow of the book is logical, starting with a chapter on patient signalment and history that includes useful forms and tables with lists of differential diagnoses. Each commonly performed procedure has a dedicated chapter that contains a comprehensive table of needed equipment followed by a description of the practical applications for that procedure. The book has many contributing authors, all of whom are recognized experts. Many of the topics discussed in this book such as referral criteria, trocharization, biosecurity, special considerations, long-term recovery and prevention, and nutrition have not been well covered in other textbooks. Appendices are provided for clinical scenarios, drug dosages, and reference ranges for hematologic and biochemical analyses as well as conversion tables for commonly encountered units. As with any multi-author production, the chapters vary in quality, but in this instance, the differences are the result of the outstanding quality of some chapters and not by flaws in others. Considerable space in this book is devoted to abdominal ultrasonographic evaluation, which is one of the most critical parts of the colic workup. This chapter is well supported with ultrasound images of excellent quality that clearly demonstrate normal and abnormal abdominal anatomy. Readers can access quizzes for each chapter, additional clinical scenarios, and video demonstrations of surgical procedures online. These nicely augment the comprehensively written descriptions in the text. Although most of the illustrations are clear, some could be enhanced by elimination of the extraneous detail peripheral to the points of interest. The errors and omissions in this book are minor and few. In general, the topic of equine colic is well covered, and this book is a nice, reasonably priced reference for a variety of topics.
Reviewed by David E. Freeman, MVB, PhD, DACVS
University of Florida
Gainesville, Fla
The Mind of the Horse: An Introduction to Equine Cognition
Michel-Antoine Leblanc; translated by Giselle Weiss
464 pages. 2013. Harvard University Press. ISBN 978-0-6747-2496-9. Price $39.95.
The Mind of the Horse: An Introduction to Equine Cognition provides a nice overview of the timely topic of equine cognition. Although the book is titled as an introduction, it is directed toward an audience interested in a comprehensive review of equine behavior and cognition. This is not a how-to book on the prevention and treatment of problem behaviors in horses; rather, it gives the reader an in-depth view of the senses and learning processes of horses. With > 30 pages of references, the author has done an outstanding job of reviewing the applicable literature and transcribing it into a book that reads less like a scientific tome and more like a novel. The book is roughly divided into 2 halves: cognition and learning and perception. The sections on perception more than adequately review the literature on how a horse perceives its environment through visual, auditory, chemical (olfactory, pheromones, and taste), and tactile sensations. The sections on cognition at the beginning of the book are divided into intelligence and cognition and an overview of the anatomy of the equine brain. Although the title of the book would lead one to think that the majority of the text would be dedicated to cognition, it is a relatively small proportion of the book. In fact, the cognition section is limited to a review of animal cognition and learning research, some of which was performed in animals other than horses. This book will be a good reference for readers interested in an advanced review of cognition and perception literature.
Reviewed by Melissa Bain, DVM, MS, DACVB
University of California-Davis
Davis, Calif
Diseases of Poultry (13th edition)
David E. Swayne, John R. Glisson, Larry R. McDougald, Lisa K. Nolan, David L. Suarez, & Venugopal Nair
1,394 pages. 2013. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 978-0-4709-5899-5. Price $229.99.
The 13th edition of Diseases of Poultry, published as a partnership between the American Association of Avian Pathologists (AAAP) and Wiley-Blackwell Publishing, is the encyclopedia of poultry diseases. It contains information on well-known and not so well-known diseases, and large parts of it are dedicated to prevention, control, and poultry health maintenance. Topics in the book are organized by etiologic classification; sections include General Concepts, Viral Diseases, Bacterial Diseases, Fungal Diseases, Parasitic Diseases, Non-infectious Diseases, and Other Diseases. Within each section, information for each specific disease is organized to address history, etiology, pathobiology, diagnosis, and intervention strategies. Thus, this book is a valuable and necessary resource for poultry veterinarians, students, other poultry health professionals, and regulatory officials. It may be less helpful to veterinary practitioners unfamiliar with poultry in general, who only occasionally need information about poultry diseases.
Compared with the 12th edition, the chapters of this edition have been revised and reorganized and frequently contain new sections; for example, there is a new section on the public health significance of poultry diseases. Many new authors have contributed to this edition. Despite the fact that the historical content in this edition was reduced, it is nearly 100 pages longer than the previous edition. New diagnostic information is provided for many diseases. One idiosyncrasy is the disproportionate attention that some diseases receive relative to their prevalence or economic importance. This book is an excellent value for the price, owing mainly to the partnership between the AAAP and Wiley-Blackwell.
Reviewed by David A. Halvorson, DVM, DACPV
University of Minnesota
Saint Paul, Minn
Clinical Laboratory Animal Medicine: An Introduction (4th edition)
Karen Hrapkiewicz, Lesley Colby, & Patricia Denison
431 pages. 2013. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 978-1-1183-4510-8. Price $55.99.
Alright, I have to admit I am old. I purchased the first edition of Clinical Laboratory Animal Medicine: An Introduction some 34 years ago, and it quickly became dog-eared from constant use. The fourth and most recent edition is 70% longer than the first and now provides practical information for a broader base of readers. The lab animal science community, including animal care technicians, research staff, researchers, and beginning lab animal veterinarians, will benefit from this book. It begins with an introduction to animal use in teaching, testing, and research and then immerses readers into the ethical and regulatory milieu surrounding the care and use of animals. The chapter on facility design, equipment, housing, and management, besides being of value in training new facility staff, can be used for educating new institutional animal care and use committee members, institutional officials, and other administrators in the complexity, logistics, and expense of supporting a quality animal care program. The 9 chapters dedicated to individual lab animal species (mice, rats, gerbils, hamsters, guinea pigs, chinchillas, rabbits, ferrets, and nonhuman primates) provide practical information on handling and restraint, technical procedures (injections, blood collection, and dosing), anesthesia delivery and dosages, analgesic agents and dosages, euthanasia methods, and common diseases and treatments. The last chapter discusses research variables and quality control required for successful research outcomes. At the end of each chapter is a quiz for use as self-assessment or for instructors to assess student comprehension. The book has a companion website, which contains additional review questions and slide tutorials. Besides the aforementioned lab animal community, this book should be in the libraries of veterinarians and veterinary technicians who care for exotic animals in private practice and biomedical graduate research educators to facilitate the training of the next generation of scientists. I assure you that my copy of the fourth edition will soon be as dog-eared as the original.
Reviewed by David M. Moore, MS, DVM, DACLAM
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Va
Handbook of Laboratory Animal Management and Welfare (4th edition)
Sarah Wolfensohn & Maggie Lloyd
371 pages. 2013. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 978-0-4706-5549-8. Price $64.99.
In the fourth edition of the Handbook of Laboratory Animal Management and Welfare, the authors have, in 370 pages, expertly defined the context of animal care and use in the United Kingdom. The book is nicely arranged into 3 component sections (regulatory, welfare and science [including ethics and experimental design], and species-specific information), and chapters within each section follow a chronological manner.
Chapters 1 through 3 comprise the regulatory section and provide a detailed and elegant discussion of the regulatory framework, oversight practices, and ethical considerations for the use of animals in research. In this section, the authors have documented a society's evolution of thought concerning animal research to the present state without becoming terminally bogged down in mindless banter. This section includes a relational narrative regarding program participants and the obligations of the institution and individual and concludes with a discussion of the ethical imperatives upon experimental design and project performance.
Chapters 4 through 10 contain numerous examples of charts, graphs, and lists that readers can use. Several black and white photographs are used to depict handling positions and vascular access points for various species of laboratory animals, among other things. Certain sections, such as the use of carbon dioxide to euthanize small rodents, are written from the United Kingdom perspective and may not be totally congruent with the US perspective. Nevertheless, these sections provide background information regarding the science behind the methodology.
Chapters 11 through 16 contain species-specific information and are sufficiently detailed for those species discussed. For example, dogs and ferrets are included in the carnivore chapter, whereas cats are not. Marmosets are included as a new world primate, whereas Aotus spp are not. I do not consider this a fault of the book, but simply mention it to inform readers that not all species commonly used in animal research are discussed.
I believe that this book will be a nice addition to any reference library and will be particularly useful for United Kingdom readers. For non–United Kingdom readers, this handbook will serve as a practical reference for laboratory animal welfare and science and species-specific information and provide perspectives regarding a laboratory animal regulatory system that may differ from that with which they are familiar.
Reviewed by Ron E. Banks, DVM, DACAW, DACLAM, DACVPM
Duke University
Durham, NC
Animal Welfare in Veterinary Practice (UFAW Animal Welfare Series)
James Yeates
200 pages. 2013. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 978-1-444-33487-6. Price $59.99.
Animal Welfare in Veterinary Practice is a timely and welcome addition to any veterinarian's library. As the veterinary profession becomes more sensitized to the breadth of animal welfare, individual practitioners may struggle to understand how it can impact their practices. This book is a guide to understanding that concern. It begins by describing how animal welfare issues impact veterinary medicine and why the profession not only needs to be involved in animal welfare, but involved at the highest levels. It then takes the reader through ways to incorporate animal welfare directly into working with clients, and it ends by charging the whole profession to become more knowledgeable on the subject. The first and last chapters are especially eloquent in describing the role of veterinary medicine and veterinarians in animal welfare. The author also emphasizes how important it is that today's veterinary students are appropriately prepared to handle the animal welfare challenges of the future.
The book is not perfect. Many of the figures are very simplistic or not relevant to the point being discussed, which can be distracting. Because the author is British, some of the terms used occasionally seem inappropriate unless the reader takes into account the author's nationality. For example, the term mutilation is used in context with tail docking and ear cropping. Although the book is intended to be, and is to some extent, comprehensive for all types of veterinary practice, it is obvious that the expected audience is small animal practitioners. However, despite these imperfections, this book is valuable for any veterinarian.
Reviewed by Bonnie V. Beaver, DVM, MS, DACVB, DACAW
Texas A & M University
College Station, Tex
Veterinary Forensics: Animal Cruelty Investigations (2nd edition)
Melinda D. Merck
402 pages. 2013. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 978-0-4709-6162-9. Price $99.99.
Veterinary Forensics is an emerging field that presents unique challenges, which require the melding of expertise in diverse fields such as criminal justice, forensic science, and veterinary medicine. The second edition of Veterinary Forensics: Animal Cruelty Investigations is an essential resource for any veterinarian or criminal investigator who is involved in or considering stepping into this field. This edition has an impressive array of contributors who are recognized as experts in their respective fields. The entire book is well written, is packed full of accurate information, and has been substantially updated from the first edition. I consider it an essential reference for people investigating animal crimes. The first 4 chapters provide insightful general information relevant to all types of cruelty investigations and issues that veterinarians and investigators will encounter in animal cases. The sections on court testimony are especially helpful, particularly for readers who may be uncertain or uncomfortable about testifying in a court of law. The next 10 chapters detail specific information needed to evaluate and testify about specific types of injury and acts of cruelty. The last 3 chapters, which are new to this edition, discuss forensic entomology as it relates to animal crime, large animal cruelty, and avian cruelty cases and contain information not easily accessible to practitioners elsewhere. The book has quick reference tables throughout. The appendices and companion website, which contain forms that can be downloaded and modified, alone are worth the reasonable price of this book. In my opinion, if a veterinarian or criminal investigator has to choose a single reference as a guide for investigating animal cruelty cases and proper handling of live evidence, this book should be it.
Reviewed by Patricia Norris, DVM
Doña Ana County Sheriff's Office
Las Cruces, NM
Essentials of Tortoise Medicine and Surgery
John Chitty & Aidan Raftery
338 pages. 2013. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 978-1-4051-9544-7. Price $64.99.
Essentials of Tortoise Medicine and Surgery is a well-organized resource for many aspects of turtle and tortoise medicine and surgery. The first chapters of the book cover topics such as the basic natural history and biology of tortoises and contain a reasonably good discussion of the dietary needs of chelonians. I found the chart detailing how to determine the sex of chelonians particularly useful. The book contains a brief discussion of all commonly seen chelonian species that details important aspects of their natural history.
This book also includes information regarding the management of chelonians in the hospital and a list of special equipment required to properly examine those species. The section on physical examination contains detailed lists of the proper techniques that should be used during examination and key variables that should be evaluated. Details regarding basic techniques used for acquiring diagnostic samples are presented well as are discussions about commonly used diagnostic procedures such as endoscopy, ultrasonography, CT, and MRI. Commonly used anesthetic protocols and surgical procedures are described reasonably well. The section on clinical pathology is particularly good, and the authors have provided a bulleted list of things to consider when conducting a necropsy. Treatment techniques are discussed in detail and include excellent descriptions. The last chapters of the book contain excellent comprehensive discussions about chelonian disease processes. There are several useful appendices, including a detailed list of toxic plants. Overall, this book is an excellent reference and valuable asset for practitioners who treat chelonians.
Reviewed by Susan Horton, DVM
Chicago Exotics Animal Hospital PC
Skokie, Ill
Dictionary of Zoo Biology and Animal Management
Paul A. Rees
322 pages. 2013. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 978-0-470-67147-4. Price $89.95.
In the preface of the Dictionary of Zoo Biology and Animal Management, the author states that the book is intended as a reference for students studying a range of animal-based disciplines. The book contains over 5,000 entries on subjects ranging from agriculture and biochemistry to veterinary science and wildlife conservation. A strong emphasis is placed on terms used in the field of zoo biology, resulting in a unique reference for this subject. Undergraduate students and entry level animal care professionals will find this dictionary to be a very useful tool for learning terminology, acronyms, and professional jargon common in the zoological field. Seasoned professionals may find use for the book, but would likely not consult it frequently enough to justify the cost of adding it to their libraries. The book is not intended and does not claim to be a medical or veterinary dictionary, although entries on basic medical terminology may be helpful to animal care professionals interacting with veterinarians.
Entries are arranged in a typical dictionary format with cross-referencing when appropriate. Definitions are focused and concise and adequately explain words and concepts in simple terms. Well-selected photos and illustrations accompany selected entries. Unseasoned readers will likely find the appendix of acronyms and abbreviations helpful. The inclusion of many journals, professional organizations, treaties, acts of legislation, and people as entries also brings a unique and useful aspect to the book's content.
The selection of words included in the book is difficult to evaluate because the criteria used for inclusion are heavily influenced by the target audience and the author must obviously draw a line somewhere. However, in general, the word selection appears fairly comprehensive for readers new to the field of zoo biology, and this book is a unique reference that will be a valuable addition for the education of such readers.
Reviewed by Michael J. Adkesson, DVM, DACZM
Chicago Zoological Society, Brookfield Zoo
Brookfield, III
Infectious Diseases of Wild Mammals and Birds in Europe
Dolores Gavier-Widén, J. Paul Duff, & Anna Meredith
554 pages. 2012. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 978-1-4051-9905-6. Price $169.99.
Infectious Diseases of Wild Mammals and Birds in Europe is an edited text that includes 55 contributors, in addition to the 3 contributing editors, and covers the important diseases of wildlife species in Europe. The contributors include many of the more senior professionals in wildlife disease work in Europe as well as a number of veterinarians and researchers who have more recently become engaged in the field. The 43 chapters are divided into 4 sections: viral infections (19 chapters), bacterial infections (18 chapters), fungal and yeast infections (5 chapters), and prion infections (1 chapter). Additionally, 8 appendices provide concise information on topics that include wildlife-related emerging diseases in Europe, zoonotic pathogens and their European wildlife reservoirs and hosts, wildlife diseases in Europe with socioeconomic and population level impacts, and diseases by clinical presentation in mammals and birds.
In the preface to the book, the editors state that even though there is a large body of wildlife disease literature, until now there has been a void in the collation of that literature. The need for such a resource was one of the underlying reasons for the publication of this text. The editors have succeeded in their mission to provide such a resource by delivering a detailed, single volume on infectious diseases in wildlife in Europe. The editors also comment that the book is intended to support the one world–one health concept and be of value to biologists, ecologists, veterinarians, epidemiologists, and wildlife rehabilitators. In addition, the text is also of great value to professionals interested in one health and working in human health because each chapter provides information on public health concerns related to the pathogen discussed.
The text is well and consistently edited across the chapters with hardly enough typos to mention and none that hinder the reader's ability to focus on the content. Reading the book cover to cover, I did find the combination of mammals and birds in the same text slightly distracting, with some chapters starting with mammals and others starting with birds. This distraction is less of an issue if the text is used as a reference source for these diseases, and the combination of the 2 taxa into a single text is in the spirit of one health. It is also possible that as the body of literature grows in the future, the demand for individual texts, 1 each for mammals and birds, will alleviate this minor distraction.
Most chapters are well written and provide thorough reviews of general information on each pathogenic agent, with specific facts in relation to the situation in Europe. However, in a few chapters, the introduction could have covered more general detail of the agents (eg, retroviruses globally and across taxa), specific importance within taxa (eg, calicivirus in marine mammals), and insights to zoonotic potential (eg, Campylobacter jejuni and the link to Guillain-Barré syndrome). Additionally, the chapter on Borrelia did not discuss the large body of literature around the disease ecology of Lyme disease in the context of the dilution effect, and the chapter on Rickettsiales was particularly weak in terms of the reference citations provided. In the chapter on mycoplasma infections, there is reference to the 18,000 harbor seals that died in 1988 from an influenza-like virus with secondary mycoplasma infections; however, the available literature on this epidemic suggests that it was caused by a previously unidentified morbillivirus and not by an influenza virus. Lastly, in the chapter on transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, it is mentioned that bovine spongiform encephalopathy is transmitted by the oral route. In the subsequent sentence, it is stated that “horizontal or vertical transmission has not been detected.” These sentences are contradictory in that oral transmission, a type of horizontal transmission, is stated as the mode of transmission.
I was mildly disappointed by the editors’ claim that this text is the first to describe in detail the infectious diseases of wild mammals and birds in Europe. In 2010, the fourth edition of the Transmissible Disease Handbook became available in print and online through the European Association of Zoo and Wildlife Veterinarians website. Although the factsheet approach of that previously published handbook may be less detailed than Infectious Diseases of Wild Mammals and Birds in Europe, I found it interesting that none of the 43 chapters cite that work. Secondly, by focusing only on infectious diseases, important parasitic diseases of mammals and birds in Europe are not discussed in this book. This may simply be the result of limitations in covering such a vast amount of disease information and that infectious and parasitic diseases each demand a separate text. For example, there are 4 textbooks on the infectious and parasitic diseases of wild mammals and wild birds globally (Infectious Diseases of Wild Mammals by Williams and Barker, Parasitic Diseases of Wild Mammals by Samuel et al, Infectious Diseases of Wild Birds by Thomas et al, and Parasitic Diseases of Wild Birds by Atkinson et al) with extensive reviews of the literature available for each of these subjects.
Overall, this book is well written, is easily used as a reference text, and contains a wealth of information on infectious diseases of wildlife in Europe. The 85 figures, 36 tables, and 8 appendices that accompany the text greatly add to the merit of the book. It will be a valuable addition to the libraries of clinical veterinarians, epidemiologists, disease ecologists, and physicians interested in wildlife diseases and working within the growing one health movement.
Reviewed by Sharon L. Deem, DVM, PhD, DACZM
Saint Louis Zoo
St Louis, Mo
Prions: Current Progress in Advanced Research
Akikazu Sakudo & Takashi Onodera
140 pages. 2013. Caister Academic Press, distributed by Book Systems+, HDM Ltd. ISBN 978-1-908230-24-9. Price $240.00.
The stated goal of Prions: Current Progress in Advanced Research is “to provide students, scientists, and engineers with recent progress of advanced research into prion biology.” This book packs comprehensive coverage of the fundamentals of prion biology, mechanisms of disease, prion inactivation, disease intervention, and human and animal prion diseases in a relatively brief 11-chapter package. The chapters are comprised of review-style manuscripts written by various authors. Each chapter has adequate specificity to meet the stated purpose of the work and more than enough references to guide interested individuals deeper into specific areas of research. This book is most likely to be used as a reference text rather than read cover to cover.
The review style of the book has some drawbacks. Because a different author or team of authors wrote each chapter, there is some redundancy (eg, the topic of normal vs abnormal prion protein is introduced in multiple chapters); however, this may be less apparent to those who do not read the entire book and welcomed by those who read only a single chapter or specific passages. Chapter content occasionally extends beyond the scope of prion diseases into other areas in which the authors have expertise. For example, the chapter on prion inactivation includes data on bacterial endotoxins, which seems out of place.
This book serves as an excellent bridge to access current research topics, but additional figures would make this work even more useful to those with limited knowledge of prion diseases. Schematics comparing normal and misfolded prion proteins, representative microscopic lesions, examples of western blot profiles, and schematics of advanced techniques such as protein misfolding cyclic amplification or real-time quaking induced conversion assay are lacking and recommended for future editions. This book will be a welcome addition to institutional libraries, but its relatively high cost may limit its popularity in personal collections.
Reviewed by Justin Greenlee, DVM, PhD, DACVP
National Animal Disease Center USDA, Agricultural Research Service
Ames, Iowa
Statistics for Veterinary and Animal Science (3rd edition)
Aviva Petrie & Paul Watson
391 pages. 2013. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 978-0-470-67075-0. Price $59.99.
The third edition of Statistics for Veterinary and Animal Science is an affordable introductory statistics textbook appropriate for students in veterinary and animal science or other biosciences as well as practitioners and professionals in those fields. This is currently the only such textbook written specifically for that audience and is appropriate for students with no prior statistical background. For this edition, data sets for use in exercises are provided through a companion website, whereas in previous editions, the data sets were provided on an accompanying CD. The entire book is also available in an electronic format, making it readily accessible and useable on handheld devices for quick reference.
The text begins with an introduction to statistics to orient novice students and follows with descriptive statistics, continuing to the level of multiple linear and logistic regression, which will prepare students for more advanced statistical training. New in this edition is more extensive material related to ethics, surveillance, evidence-based veterinary medicine, and reporting of statistical information. Of particular value to students learning to critique published literature is the newly added Chapter 18, which provides a template and guide for appraisal of 2 full-text papers, which are provided in the text as examples.
Readers will find this book provides a practical approach to statistics because it does not focus on the theory behind equations; the authors recognize that readers will use computer programs to calculate results. Data sets for 2 commonly used programs, SPSS and Stata, are included on the website for download and use in the exercises included in the book along with the answers for those exercises. The book is organized in an extremely user-friendly format, and students and professionals will appreciate the many animal-focused examples that are used throughout.
Reviewed by Jennifer Steele, DVM, PhD
Tufts University
North Grafton, Mass
Blackwell's Five-Minute Veterinary Practice Management Consult (2nd edition) (Five-Minute Veterinary Consult Series)
Lowell Ackerman
783 pages. 2014. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 978-1-1185-2924-9. Price $99.99.
The second edition of Blackwell's Five-Minute Veterinary Practice Management Consult is a substantial update to the original, which was published 7 years ago. Although this edition is organized in the same basic format as the first edition, it has 129 additional pages including a new section on technology. The book is divided into 14 sections, each dedicated to a functional practice business area. Each section is further subdivided into numbered subsections that cover various topics of interest for practice owners, managers, and support staff. The table of contents provides a complete listing of sections and subsections, including the author of each subsection. Each subsection uses the same layout and provides a concise discussion of the given topic including a basic overview, terms defined, issues and options, examples, cautions, references, and recommended reading.
This book is a reference text and not necessarily one people interested in practice management will sit down to read cover to cover initially. It is likely practice managers will pull it off the shelf regularly as issues and challenges to the practice arise. Its bulleted format allows readers to concentrate on the basic facts without time-consuming, extraneous wording. All of the authors are well respected authorities in their particular fields of interest. Although there is some overlap between sections and authors, I regard that as a plus because it gives readers additional insight into how to operate, manage, and lead a veterinary practice as a business as well as a client-centered service provider.
Most of the subsections have been noticeably updated by the authors, with very few having been simply copied from the original edition. The only topic that I think should have been expanded is leadership, which is primarily embedded in the section on Administrative Management. In my opinion, leadership is a critical aspect of operating a successful practice and could easily make up a separate section. Overall, I think this book will be a great addition to any practice library as a reference for sound information on any veterinary business topic.
Reviewed by Bill Kearley, DVM, MBA
Veterinary Practice Success
Boise, Idaho
Navigating Diversity and Inclusion in Veterinary Medicine
Lisa M. Greenhill, Kauline Cipriani Davis, Patricia M. Lowrie, & Sandra F. Amass
168 pages. 2013. Purdue University Press. ISBN 978-1-55753-636-5. Price $29.95.
Navigating Diversity and Inclusion in Veterinary Medicine, hot off the Purdue University Press, is a jewel of a book that will serve as a valuable, well-referenced resource for anyone with an interest in understanding the subject of diversity and its impact on veterinary medicine. The contributing authors have navigated diversity and inclusion in veterinary medicine from the perspective of the profession's history and many stakeholders, including academics, the corporate world, government, students, and society as a whole. Dean Willie Reed's forward sets the stage for the underlying theme of most of the chapters: veterinary medicine is the least diverse of all the health-care professions in the United States, and it is imperative that steps and actions be continued to address this dilemma.
This book makes a convincing case for how a more diverse and inclusive profession benefits the many stakeholders of veterinary medicine. Past, current, and potential future strategies to promote a more diverse and inclusive profession are outlined. Unfortunately, discussion of the role that private practitioners can play in addressing issues related to a lack of diversity and inclusiveness both in their practices and the broader profession is generally lacking. The degree to which members of the profession are culturally competent is briefly discussed in Chapter 7 but could have been explored more thoroughly.
Reviewed by Larry M. Kornegay, DVM
Antoine Little York Animal Clinic
Houston, Tex
books for veterinary technicians
Small Animal Dental Procedures for Veterinary Technicians and Nurses
Jeanne R. Perrone
228 pages. 2013. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 978-0-8138-2075-0. Price $59.99.
Small Animal Dental Procedures for Veterinary Technicians and Nurses is comprised of 10 chapters that review dental anatomy and terminology, all aspects of dental procedures, equipment and instrumentation of the dental operatory, and common dental conditions in dogs, cats, and exotic animals. Each chapter begins with a list of learning objectives that helps readers appreciate the key points and scope of the topic discussed. The book also has a companion website that contains supplemental photographs, illustrations, and further discussion of key topics.
Chapters 1 and 2 provide an excellent review of basic dental anatomy and terminology as well as orient technicians on their role in the examination room. Chapter 3 provides an overview of all the necessary equipment used in the dental operatory including a discussion on ergonomics and professional protection. Chapters 4 through 6 provide information regarding the key aspects of every dental procedure including anesthesia and pain management; dental charting, cleaning, and polishing; instrument care; and dental radiography. Future editions of the book will benefit from a more in-depth discussion on patient positioning and supporting illustrations. Chapters 7 through 9 contain a well-organized description of common dental conditions and treatments for dogs, cats, and exotic animals. Chapter 10 contains a discussion of important points that should be discussed with owners when dental patients are discharged.
The illustrations and photographs within the text are of high quality, and the appendix contains useful documents, dental charts, and radiographic templates. Priced at $59.99, this text is an excellent value, and I recommend it as an excellent resource for veterinary technicians and technician students as well as for any practice owner looking to train staff, improve dental workflow, or expand dental services.
Reviewed by Stephen Juriga, DVM, DAVDC
Veterinary Dental Center at River Heights Veterinary Hospital
Oswego, Ill
Practical Emergency and Critical Care Veterinary Nursing
Paul Aldridge & Louise O'Dwyer
217 pages. 2013. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 978-0-4706-5681-5. Price $59.99.
Practical Emergency and Critical Care Veterinary Nursing is intended to be a reference for small animal veterinarians and veterinary technicians and will be especially useful for technicians studying for specialty certification in small animal emergency and critical care. It provides detailed information regarding the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and abnormalities commonly seen in a small animal emergency setting. Common technical procedures are comprehensively described, and many of those descriptions are accompanied by step-by-step instructions and illustrations.
The book is organized into chapters on the basis of the reason the patient is being examined and has a table of contents for quick reference, which is especially helpful for finding relevant information during emergency situations. Common emergencies such as various toxicoses, traumas, acute abdomen, and urinary tract obstruction are discussed along with examples of diagnostic tests, procedures, and treatments that may be used for those conditions. This book has a layout that is easy to navigate, an abundance of useful illustrations, and a companion website that contains additional resources, tables, and charts, which might be helpful for the management of emergency and critical care patients. In short, this book is a thorough, easy-to-read reference that will benefit any veterinarian or veterinary technician who works in a small animal practice that provides emergency care.
Reviewed by Maureen McMichael, DVM, DACVECC
University of Illinois
Urbana, Ill
books for clients
101 Essential Tips You Need to Raise a Happy, Healthy, Safe Dog
Jason Nicholas
56 pages. 2013. The Preventive Vet ISBN 978-0-9883781-1-78. Price $9.95.
Pets are like children, and just as parents of children need to be aware of common threats to their child's safety, it is vitally important for the owners (ie, parents) of pets to be likewise prepared. The latter is the premise for 101 Essential Tips You Need to Raise a Happy, Healthy, Safe Dog. This book delivers insightful tips garnered from the author's years of experience in general and emergency practice and highlights common dangers for pets and the most frequent mistakes that pet owners make. This book is easy to read and is broken down into 6 concise chapters, with topics ranging from prevention of various toxicoses to prevention of common digestive problems. Each chapter contains light-hearted illustrations and details about actual emergency room cases. Written for dog owners, this book is basic enough for first-time dog owners and informative enough for seasoned dog lovers. Some of the tips in the book are relatively intuitive, whereas others are not well known. This book delivers on its mission to stay true to the motto, “Be Aware. Be Prepared. Be Preventive!” and is a good value, especially in terms of potential dollars saved by aversion of disasters. Every dog owner should be familiar with this excellent resource for information regarding the mitigation of disaster and avoidance of danger for our 4-legged friends.
Reviewed by James Bascharon, DVM
Ambassador Animal Hospital Ltd
Hanover Park, Ill
