BOOKS FOR VETERINARIANS
Animal Behavior for Shelter Veterinarians and Staff
Emily Weiss, Heather Mohan-Gibbons, & Stephen Zawistowski
386 pages. 2015. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 978-1-118-71111-8. Price $79.99.
Animal Behavior for Shelter Veterinarians and Staff is a long overdue guide to the intricacies of animal behavior and its pervasive role in animal sheltering. The book offers insight on how behavior influences factors associated with pet relinquishment, how it affects their stay within a shelter, and how it impacts the chances for successful adoption. The editors provide a compilation of science-based chapters written by leading experts in the fields of animal behavior and shelter medicine. The book is divided into 4 sections, starting with an introduction to dog and cat behavior and the role pets play in today's society. The next 2 sections go into great detail regarding environmental enrichment, housing, and behavioral rehabilitation for dogs and cats. The final section discusses the transition from shelter to home, with a focus on the human aspects of animal adoption.
The apparent main goal of the book is to provide an overview of dog and cat behavior and a detailed, science-based account of how to maximize welfare and adoptability through a behavior-focused management, housing, and rehabilitation plan. It is a must-read for anyone working with shelter animals and will appeal to those who have an interest in shelter animals or animal behavior in general. The book is fairly priced and provides a wide array of behavior information and resources.
Reviewed by Meghan E. Herron, DVM, DACVB The Ohio State University Columbus, Ohio
Animal Behavior (2nd edition)
Michael D. Breed & Janice Moore
546 pages. 2016. Academic Press (an imprint of Elsevier). ISBN 978-0-12-801532-2. Price $79.95.
The second edition of Animal Behavior continues the approach of the first edition and uses Tenbergen's 4 questions regarding causation, survival, ontogeny, and evolution as its foundation. Consequently, this book is intended as a textbook for an introductory-level animal behavior course offered through a biology or zoology department rather than through a veterinary college. For readers familiar with the first edition, this edition, besides having new references in each area, includes new case studies and updated, expanded coverage of animal welfare and stand-alone chapters on cognition and conservation.
Each chapter is well organized and includes learning objectives and case studies with an abundance of excellent, useful figures that allow for easy understanding of the concepts presented. I found the chapters on communication, self-defense, and social behavior to contain good information and enjoyable to read. The authors do not shy away from discussing controversial areas of the respective topics.
The 2 chapters that will be of most value for veterinarians are those that cover learning and neurobiology and endocrinology. The information presented is well organized and easy to understand. The chapter on learning is especially useful because it addresses basic models of animal learning, social learning, and the effects of play on learning.
The major failing of this book for general veterinary practitioners is that the animals covered are typically nondomestic animals. Most case studies and examples involve insects, birds, lizards, and wild mammals. Each chapter does include a section on “Bringing Animal Behavior Home” which highlights companion animals. However, those sections appear intended to provide biology students a point of reference for the topic being discussed rather than in-depth coverage that would be of value to veterinarians and veterinary students.
Animal welfare is an emerging discipline in veterinary medicine. For readers interested in animals housed in zoological gardens, the welfare sections in this book have a lot to offer. However, I would direct readers who are interested in the welfare of domestic animals (including livestock and companion animals) to other excellent textbooks authored or edited by applied ethologists within agricultural and veterinary colleges.
I believe this book will be an excellent resource for veterinarians with an interest in behavior or veterinary behaviorists who want to gain perspectives on animal behavior that they may not have acquired during their veterinary curriculum. However, this book has limited value for general veterinary practitioners in clinical practice.
Reviewed by Gerrard Flannigan, DVM, MSc, DACVB Carolina Veterinary Specialists Greensboro and Huntersville, NC
Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia (5th edition)
Kurt A. Grimm, Leigh A. Lamont, William J. Tranquilli, Stephen A. Greene, & Sheilah A. Robertson
1,061 pages. 2015. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 978-1-118-52623-1. Price $149.99.
The fifth edition of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia (previously Lumb and Jones’ Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia) is a perfect resource for veterinary anesthesia, surgery, and critical care residents, technicians, and students. This book is an invaluable resource for any veterinarian looking to advance his or her knowledge of anesthesia.
The fifth edition is a drastic upgrade from the fourth edition. The physiology section provides information about basic physiology, with additional chapters dedicated to pathophysiology and advanced anesthesia techniques and management. The sections on physiology and pathophysiology are well organized with clear, concise explanations pertinent to the anesthetic management of all species. The chapters on fluid therapy have been expanded to include anesthetic management of coagulation and platelet disorders. A new chapter dedicated to thermoregulation physiology and management is a perfect addition to the book. The section on comparative anesthesia and analgesia provides readers with information on the similarities and differences in anesthetic management for various species from a practical perspective. Many of the diagrams in the book are printed in color and are accompanied by comprehensive and descriptive captions. The images provided in the equipment section are most helpful for appreciating the fine details about various pieces of equipment. That section provides information about both modern and generic anesthesia equipment that will be beneficial for any practitioner who uses anesthesia equipment. The pharmacology chapter is organized much like that of the fourth edition, but the information it contains has been updated and extensively expounded. New to this edition are chapters on the fundamentals of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, which provide excellent explanations on how those factors affect veterinary anesthesia from both clinical and experimental perspectives.
Overall, this edition has undergone major improvements; the chapters are well written and organized with updated information. This book will be a valuable addition to the library of any veterinarian with an interest in anesthesia and analgesia.
Reviewed by Ashley Barton-Lamb, DVM, DACVAA Angell Animal Medical Center Boston, Mass
Advances in Equine Upper Respiratory Surgery (Advances in Veterinary Surgery Series)
Jan Hawkins
282 pages. 2015. ACVS Foundation/Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 978-0-470-95960-2. Price $149.99.
Advances in Equine Upper Respiratory Surgery is published in conjunction with the Foundation of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons. Dr. Hawkins assembled a variety of authors, including some who occupy particular niches from the most common publishers and speakers on the subject. These authors have written brief but thorough chapters on quite specific aspects of a broader condition. For instance, the 15 chapters on recurrent laryngeal neuropathy provide a detailed dissection of the subject that is not commonly included in other books. Dorsal displacement of the soft palate is likewise described in great detail. Unfortunately, although arytenoid chondritis warranted the same attention, that condition is not described in such detail. The book describes multiple approaches to a similar problem. Descriptions of some surgical treatments that may not be universally performed are supplemented with descriptions of the most current treatments.
Although the focus of this book is surgery, description of an approach for working up the often multifactorial issue of poor performance secondary to respiratory dysfunction would have added a useful dimension. The quality of the graphics is somewhat variable. Most of the graphics are high quality and sharply depict the intended situations, but a few are dark, vague, or indistinct. The drawings are quite good.
Overall, this book is a useful reference that is thorough, accurate, and a quick read for any situation. I recommend it to veterinarians at all levels who have an interest in upper airway disorders of horses. Personally, I am pleased to own this book.
Reviewed by Kenneth E. Sullins, DVM, MS, DACVS Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine Blacksburg, Va
Manual of Canine and Feline Cardiology (5th edition)
Francis W. K. Smith Jr, Larry P. Tilley, Mark A. Oyama, & Meg M. Sleeper
455 pages. 2016. Saunders (an imprint of Elsevier). ISBN 978-0-323-18802-9. Price $135.00.
One of the most challenging aspects of practicing veterinary medicine is the ability to keep up with rapidly evolving clinical recommendations based on the current scientific literature. The fifth edition of the Manual of Canine and Feline Cardiology elegantly and concisely resolves this dilemma for veterinary practitioners. This 455-page textbook is beautifully illustrated with numerous high-quality graphics and diagnostic images. The bulleted format is easy to read with key points and chapter summaries readily set off from the text by color-coded boxes. The content is comprehensive, with each chapter written by an expert in the field. Newer concepts and technologies are addressed, providing readers a broad understanding of the practice of veterinary cardiology. Additionally, advanced concepts are discussed, which makes this book a great starting point for veterinary cardiology residents. Practitioners and specialists alike will find the drug formulary and genetic testing appendices indispensable. The authors have done an outstanding job of incorporating and citing current literature in the text and pointing out where there are deficits in said literature. New chapters such as those dedicated to genetic and biomarker testing of cardiovascular diseases and the role of nutrition in cardiovascular diseases expand the scope of the book and are excellent, practical additions. In short, this book provides an excellent summary of cardiac pathology, diagnosis, and treatment and will be an excellent resource for practitioners of all levels.
Reviewed by Sarah A. Zimmerman, DVM, DACVIM Advanced Veterinary Care Center Lawndale, Calif
Drug Therapy for Infectious Diseases of the Dog and Cat
Valerie J. Wiebe
314 pages. 2015. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 978-1-118-55734-1. Price $59.99.
Drug Therapy for Infectious Diseases of the Dog and Cat targets veterinary students and practicing clinical veterinarians who want to develop a rational approach for treating infectious diseases in dogs and cats. The author has effectively consolidated information from various sources to generate a succinct clinical resource. This book effectively outlines many common infectious diseases of dogs and cats and offers recommendations for both empirical and definitive treatments for specific infectious pathogens. The second half of the book reviews the antimicrobial, antifungal, antiparasitic, and antiviral agents commonly used in small animal practice.
A unique feature of this book is its focus on clinically relevant material. For example, the adverse reaction section within each therapeutic chapter is extremely detailed. In other drug references, the adverse effects associated with a drug often read like a laundry list, whereas in this book, the adverse effects for each drug are subcategorized into groups on the basis of the likelihood of occurrence (eg, > 10%, 1% to 10%, and < 1%). Another useful clinical reference in this book is the consolidated antimicrobial tables at the end of section D. For each class of antimicrobial that is commonly used in small animal practice, antimicrobial susceptibility is ranked as a function of organism type on the basis of common in vitro sensitivities, in vivo efficacy, and the potential for resistance.
The text focuses on providing practical and clinically relevant information, rather than a comprehensive review of the pathophysiology of infectious disease in dogs and cats, and will be particularly helpful for students. References are provided for readers who are interested in seeking more detailed information on specific topics. Experienced clinicians who have a specific interest in infectious disease may find this book to be a duplication of their current library.
Overall, I found this book to be a useful clinical handbook well worth the price. It is recommended as a practical clinical reference for small animal practitioners with limited experience in the area of infectious disease or veterinary students interested in learning clinical information necessary to effectively treat dogs and cats with common infectious diseases.
Reviewed by Katrina R. Viviano, DVM, PhD, DACVIM, DACVCP University of Wisconsin Madison, Wis
Nutritional Management of Hospitalized Small Animals
Daniel L. Chan
254 pages. 2015. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 978-1-4443-3647-4. Price $79.99.
Nutritional Management of Hospitalized Small Animals is an excellent summary of the enteral and parenteral feeding strategies for small animal patients and provides short and concise descriptions of the pathophysiology of various disease states. The book also has a short chapter on the nutritional support of exotic animals. This book is a reference intended for general and advanced practitioners, specialists, veterinary nurses and technicians, support staff, and others studying and researching the science of nutritional support. In my opinion, this book is appropriate for its intended audience and will enhance the skill set of all readers.
For individuals new to enteral and parenteral nutrition, the book provides step-by-step instructions with pictures for tube placement and descriptions for patient selection. Descriptions of the pathophysiology for various disease processes such as short bowel syndrome, refeeding syndrome, gastrointestinal motility disorders, superficial necrolytic dermatitis, kidney injury, hepatic failure, pancreatitis, and sepsis are a pleasant review and include valuable information for understanding the why and when for providing nutritional support to small animal patients. Tables throughout the book summarize and categorize dietary options available and are a valuable resource for practicing veterinarians. It is refreshing to find such a comprehensive collection of dietary options in 1 resource.
In short, this book is a succinct, clearly written reference guide that describes patient selection, pathophysiology, and criteria for initiating nutritional support and determining the most appropriate dietary characteristics for each patient.
Reviewed by Christine Willis-Mahn, DVM, DACVIM Midwest Veterinary Referral Center Chesterfield, Mo
Textbook of Veterinary Physiological Chemistry (3rd edition)
Larry R. Engelking
773 pages. 2014. Academic Press (an imprint of Elsevier). ISBN 978-0-12-391909-0. Price $99.95.
The third edition of the Textbook of Veterinary Physiological Chemistry is an outstanding reference for anyone who needs to tie physiology, biochemistry, nutrition, and disease together. The book succinctly addresses many topics including protein synthesis, fat metabolism, nutrition, and acid-base balance. It is laid out logically with concise chapters that interweave physiology with biochemistry.
To fully appreciate the text, readers need to have some prior knowledge of general chemistry and physiology. The book contains many physiology examples, and naïve readers will likely have difficulty following the text. However, this book will be a valuable resource to help students integrate material when used as a companion textbook for a physiology course.
One of the strengths of this book is its ability to relate biochemistry to disease conditions. The sections on nutrients outline the roles of specific nutrients in biochemical pathways then delineate how the absence or excess of a specific nutrient leads to clinical disease. Differences in biochemical pathways among species and breeds are also described, although that information is in various locations throughout the text. Regardless, the text will help students understand and appreciate necessary differences in pharmacotherapy among species.
Each chapter ends with a set of objectives and several fact-based, multiple-choice questions for self-assessment. The end of each section contains multiple-choice review questions along with the answers to those questions. Most graphs and illustrations are simple, 2-color flow charts or tables. The text is written simply without much elaboration. However, it contains many abbreviations, and the overuse of abbreviations in conjunction with the frequent bolding of words within the text is distracting and may cause some readers to miss the take-home point being conveyed because they are trying to determine what a particular abbreviation means or why a specific word is bolded.
Overall, this book is an excellent textbook that is filled with facts that will aid readers in understanding veterinary physiology, pharmacology, nutrition, and biochemistry. It is a strong addition to the veterinary literature.
Reviewed by James Herman, DVM, PhD Texas A&M University College Station, Tex
Veterinary Clinical Pathology: A Case-Based Approach
Kathleen P. Freeman & Stefanie Klenner
269 pages. 2015. CRC Press (an imprint of Taylor & Francis Group). ISBN 978-1-4822-2587-7. Price $59.95.
Veterinary Clinical Pathology: A Case-Based Approach provides a practical approach to the discipline of clinical pathology. The topic is presented in a completely case-based manner that is appropriate for both veterinary students and seasoned veterinarians. The general aims of the book are to provide explanations that focus on the thought process of the clinical pathologist who reviewed the case and to provide multiple methods for approaching case interpretation because the cases presented were obtained from many contributors. I believe the book accomplishes both of those aims.
This book will be most beneficial to those who like to focus on the clinical pathology of a case in its entirety before developing a list of differential diagnoses and determining a diagnostic plan. Multiple appendices are provided to help readers who may be unfamiliar with test abbreviations and the International System of Units (SI). For all cases, variables are presented in SI units instead of US customary units. My only criticism of the book is that the answer and explanation section for each case does not immediately follow the case description. The case descriptions for all cases are presented in their entirety followed by the answer and explanation section, so readers may find themselves flipping back and forth between the case description and its accompanying answer and explanation section to assimilate the information for 1 specific case. Overall, I believe this book is a good value for the price and will be an excellent resource for veterinarians interested in a review of clinical pathology cases to strengthen their critical thinking and data interpretation skills.
Reviewed by Sara L. Connolly, DVM, MS, DACVP University of Illinois Urbana, Ill
Pathology of the Developing Mouse: A Systematic Approach
Brad Bolon
430 pages. 2015. CRC Press (an imprint of Taylor & Francis Group). ISBN 978-1-4200-7008-8. Price $119.95.
Pathology of the Developing Mouse: A Systematic Approach is a much anticipated addition to the veterinary pathology reference literature. It is a fairly inexpensive textbook that will be useful for anyone who uses mice in developmental research.
As stated in chapter 1, “This book is designed for the developmental pathologist in us all.” The material presented will help beginning researchers involved in developmental biology as well as comparative pathologists and developmental biologists who already have considerable experience.
The book is well organized into sections, beginning with an introduction that has an excellent description of the background and importance of using mice in developmental biology research and the need for developmental pathologists. This is followed by sections entitled Mouse Developmental Biology Fundamentals, Experimental Methods in Mouse Developmental Pathology, and Mouse Developmental Pathology Analysis. All topics are covered well and include baseline anatomy and physiology, experimental design and statistics, anatomic pathology examination procedures, clinical pathology methods, and appropriate terminology for normal structures and lesions.
Detailed, easy-to-follow experimental protocols are described throughout the text. In many cases, there are multiple options for procedures with pros and cons discussed for each. Each chapter contains excellent tables, diagrams, and photographs and ends with a complete reference list.
Although there is a growing volume of information on mouse developmental biology in the literature and on the Internet, the authors of this book have done a great job of creating a synopsis of this information that can be easily used by anyone working or training in mouse pathology or developmental biology.
Reviewed by Stephen M. Griffey, DVM, PhD University of California-Davis Davis, Calif
The Care and Feeding of an IACUC: The Organization and Management of an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (2nd edition)
Whitney Kayla Petrie & Sonja Lea Wallace
364 pages. 2015. CRC Press (an imprint of Taylor & Francis Group). ISBN 978-1-4822-0110-9. Price $89.95.
Having served on IACUCs in academia, industry, and biotech sectors for over 15 years, I recommend the second edition of The Care and Feeding of an IACUC: The Organization and Management of an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee as a must-read for anyone who has the privilege of serving on an IACUC. I have worked with and personally know several of this book's authors and contributors, and collectively, they have done an excellent job compiling a well-written, straightforward, and easy-to-understand narrative. The information presented is clear and concise and provides readers with a big-picture overview of the role, responsibilities, and significance of an IACUC as well as the role it plays in facilitating research efforts and outcomes.
I found the tables in this book particularly useful for comparing the different regulatory stipulations surrounding the IACUC. I was particularly intrigued by the chapter on the role and power of the outside or nonaffiliated member on the IACUC because, in my experience, that individual often does not view himself or herself as having a substantial role or power on the committee.
Not once while reading this book did I feel overwhelmed or bored by the information conveyed. On the contrary, I kept thinking how useful this resource would have been at the start of my career in the field of biomedical research. I strongly recommend that this book be required reading for everyone serving on an IACUC, regardless of how experienced they may be, because I believe everyone can glean something useful from the information presented.
Reviewed by Laike St. A. Stewart, DVM, DACLAM University of Miami Miami, Fla
Arresting Contagion: Science, Policy, and Conflicts Over Animal Disease Control
Alan L. Olmstead & Paul W. Rhode
465 pages. 2015. Harvard University Press. ISBN 978-0-674-72877-6. Price $49.95.
Arresting Contagion: Science, Policy, and Conflicts Over Animal Disease Control focuses on the political and historical underpinnings that influenced the development of policy and legislation regarding animal disease control and public health in the United States starting in the 1870's. This book will appeal to those interested in how historical events have shaped current approaches to US animal health strategies. The authors manage to make the discussion of many historical events lively and interesting for readers and successfully cite relevant historical documents to support their points. The conflict between states’ rights and federal interests is illustrated through the formulation of animal disease control strategies and the imposition of stop movement orders and quarantine for several diseases that have been successfully eradicated from the United States. Furthermore, there is an emphasis on the conflict between market freedom and federal regulation. The historical record demonstrates how only through federal regulation was true progress made in controlling animal diseases with significant economic repercussions. The authors describe how initial successes related to animal health control were the foundation for later public health issues associated with meat and milk safety. Readers should be aware that the authors do not focus on the scientific aspects of the different animal diseases discussed, but instead explore the historical and political ramifications associated with their control. Readers expecting a scientific treatise on individual diseases will be disappointed. However, readers wanting to learn about the historical evolution of policies with a look towards continuing change as a result of new animal and public health threats will be fascinated with this treatise.
Reviewed by Sharon R. Thompson, DVM, MPH University of Tennessee Knoxville, Tenn
Practical Clinical Epidemiology for the Veterinarian
Aurora Villarroel
142 pages. 2015. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 978-1-118-47206-4. Price $59.99.
Practical Clinical Epidemiology for the Veterinarian is a new epidemiology textbook that is designed to be a “concise and straightforward” resource for practicing veterinarians. The book contains well-defined chapters, glossaries of terms and formulas, and an extensive list of references. A companion website includes a series of exercises with detailed answers.
The text contains basic explanations for many epidemiological concepts, such as disease frequency measures, study design, diagnostic test performance, and outbreak investigations. Each chapter includes numerous examples obtained directly from the primary literature that help illustrate the concepts introduced in that chapter. The writing style is easy to read, and the text avoids the use of unnecessary jargon but includes epidemiological terms commonly encountered in the clinical literature.
Although the book covers a wide variety of pertinent epidemiological concepts for practicing veterinarians, several topics receive only a cursory explanation. Many explanations are missing or overly simplistic and seem to depend on the use of examples to clarify or explain specific concepts. Important terms, such as inclusion and exclusion criteria, are used multiple times without being defined in the text or glossary. More defined or in-depth explanations would have been beneficial for today's practicing veterinarians. Unfortunately, the author missed an opportunity to create a robust resource on applied clinical epidemiology for practicing veterinarians.
Overall, this book describes important epidemiological concepts for practicing veterinarians. However, unless readers have a fairly holistic knowledge of epidemiology and a firm understanding of associated terms, they may have to seek other resources for more information on how to best incorporate clinical epidemiology into their daily practice.
Reviewed by Peggy Schmidt, DVM, MS, DACVPM Western University of Health Sciences Pomona, Calif
BOOKS FOR VETERINARY TECHNICIANS
Veterinary Anatomy Flash Cards (2nd edition)
Baljit Singh
400 flash cards. 2016. Saunders (an imprint of Elsevier). ISBN 978-1-4557-7683-2. Price $45.95.
The second edition of Veterinary Anatomy Flash Cards represents an interesting learning aid and a great tool for assisting in the memorization of topographical anatomy and its pertinent terminology. The flash cards are easy to use and contain great images.
However, I would recommend a few changes or improvements. The image on the front of the box that holds the cards is a reptile, but the majority of the flash cards focus on the anatomy of domestic animals. Only a few flash cards are dedicated to exotic animals. Thus, the box cover may be misleading to potential buyers.
The images contained on the flash cards were obtained from various textbooks, and those textbooks are cited within a reference booklet that is included with the cards. I believe that each card should contain a list of references. This will enable students to identify from which book each specific image was obtained.
A few of the flash cards contain review questions that will be very helpful to students. I would encourage expanding the number of cards with review questions in future editions to aid students in developing critical thinking skills. However, I did find a few minor errors on those cards. For example, the question on card 6–19 is incomplete; the distal aspect of the humerus has origins for muscle insertions that promote extension (lateral) and flexion (medial). The inclusion of a craniocaudal radiographic image such as that provided on card 6–20 would be more appropriate for that question than the image included on card 6–19. The question on card 7–18 is ambiguous, and the answer is missing; the image provided would be from the right limb if viewed from the distal-to-proximal aspect or the left limb if viewed from the proximal-to-distal aspect.
The flash cards that contain images of lymph nodes for large animals are very helpful. Additional flash cards with images of lymph nodes for small animals should be included in future editions. Despite the minor faults noted, these flash cards will be useful for veterinary and veterinary technician students who are learning anatomy.
Reviewed by Tatiana Motta, DVM, MS The Ohio State University Columbus, Ohio
Nutrition and Disease Management for Veterinary Technicians and Nurses (2nd edition)
Ann Wortinger & Kara Burns
255 pages. 2015. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 978-1-118-50927-2. Price $59.99.
The second edition of Nutrition and Disease Management for Veterinary Technicians and Nurses is a comprehensive, easy-to-use reference for veterinary technicians in clinical practice. Written by 2 veterinary technicians with vast experience and expertise in veterinary nutrition, this resource would also be a valuable textbook for veterinary students, technician students, and veterinary technicians pursuing advanced nutrition specialty training. The early sections of the book have been updated and cover nutrition basics including an overview of nutrients and energy, nutritional requirements of dogs and cats, and feeding management such as feeding during various life stages. These sections include chapters on energy balance, pet food labeling and regulation, homemade diets, and feeding requirements of dogs and cats. Practical content such as unit conversions and common nutrition calculations with examples is included. Chapters on raw food diets, pet food preservatives, and nutrition myths are very relevant to common discussions that occur between clients and veterinary staff. The figures and tables are well designed and easy to follow. This edition includes a new section on nutritional management of disease with 10 chapters that cover topics such as feline lower urinary tract disease, gastrointestinal disorders, and weight management. There is also a new section on the feeding management of avian, small pet mammal, and equine species. This reasonably priced book is available in paperback and e-book formats and includes access to a companion website that was not yet available at the time of this review.
Reviewed by Laura Eirmann, DVM, DACVN Nestlé Purina PetCare St. Louis, Mo and Oradell Animal Hospital Paramus, NJ
Surgical Patient Care for Veterinary Technicians and Nurses
Gerianne Holzman & Teri Raffel
214 pages. 2015. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 978-0-470-95976-3. Price $59.99.
Surgical Patient Care for Veterinary Technicians and Nurses is a reference intended for veterinary technicians primarily involved with surgical patient care, but is also a good resource for veterinary technician students or entry level veterinary technicians. Perhaps the most impressive feature of the book is the number of high-quality photographs that provide readers with visual examples of procedures detailed within the text.
This book can essentially be divided into 3 components: preoperative preparation, surgical procedures, and postoperative care. The first and third portions of the book are the most clearly and logically arranged, with the chapter covering surgical procedures being less well organized. Chapters 1 and 2 can be read in a chronological fashion, beginning with the history and physical examination and progressing through preoperative diagnostic testing and preparations. Several useful figures and diagrams are found within those chapters. Chapters 3 and 4 cover surgical asepsis, instrumentation, and surgical assisting in a very thorough fashion. The last third of the book does not go into the same depth as the first third, but it is still clear and thorough. The information concerning burn treatment was particularly informative.
The aspect of this book that I found most disappointing is chapter 5, which describes various surgical procedures. The arrangement of the procedures seems disorganized, and a large amount of text focuses on orthopedic and neurologic surgeries, whereas some common surgeries such as cystotomy and ophthalmic and trauma repair procedures are omitted. Overall, this book is a good reference for anyone seeking to refresh their surgical knowledge.
Reviewed by Elizabeth Burchette Thompson, DVM Lincoln Memorial University Harrogate, Tenn