BOOKS FOR VETERINARIANS
The E Myth Veterinarian: Why Most Veterinary Practices Don't Work and What to Do About It
Michael E. Gerber & Peter Weinstein
188 pages. 2015. Michael E. Gerber. ISBN 978-1-61835-033-6. Price $24.95.
The E Myth Veterinarian: Why Most Veterinary Practices Don't Work and What to Do About It is a wake-up call to the veterinary profession. Co-authored by Michael Gerber and Dr. Peter Weinstein, the primary concept this book is trying to convey is that veterinary medicine is a people profession first and an animal profession second. As such, to thrive, veterinarians must provide people with more than just clinical care for their pets.
The authors rightfully claim that the client experience cannot be left to chance. The only way to build a business around this concept is to systematize the practice operations so that every interaction a client has with the practice contributes to fulfilling and even surpassing their expectations.
In alternating chapters, the authors complement each other by addressing the various components of a practice system necessary to turn a veterinary practice into a thriving business. Each chapter focuses on a specific aspect of turning the work from the mere technical (ie, taking care of animals) to taking care of business.
According to the authors, there has to be a balance between working in the practice and working on it. They describe the creation of a far-reaching vision and how to implement the steps necessary to realize that vision by better managing the day-to-day operations of the practice and learning to become better entrepreneurs.
From Michael's academic perspective to Peter's “from-the-trenches” experience as a former practice owner, the message of this book is clear; it is time for veterinarians to wake up and treat their practices as businesses rather than just treating animals. The veterinary profession needs to pay heed to that message.
Reviewed by Steve Kornfeld, DVM
Veterinary Success Services Kensington, Calif
The Veterinarian's Guide to Healthy Pet Plans: How to Design, Implement and Measure Your Way to Preventive Care Plan Success
Debra H. Boone & Wendy L. Hauser
90 pages. 2015. Debra H. Boone & Wendy L. Hauser. ISBN 978-1-4834-1753-0. Price $119.00.
The Veterinarian's Guide to Healthy Pet Plans: How to Design, Implement and Measure Your Way to Preventive Care Plan Success was designed to “be a tool—a workbook—to give practices a platform on which to build their own personalized plans,” and that is exactly what it is. A modest book of only 90 pages, this spiral-bound manual outlines the reasons for and benefits of offering veterinary clients healthy pet plans and then provides a step-by-step process for the implementation of those plans into practice. The goal for each of the 10 chapters is clearly stated. The authors then describe how to achieve each goal by means of detailed questions, explanations, equations, and worksheets. Summary questions at the end of each chapter allow readers to personalize the objectives outlined in the chapter to their own unique practice situations. At the end of the book are 5 appendices that contain fill-in-the-blank worksheets, examples of marketing tools, and training modules to help veterinarians and practice managers implement healthy pet plans.
Although the price might appear to be a little steep for a soft-cover, spiral-bound manual, it is readily apparent that the authors have spent a large amount of thought and time in the preparation of this book. The wealth of information and detailed instructions contained in this book will be invaluable for any practice that is interested in developing personalized healthy pet plans, a process that may seem daunting to many veterinarians and practice managers. In my opinion, readers who diligently follow the steps outlined in this book, work through all of the worksheets, and honestly answer all of the questions will be able to successfully develop and implement personalized healthy pet plans in almost any veterinary practice.
Reviewed by Elizabeth Moen Alton, DVM
Green Mountain Animal Hospital South Burlington, Vt
Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care Medicine: Self-Assessment Color Review (2nd edition)
Rebecca Kirby, Elke Rudloff, & Andrew K. J. Linklater
246 pages. 2015. CRC Press (an imprint of Taylor & Francis Group). ISBN 978-1-4822-2592-1. Price $39.56.
The second edition of Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care Medicine: Self-Assessment Color Review discusses triage, case management, and prognosis through a large and diverse collection of clinical vignettes. The authors have amassed corresponding photographs and diagnostic images for almost every case, a great feat that adds a sense of realism to the book. The book is loosely structured. Initially, it focuses on fluid therapy, triage, interpretation of blood gas results, and the Rule of 20, but then the cases presented follow in an order characteristic of a chaotic day in a veterinary emergency center (eg, dog with traumatic injuries, vomiting dog, yellow [icteric] cat, and dog with chocolate toxicosis). This is a workbook, not a textbook; however, given the large amount of information it contains, it is a great value for the price.
The workbook format makes it a useful review resource for emergency veterinarians and technicians and for residents studying for the veterinary emergency and critical care board examination, but I would not recommend this book for veterinary students because the concepts are advanced. Answers to questions are provided in a condensed shorthand style that requires a high level of knowledge to understand. Although the authors provide suggestions for additional reading, studies or sources from which specific data were acquired unfortunately are not referenced. The publisher should also reconsider the size and format of the book. This is marketed as a workbook, but there is no room to write in the margins as the authors suggest, and the line spacing and text are overly condensed. Additionally, even though the colored photographs and diagnostic images are a wonderful feature of the book, many of those photographs and images, especially the radiographic images, are too small for interpretation. Nevertheless, the format of this book facilitates its use for self-assessment or group learning, and this is a great workbook for emergency and critical care clinicians and technicians and residents studying for the board examination.
Reviewed by Jennifer Waldrop, DVM, DACVECC
Animal Critical Care & Emergency Services Seattle, Wash
Handbook of Canine and Feline Emergency Protocols (2nd edition)
Maureen McMichael
291 pages. 2014. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 978-1-1185-5903-1. Price $69.99.
The contributors to the second edition of the Handbook of Canine and Feline Emergency Protocols are inarguably leaders in emergency veterinary medicine and have succeeded in their stated purpose, “to provide the practicing emergency veterinarian with rapid access to brief, but complete, protocols on the most common dog and cat emergencies encountered in veterinary practice.” Regrettably, I do not have access to the first edition for direct comparison with this edition. However, the layout of this handbook is very user-friendly, which is a must for any quick-reference book. Throughout each chapter, information is presented in a consistent manner (history, clinical signs, diagnostics, treatment, and prognosis) for each condition described, which facilitates navigation. Patient monitoring is usually included under the treatment heading, except for in chapter 2 where monitoring has its own section. I most appreciated that the recommended diagnostic tests are divided into tiers so readers can more easily assess the importance of each diagnostic test. Strengths of this handbook include the review of canine and feline blood types and blood products that appears in both the Hematology Emergencies and Procedures and Protocols chapters, images that complement the text, and a companion website that contains videos, additional images, review questions, and formula calculations. The chapters are thoroughly referenced, which provides readers direction for additional information about the described conditions should they so desire or require it.
Despite the strengths of this handbook, it is not without its shortcomings. For example, the minimum database (ie, the recommended basic set of variables that should be evaluated in emergency situations; MDB) is defined inconsistently. The MDB is defined as Hct and total solids, BUN, and glucose concentrations in the detailed list of abbreviations at the beginning of the handbook, but is defined as PCV and total solids, BUN, glucose, electrolyte, and lactate concentrations in the introduction of the handbook. This may cause readers some confusion until they identify this inconsistency. There is considerable redundancy within and between chapters. Although redundancy is inherent in the practice of emergency medicine because many conditions warrant similar concerns regarding issues such as perfusion and pain, the repetition weakens the content when an error happens to be introduced and then is repeated for multiple conditions. Even though the errors I identified would not adversely affect patient care, they may cause confusion for some readers. Also, notably absent from the Procedures and Protocols chapter are discussions of transtracheal wash, nasal feeding, nasal oxygen tubes, and FAST (focused assessment sonograms for trauma, triage, and tracking) examinations.
This handbook presents a great deal of practical and valuable information in a clear and concise format and will be beneficial for both emergency clinicians and general practitioners who are looking for a quick reference for use in crisis situations. It is reasonably priced, and although it is not intended to be an exhaustive reference, readers will not be disappointed as long as they recognize its intended scope.
Reviewed by Todd Duffy, DVM, DACVECC
Premier Veterinary Group Crestwood, Ill
BSAVA Guide to Procedures in Small Animal Practice (2nd edition)
Nick Bexfield & Karla Lee
282 pages. 2014. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN-978-1-905319-67-1. Price $100.00.
The second edition of the BSAVA Guide to Procedures in Small Animal Practice is published by the British Small Animal Veterinary Association and available in the United States through Wiley-Blackwell. It contains a fairly comprehensive overview of procedures that small animal general practitioners should be aware of and includes procedures that are commonly performed as well as those that are more specialized and that most veterinarians probably would not routinely perform. The surgical procedures described are restricted to placement of IV catheters and gastrostomy tubes.
The best features of this book are the alphabetical listing of procedures and the great in-depth description of each system evaluated during a physical examination. The only weakness of this book is that some of the terminology may be unfamiliar to US veterinarians because it was written for a British audience. For example, isopropyl alcohol is referred to as spirit or surgical spirit, and a few of the drugs mentioned are unfamiliar.
Overall, this is a well-written book with excellent illustrations that is easy to follow. It achieves its stated purpose and will be beneficial as a quick and useful reference guide for students, veterinarians, and veterinary hospital staff members.
Reviewed by Kelly Black, DVM
Cedar Valley College Lancaster, Tex
Rapid Interpretation of Heart and Lung Sounds: A Guide to Cardiac and Respiratory Auscultation in Dogs and Cats (3rd edition)
Bruce W. Keene, Francis W. K. Smith Jr, Larry P. Tilley, & Bernie Hansen
93 pages. 2015. Saunders (an imprint of Elsevier). ISBN 978-0-323-32707-7. Price $78.95.
The purpose of the third edition of Rapid Interpretation of Heart and Lung Sounds: A Guide to Cardiac and Respiratory Auscultation in Dogs and Cats is to introduce readers to the basic principles of cardiac auscultation, including recognition of normal and abnormal cardiac sounds, diagnosis and description of murmurs, and identification of arrhythmias. This book is most appropriate for veterinary students, although it may also be useful for residents in specialties other than cardiology (eg, internal medicine and oncology) in which cardiac auscultation is an important part of the specialty. This book is probably too elementary for most cardiology residents.
Overall, the authors do a good job of introducing readers to the concepts of basic cardiac and pulmonary auscultation. The text is concise and complete, and the illustrations are helpful. Certain sections are oversimplified. For example, the use of rib spaces to indicate thoracic locations when describing murmurs is misleading because the varying chest conformations of different breeds affect the apical and basilar locations of the heart. Also, describing atrial fibrillation as a rapid rhythm is misleading because a rapid heart rate is not a prerequisite for diagnosis of atrial fibrillation. Such oversimplifications often cause confusion and frustration for students and noncardiologists.
The section on lung sounds is a good introduction to pulmonary auscultation. It provides enough basic information to help readers formulate a list of differentials on the basis of pulmonary auscultation.
The interactive companion website adds the most value to this book. Reading about heart sounds while hearing them makes it easier to assimilate the information. Having readers use their stethoscope to listen to the sounds is a great asset because sounds are different when heard through a stethoscope.
Reviewed by Sara Beth Bordelon, DVM, MS, DACVIM
Chesapeake Veterinary Cardiology Associates Leesburg, Va
Small Animal Diagnostic Ultrasound (3rd edition)
John S. Mattoon & Thomas G. Nyland
667 pages. 2015. Saunders (an imprint of Elsevier). ISBN 978-1-4160-4867-1. Price $160.00.
The third edition of Small Animal Diagnostic Ultrasound comes 13 years after the second edition. The text has been expanded from 461 to 667 pages, and an accompanying website has been developed that includes educational videos, which are cited throughout the text. The chapters have been rearranged so that the chapters that focus on ultrasonographic equipment and process are located at the beginning of the book, followed by chapters that progress through body regions from head to toe. The glossary has been moved to the website.
This book and its accompanying website represent a well-done and effective multimedia approach to teaching the art of ultrasonographic scanning. The descriptive text, updated illustrations and images, and narrated videos provide readers with multiple tools to boost their confidence and develop or improve their ultrasonographic scanning technique and interpretation skills.
The chapters on specific organs and systems have been updated with current data, expanded discussions, and extensive references. Although the text is thorough, tables that summarize differential diagnoses and decision flow charts are lacking. The organization of the book is consistent, but in some areas the text is dense and seems somewhat disjointed or incongruous. Consequently, this book is more of a narrative textbook rather than a quick-reference manual for patient-side use. The copious ultrasonographic images throughout the book are of high quality, and most have been updated. The videos referenced in the text are useful guides for scanning complex regions and identifying normal anatomy or pathology. I believe there is a great potential here for future development.
This rich multimedia resource will be valuable to any sonographer. Once users have read, underlined, annotated, and otherwise made this book their own, they will greatly appreciate having it in their library.
Reviewed by Lance Rozear, DVM, DACVR
Central Hospital for Veterinary Medicine North Haven, Conn
Canine & Feline Endocrinology (4th edition)
Edward C. Feldman, Richard W. Nelson, Claudia E. Reusch, J. Catharine R. Scott-Moncrieff, & Ellen N. Behrend
669 pages. 2015. Saunders (an imprint of Elsevier). ISBN 978-1-4557-4456-5. Price $139.00.
For veterinarians who consider Nelson and Feldman's Canine & Feline Endocrinology the bible of endocrinology, it is great to see an updated edition. The fourth edition has 3 new contributing authors (Drs. Scott-Moncrieff, Reusch, and Behrend) who have brought their considerable clinical and research expertise to 9 of the 16 chapters. The format of this edition is similar to that of previous editions, except that the section on feline and canine reproduction and the chapter on gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors have been omitted. This edition contains 5 sections (pituitary gland, thyroid gland, endocrine pancreas, adrenal gland, and parathyroid gland).
Most of the sections have a similar format that includes a short introduction to the anatomy and physiology of the gland being discussed, followed by classification of the diseases that affect that gland along with a description of the etiology and pathophysiology for each of those diseases. Within each chapter, most of the discussion is dedicated to providing readers with an in-depth understanding of a given disease with a detailed description of the associated clinical signs and laboratory findings, available diagnostic tests, and recommendations for the management of patients with the disease.
As in previous editions, endocrine tests, their availability, and the rationale for their use are thoroughly explained. I particularly liked the discussion of insulinlike growth factor-1 assays for diagnosis of acromegaly and the detailed review of free thyroxine (fT4) hormone assays for dogs and cats.
It has been 11 years since the third edition was released, and a lot of new information has been added to this edition. The chapter on hyperadrenocorticism contains updated information on diagnostic testing, including a thorough review of the use of cosyntropin for ACTH stimulation tests and the advantages and disadvantages of freezing reconstituted cosyntropin for future tests. This chapter also contains an excellent description of the current recommendations for the use of trilostane to treat pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism. With the increase in the availability of ultrasonography, detection of adrenal tumors has become more common. The chapters on hyperadrenocorticism and pheochromocytoma contain a detailed approach for identification and treatment of adrenal tumors in general and incidentaloma in particular. The chapters on diabetes mellitus contain information regarding the use of newer insulin analogues such as glargine and detemir and current recommendations for blood glucose monitoring at home, interstitial glucose monitoring, and the performance of hospital curves. The chapter on diabetes mellitus in cats contains a nice review on the current understanding of the pathogenesis and remission of feline diabetes. Descriptions of the use of tapering doses of desoxycorticosterone pivalate (DOCP) to manage patients with hypoadrenocorticism and the diagnostic approach for identifying the cause of hypercalcemia will be of interest to many practitioners.
This edition has a few minor weaknesses. Like any textbook, the cited references are not entirely current; however, this edition contains multiple references from 2013 and an occasional reference from 2014. The index has some minor errors and omissions (eg, incidentalomas are discussed on page 438 in addition to pages 547 to 548 as listed in the index, and the use of inhibin for the diagnosis of pheochromocytomas is on page 541). Nutritional thyrotoxicosis is referenced only in the chapter on feline hyperthyroidism, and the endocrine function of adipose tissue is discussed only in relation to feline diabetes mellitus. The labels for the luminal membrane and basolateral membrane are transposed in Figure 1–4 (page 4), and the specificity and sensitivity interpretations of the range for total thyroxine (T4) concentrations are confusing (page 100).
Overall, this book will be invaluable to students, practitioners, interns, and residents who wish to learn more about endocrinology. A pleasure to read, it is meticulously researched and benefits from the strong clinical experiences of the authors.
Reviewed by Orla Mahony, MVB, DACVIM
Tufts University North Grafton, Mass
Differential Diagnosis in Small Animal Medicine (2nd edition)
Alex Gough & Kate Murphy
446 pages. 2015. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 978-1-118-40968-8. Price $59.99.
The second edition of Differential Diagnosis in Small Animal Medicine is an excellent resource for third- and fourth-year veterinary students on clinical rotations and new graduates who are in need of a compact, pocket-friendly reference with a problem-oriented approach to clinical cases. Compared with the first edition, this edition contains more expansive lists of differential diagnoses that are organized by clinical signs (eg, polyuria and polydipsia), physical examination findings (eg, red eye), and radiographic (eg, abnormal bronchial pattern), ultrasonographic (eg, abnormal intestinal wall thickness), laboratory (eg, hypokalemia), and electrodiagnostic (ie, alterations in the P wave) abnormalities. Aside from use in clinical situations, this book will also be an effective study guide for students preparing to take the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination. Its outline format makes it an easy read for busy students, and its categorical approach helps readers focus on core clinical concepts that will likely appear on the examination. The only downside of this book is that it is not comprehensive; however, it is not intended to be. The purpose of this book is to highlight diagnostic rule-outs so that novice practitioners avoid missing potential diagnoses and remember to assess the entire clinical situation. Although accessible and convenient for use on an as-needed basis, this book is probably less appropriate for seasoned veterinarians because it does not contain any new information.
Reviewed by Ryane E. Englar, DVM, DABVP
Midwestern University Glendale, Ariz
Clinical Veterinary Advisor: Dogs and Cats (3rd edition)
Etienne Côté
1,642 pages. 2015. Mosby (an imprint of Elsevier). ISBN 978-0-323-17292-9. Price $119.00.
It seems counterintuitive to refer to a book of > 1,600 pages (with an additional 300 online-only pages), written by 400 authors, and compiled by 21 editors as concise; nonetheless, that is exactly how I would describe the third edition of Clinical Veterinary Advisor: Dogs and Cats. The book is divided into 6 sections: Diseases and Disorders, Procedures and Techniques, Differential Diagnoses, Laboratory Tests, Clinical Algorithms, and Drug Formulary. Purchasers of the book are also granted access to the online version of the book, which is complete with additional material including 150 customizable client education sheets.
The Diseases and Disorders section describes hundreds of maladies in alphabetical order. The discussion of each disease or disorder includes 1 to 3 pages of pertinent information and “Pearls” of wisdom for clinicians, veterinary technicians, and clients. Annotations are provided in the text when additional information about a particular topic is available online. I found this section to be extremely complete and well worth the price of the book. The Procedures and Techniques section contains descriptions for 100 procedures ranging from how to give an enema to how to do an enema with scintillography and a 1-page article on behavior assessment. This section would have benefited from more selective editing; descriptions of procedures that were not pertinent to everyday practice or that could not be easily described in 1 to 2 pages could have been omitted. The Differential Diagnosis section has been completely rewritten and not only covers most clinical complaints, but also includes discussions of the calcium content of calcium salts and the American Society of Anesthesiologists Classification System, topics that are more appropriate for a different section or an appendix. Nevertheless, consultation of this section and the Clinical Algorithms section will help readers avoid errors of omission when dealing with complicated as well as everyday cases. The Laboratory Tests section contains explanations of various diagnostic tests, causes of abnormal results and subsequent steps to consider when those results arise, relative costs of diagnostic tests, and, of course, the “Pearls” of wisdom. The Drug Formulary section appears complete; however, in contrast to the book's other online resources, I could not get the online formulary to display properly, which rendered it useless for quick reference from a computer. Hopefully, that issue will be resolved soon.
In summary, this book tries to do too much and stumbles a bit in the attempt. However, the sections on Diseases and Disorders, Differential Diagnoses, and Clinical Algorithms, along with the online material, make this book a bargain for the price.
Reviewed by Lawrence M. Fox, DVM, DABVP
Elmwood Grove Animal Hospital River Grove, Ill
Canine and Feline Anesthesia and Co-Existing Disease
Lindsey B. C. Snyder & Rebecca A. Johnson
340 pages. 2015. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 978-1-118-28820-7. Price $99.99.
Canine and Feline Anesthesia and Co-Existing Disease, edited by veterinary anesthesiologists Drs. Lindsey Snyder and Rebecca Johnson, is the first veterinary textbook to focus on the specific impact of disease on anesthesia. This initial effort at identifying key comorbidities and their physiologic and pathophysiologic impact on anesthesia of dogs and cats is a laudable endeavor. The information provided generally contains sufficient detail and offers a systematic approach for identifying key concerns associated with a variety of common anomalies. Most chapters provide adequate detail, but some chapters fall short on identifying anesthetic considerations and a detailed discussion for specific diseases or procedures. For example, key organ systems such as the cardiovascular and hematologic systems are adequately represented with a broad scope of diseases and their associated anesthetic issues, whereas discussion of the respiratory and nervous systems falls short of incorporating common physiologic alterations and anesthetic management approaches for frequently encountered diseases or procedures. The brief, but occasionally detailed, physiologic overview in each chapter provides readers with a useful review of physiology and fundamental principles. The comprehensive, systematic, disease-focused approach to most anesthetic issues makes this book a great reference for both veterinary anesthesiology residents and experienced anesthesiologists. The authors and editors of this book are commended for venturing into this important area of veterinary anesthetic care.
Reviewed by Ashley J. Wiese, DVM, MS, DACVAA
MedVet Medical and Cancer Center for Pets Cincinnati, Ohio
Small Animal Soft Tissue Surgery: Self-Assessment Color Review (2nd edition)
Kelley M. Thieman Mankin
224 pages. 2014. CRC Press (an imprint of Taylor & Francis Group). ISBN 978-1-4822-2538-9. Price $33.56.
The second edition of Small Animal Soft Tissue Surgery: Self-Assessment Color Review provides readers the opportunity to briefly, yet thoroughly, review key soft tissue surgical concepts in the field. The target audience for this book includes surgery residents and interns, small animal surgeons who want to assess and refresh their knowledge, and general practitioners with a strong interest in surgery. The authors provide readers with information about actual clinical cases for self-assessment. The case presentations include excellent-quality images and questions that are concise and appropriate followed by detailed answers. I particularly appreciated the attention the authors paid to review of the perioperative management of patients with various conditions, especially the discussion of pertinent results from blood gas analysis, medications that should and should not be administered, critical care, and physiologic concerns associated with surgery. Although the format of this edition is the same as that of the first edition, each case has been updated with appropriate information and literature citations. The price of the book is fair, particularly considering the excellent quality of the images. This book is an ideal resource for surgery residents in preparation for the board certification examination.
Reviewed by Jessica Barrera, DVM, MS, DACVS
VCA Veterinary Specialists of Northern Colorado Loveland, Colo
Canine Reproduction and Neonatology
Marthina L. Greer
465 pages. 2015. Teton NewMedia (an imprint of Taylor & Francis Group). ISBN 978-1-59161-041-9. Price $80.96.
My review of Canine Reproduction and Neonatology can be pretty much summarized by the following: I love this book, but…. The author wrote this book to serve as a “readily retrievable, practical resource.” It is organized into 11 chapters. The first chapter consists of a discussion about working with dog breeders. Chapters 2 through 4 cover dog breeding, and chapters 5, 6, and 7 cover pregnancy, parturition, and the periparturient period, respectively. Chapters 9 and 10 are dedicated to infertility and reproductive problems in the bitch, and the last chapter deals with breeding bitches with fresh-chilled versus frozen semen.
This book provides a comprehensive description of clinical canine theriogenology from a practical and common sense perspective. Clinical procedures are effectively detailed in step-by-step protocols. Although the book is easy to read, dog breeders, one of the intended audiences for the book, may find it necessary to have a medical dictionary handy to help them understand the medical terminology used.
This book has many strengths including > 200 high-quality, colored photographs, which helps readers appreciate the difference between normal and abnormal reproductive conditions. The 51 well-organized appendices provide concise information in the form of algorithms, lists, tables, forms, and questionnaires that are useful for veterinarians, technical staff, and clients. An enormous benefit is that these helpful appendices are available digitally and can be downloaded, edited, and customized to meet individual needs.
Unfortunately, this book has no footnotes, and the data, findings, and conclusions presented are not referenced or linked to original research. The book's reference list consists of 36 entries, most of which are conference or congress proceedings. However, the reference list does include Canine and Feline Theriogenology by Johnston et al, which is extensively referenced and can be used to find many of the original sources for the data and findings presented in this book.
This book contains an unacceptably large number of errors and omissions, most of which are typographical in nature. For example, Table 5-2 lists the various structures visible radiographically at various days throughout gestation (presumably adapted from findings reported by Concannon et al in the 1980's); however, the title states that it contains radiographic findings 2 to 35 days “following whelping.” The text contains many misspellings and omitted spaces and words that distract readers from the content. For example, the following statement appears in Appendix C-3: “Dental floss—incase you need to re-tie an umbilical.” Although the content of this book is excellent and is a credit to the author's vast knowledge and experience, this book desperately needs comprehensive line-by-line editing from beginning to end.
Reviewed by Jane A. Barber, DVM, MS, DACT
Veterinary Specialties at the Lake Sherrills Ford, NC
Bovine Reproduction
Richard M. Hopper
800 pages. 2015. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 978-1-118-47083-1. Price $199.99.
Authored by several well-respected experts in the field, Bovine Reproduction is a reference textbook that definitely fills a void in that area of veterinary medicine. This book is one of the most, if not the most, complete textbooks dedicated to the subject of bovine theriogenology currently available and covers andrology, fertility, obstetrics, advanced reproductive technologies, abortion, neonatology, reproductive surgery, and production medicine. The contents are presented in an easy-to-follow manner, beginning with a section dedicated to the bull, followed by a section focused on the cow, and ending with a section on assisted and advanced reproductive technologies. At the end of the book are a fairly comprehensive glossary and an easily searchable index. This book is appropriate for veterinary students, theriogenology residents, and veterinarians involved in bovine practice.
In general, each chapter contains photographs, illustrations, graphs, and tables that complement the text and assist readers in understanding the material. The depth of the content presented varies from chapter to chapter. Most of the information is current, presented in appropriate detail for the scope of the book, and well referenced. However, a few of the chapters contain content that is based on the authors’ experience instead of being supported by referenced literature. Some chapters provide an organized, step-by-step approach to performing procedures such as a breeding soundness examination of a bull and preparation of semen samples for microscopic evaluation, whereas most chapters begin with an introduction followed by a more detailed review of the topic being discussed. From a practitioner's standpoint, one of the best attributes of this book is that it focuses on the clinical application of the information presented instead of providing only a cursory review of reproductive physiology and surgery.
Reviewed by A. Jacques Fuselier, DVM, DACT, DABVP
Louisiana State University Baton Rouge, La
Backyard Poultry Medicine and Surgery: A Guide for Veterinary Practitioners
Cheryl B. Greenacre & Teresa Y. Morishita
345 pages. 2015. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 978-1-118-33543-7. Price $99.99.
Backyard Poultry Medicine and Surgery: A Guide for Veterinary Practitioners is the reference for which many veterinarians who have seen their backyard poultry caseload grow exponentially during the last decade have long waited. Until now, most reference material on poultry medicine has focused exclusively on production medicine for commercial flocks and often leaves practitioners who deal with small backyard flocks with more questions than answers. This book provides an excellent overview of backyard poultry medicine including regulatory concerns and basic husbandry. Nine chapters cover medicine and are primarily arranged by system, with special chapters dedicated to zoonotic diseases, avian influenza, and exotic Newcastle disease. With the exception of the chapter on reproductive medicine, these chapters are comprehensive and provide in-depth discussions and annotated photographs and photomicrographs. The chapter on reproductive medicine is lacking in detailed information; in particular, no discussion is provided regarding neoplasia of the reproductive tract, one of the most common disorders of the reproductive tract observed in backyard chickens. The section on surgery is well written and thoroughly describes surgical procedures commonly performed in backyard flocks. The chapters that describe various diagnostic tests and vaccination protocols are also very informative. This book will be an indispensable reference for practitioners who occasionally examine pet chickens and ducks as well as those who treat backyard poultry on a daily basis.
Reviewed by Tracy Bennett, DVM, DABVP
Bird and Exotic Clinic of Seattle Seattle, Wash
Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook (8th edition)
Donald C. Plumb
1,279 pages. 2015. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 978-1-118-91193-8. Price $84.99.
The eighth edition of Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook continues the tradition of being one of the most comprehensive drug formularies available for use in veterinary practice. As were previous editions, this edition is organized into an extensive alphabetical listing of the most commonly used drugs in veterinary medicine. The monograph for each drug includes specific information regarding its use, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, contraindications and adverse effects, safety for use in pregnant and neonatal animals, acute toxic effects (ie, overdose), interactions with other drugs, doses for multiple species and monitoring guidelines, synonyms, storage, compatibility and compounding considerations, and formulations and regulatory status in addition to information that should be provided to clients and references.
This edition contains 43 new drug monographs and updates to all the monographs contained in the seventh edition. Perhaps one of the most beneficial changes in this edition is more refined dosing recommendations for specific disease processes, which provides more guidance for ideal dosing. The drug monographs are followed by evaluations of ophthalmic medications, dermatologic agents, and otic preparations. The book has a complete and thorough appendix that contains tables with a vast array of information regarding parenteral fluids, measurement conversions, reference ranges for common laboratory analytes, and useful phone numbers and websites for further reference. New to the appendix of this edition are an outline of multidrug sensitivity in dogs and a list of the most common toxicoses observed in small animals.
Like previous editions, the eighth edition of this formulary is an excellent resource for veterinary students, veterinary technicians, general practitioners, specialists, and pharmacists. It is a very helpful tool in the day-to-day practice of veterinary medicine and will be a great asset to anyone providing veterinary care.
Reviewed by Roger A. Hostutler, DVM, MS, DACVIM
MedVet Medical & Cancer Center for Pets Worthington, Ohio
Saunders Equine Formulary (2nd edition)
Derek C. Knottenbelt & Fernando Malalana
494 pages. 2015. Saunders (an imprint of Elsevier). ISBN 978-0-7020-5109-8. Price $84.95.
The second edition of Saunders Equine Formulary is much more than a simple equine formulary. It is a complete and quick reference for physiologic variables, diagnostic procedures, and clinical techniques and contains an aging chart, conversion chart, guide to parturition and foal assessment, investigative protocols, lists of notifiable diseases and poisons, and an anesthesia reference in 1 pocket-sized paperback book. The preface of the book states that it is a “must have in the car” for equine and mixed-animal practitioners.
It will be an invaluable reference for new graduates because of the tips provided on prepurchase examinations, required equipment, and “car boot” lists.
The index of drugs used in equine medicine is exhaustive, complete, and succinct. The monograph for each drug consists of the indications and contraindications for its use, available formulations, dosages, and potential adverse effects. Drugs are indexed by their generic names, which helps the book maintain an international spectrum. The quick reference tables are easy to read and complement the text.
New to this edition is an interactive app format. Online access is easy and provides an alternate resource for an on-the-go equine formulary. Indications, contraindications, and dosages are provided in the same format as in the book. The updated drug list and colored graphs, photographs, and diagrams are all useful. The section on clinical aids has been revised to include descriptions for the restraint of difficult horses and field anesthesia. Overall, this book provides a compilation of references for the price of one and is a must-have reference for the vehicle of any equine practitioner.
Reviewed by Shannon Graham, DVM, DABVP
New England Equine Practice PC Patterson, NY
Equine Pharmacology
Cynthia Cole, Bradford Bentz, & Lara Maxwell
320 pages. 2015. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 978-0-8138-2262-4. Price $99.99.
Equine Pharmacology will be a valuable resource for practicing veterinarians and veterinary students who are interested specifically in treating horses and understanding the rationale for the most commonly used therapeutics in equine medicine. The editors of this book sought to provide a resource that would bridge the gap between in-depth pharmacological texts and drug formularies and have successfully accomplished that goal. The book is divided into 2 sections. One section provides general information on how horses differ from other species in their reactions to specific drug classes, and the other section provides system-based therapeutic recommendations. Given its stated purpose, the degree of detail throughout the book is excellent. For each therapeutic discussed, sufficient background material and references are provided to explain the rationale for its recommended use (including commonly used dosing regimens) or nonuse without overwhelming readers with too many details. Whether readers read this book chapter by chapter or use the index to search for specific therapeutics or conditions, it is easy to navigate and quickly find information of interest. The references provided are accurate and include influential comprehensive reviews for readers who desire more details regarding the rationale for various therapeutics. In summary, this book is a succinct and accurate resource that will provide readers with a clear understanding for most of the therapeutic options available for horses.
Reviewed by Mary A. Robinson, VMD, PhD
University of Pennsylvania Kennett Square, Pa
The Racehorse: A Veterinary Manual
Pieter H. L. Ramzan
372 pages. 2014. CRC Press (an imprint of Taylor & Francis Group). ISBN 978-1-4822-2191-6. Price $116.96.
The Racehorse: A Veterinary Manual contains a fairly exhaustive list of conditions relevant to racehorses that are organized by system and regions. The causes, risk factors, typical history, clinical signs, diagnostics, and treatment are briefly described for each condition. Although these descriptions are by no means extensive and lack reference citations, they are frequently accompanied by good graphics that complement the text. This book is a great quick reference for equine practitioners, especially recent graduates, and should be in the truck of any practitioner who examines and treats racehorses.
Reviewed by Omar Maher, DV, DACVS, DACVSMR
Atlantic Equine Services Dover, NH
BOOKS FOR VETERINARY TECHNICIANS
Laboratory Procedures for Veterinary Technicians (6th edition)
Margi Sirois
440 pages. 2015. Elsevier. ISBN 978-0-323-16930-1. Price $79.95.
Laboratory Manual for Laboratory Procedures for Veterinary Technicians (6th edition)
Margi Sirois
142 pages. 2015. Elsevier. ISBN 978-0-323-16926-4. Price $29.95.
The sixth edition of Laboratory Procedures for Veterinary Technicians and its accompanying Laboratory Manual are improved easy-to-read resources that can be used in curriculums for both veterinary assistants and technicians as well as a reference in veterinary hospitals. The textbook consists of 9 units including the veterinary practice laboratory, hematology, hemostasis, immunology, urinalysis, clinical chemistry, microbiology, parasitology, and cytology. Each unit has sample quiz questions with the answers provided for constant review and feedback.
This edition has many substantial updates, especially in the areas of laboratory mathematics, safety, and quality assurance. It also contains many additional colored illustrations and photomicrographs of blood cells, cytologic specimens, and urine sediment.
The addition of color photographs greatly improves the quality of the book and makes it useful as a quick reference guide. Also helpful are the key points and technician notes that emphasize the important learning objectives in each chapter.
The accompanying Laboratory Manual can be used in conjunction with the textbook and provides readers with a self-assessment tool that helps them identify their strengths and weaknesses. It is well illustrated and organized and will be useful in the curriculums for both veterinary assistants and veterinary technicians.
Reviewed by David Tollon, DVM, MBA
St Petersburg College Largo, Fla
BOOKS FOR CLIENTS
Amazing Grace: Our Littlest Hero
Ashleigh Rose Bottorff
168 pages. 2014. Ashleigh Rose and Associates. ISBN 978-0-6923-4426-2. Price $19.95.
Amazing Grace: Our Littlest Hero is a 7-part book written primarily for pet owners and individuals interested in pet rescue. The book begins with numerous short stories about animal rescues that animal lovers will find heartwarming and entertaining. Readers are introduced to animals that the author has rescued or adopted over the years and descriptions of how those rescues occurred.
This book provides valuable information about spay-and-neuter programs, animal welfare groups, feral cats, pet-friendly accommodations, and responsible pet ownership. However, the statistics provided for pet overpopulation and spay-and-neuter programs are unreferenced and may not be completely accurate. Web addresses are provided to assist readers in contacting animal welfare agencies, exploring low-cost spay-and-neuter options, and finding pet-friendly accommodations when traveling and will be a helpful resource for many pet owners.
Part 1, “Warm Animal Rescue Stories,” is a quick, easy, and entertaining read. Although parts 2 through 6 contain a few inaccuracies and a few web addresses that are no longer active, they are a valuable resource for pet owners. The book ends with a poem entitled “A Different Kind of Homeless” that is a plea for help written from the perspective of a homeless pet. Photographs in the book are not always of the highest quality, but photographs are not necessary for readers to understand the author's message: homeless animals have value and need our help.
Reviewed by Philip A. Bushby, DVM, MS, DACVS
Mississippi State University Mississippi State, Miss
