books for veterinarians
Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (4th edition)
Mark G. Papich
900 pages. 2016. Saunders (an imprint of Elsevier). ISBN 978-0-323-24485-5. Price $79.95.
The fourth edition of Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs is an update to previous editions and remains a concise source of information regarding drug therapy in small and large animals (with occasional dosages provided for avian and exotic pets). The advantages of this edition include its relatively small size and portability, the inclusion of conversion tables (eg, metric units and body surface area) inside the front cover, a combined index with both brand and generic names, a companion website with customizable client handouts, and appendices that cover topics such as the compatibility of various drugs with parenteral solutions and procedures for reporting adverse drug reactions. Individual drug monographs (which include drugs newer to veterinary use such as telmisartan) are divided into easy-to-access sections (eg, pharmacology and mechanism of action, indications for clinical use, and highlighted precautionary information), with frequent mention of supporting data from peer-reviewed veterinary literature as well as discussion of anecdotal use. Actual references are not listed either for information in the text or for drug dosages (which are generally limited to 1 or 2 recommendations as opposed to a list of a variety of dosage regimens). This may be a disadvantage for cases where appraisal of the primary information source would be useful in the selection of a treatment protocol; however, it is consistent with the stated purpose of the volume, which is to be a “concise, easy-to-use … handbook.” The book contains occasional typographical errors that may initially be confusing (eg, under high-dose enrofloxacin for UTI), but overall, it is up-to-date and well organized and will likely continue to be a useful clinical reference for practitioners and veterinary students.
Reviewed by Melissa Clark, DVM, PhD, DACVCP
Animal Medical Center
New York, NY
Handbook of Small Animal Regional Anesthesia and Analgesia Techniques
Phillip Lerche, Turi K. Aarnes, Gwen Covey-Crump, & Fernando Martinez Taboada
92 pages. 2016. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 978-1-118-74182-5. Price $64.99.
Local anesthetic techniques are a fundamental part of preventative pain management strategies that confer preemptive analgesia and reduce the deleterious long-term effects of uncontrolled acute pain. Recognition of the value of local and regional anesthesia has increased recently, and the Handbook of Small Animal Regional Anesthesia and Analgesia Techniques will make an excellent addition to the libraries of practitioners eager to expand their clinical repertoire.
This book begins with a discussion of local anesthetic theory, descriptions of commonly used amide formulations, and required equipment. Next is a visual guide to the cutaneous innervation of the dog, which will be valuable to practitioners when choosing a technique. The remainder of the book focuses on specific techniques and is divided into infiltration blocks, blocks for the head and limbs, and epidural or spinal block placement. The final chapter addresses potential complications of regional analgesia.
The book is formatted such that an individual technique is described on a left-hand page and a stylized anatomic drawing and photographs of the clinical performance of that technique are provided on the adjacent right-hand page. The spiral-bound design allows the manual to lie flat for reference during procedures. The book includes descriptions of the most common as well as some more advanced techniques. Although it would be hard to learn the more difficult local anesthetic procedures directly from this book, it will be a superb reference for practitioners who have taken a continuing education course on advanced local anesthesia and analgesia techniques.
The succinct nature of the text limits discussion of controversial issues such as toxic doses and the use of mixtures of short- and long-acting local anesthetics. Additionally, the use of IV lipid emulsion for the treatment of systemic toxicosis is mentioned but not elaborated on. Finally, I was surprised that a description of carpal blocks for feline declawing procedures was not included.
Overall, this book is an excellent addition to the literature and will be appreciated by anyone interested in local and regional anesthesia.
Reviewed by Lydia Love, DVM, DACVAA
Animal Emergency & Referral Associates
Fairfield, NJ
Questions and Answers in Small Animal Anesthesia
Lesley J. Smith
376 pages. 2016. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 978-1-118-91283-6. Price $59.99.
Questions and Answers in Small Animal Anesthesia directly addresses many of the most commonly asked questions by practicing veterinarians related to anesthetic management. It contains a review of the basics of anesthetic management and protocol selection for individual patients. In this book, the author has provided a great reminder of all the nuances taught about the subject in veterinary school, but perhaps no longer remembered. The inclusion of information about the newest agents introduced for anesthetic and analgesic management in small animals sets this book apart from other textbooks. The preanesthesia equipment check procedure table is comprehensive and emphasizes the importance of checking all equipment prior to use.
The troubleshooting chapters address common adverse effects associated with anesthesia and describe how to manage them. The flow chart for the treatment of intraoperative hypotension will aid readers in assessing the cause and choosing the correct response. Many complications occur during recovery from anesthesia, and there is chapter dedicated to troubleshooting problems that develop during this critical period.
Two chapters are dedicated to recognizing and assessing pain in dogs and cats. The fact that this topic is discussed in separate chapters for each species emphasizes the importance of differences in pain behavior and management between the 2 species. Another chapter details anesthetic considerations specific for cats.
Half of the text is dedicated to anesthetic considerations for companion animals with various common disease processes and organ dysfunctions. There is a chapter dedicated to anesthetic considerations for specific breeds and animals with brachycephalic syndrome. The chapters on rabbits, ferrets, and birds cover important aspects for successful anesthetic management of those species.
Bolding of the Q, or question portion, of the text would make it easier for readers to differentiate the questions from the answers. Overall, this is an easy-to-read, logically organized veterinary anesthesia reference that is appropriate for both veterinarians and veterinary technicians who are responsible for anesthetizing veterinary patients.
Reviewed by Julie Ann Smith, DVM, DACVAA
Gulf Coast MedVet Medical and Cancer Centers for Pets
Metairie, La
BSAVA Manual of Canine Practice: A Foundation Manual
Tim Hutchinson & Ken Robinson
358 pages. 2015. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 978-1-905319-48-0. Price $130.00.
In the past decade, several new textbooks have become available that tout that they are the single volume that provides most of the material busy practitioners might need on a daily basis. At first glance, the BSAVA Manual of Canine Practice: A Foundation Manual is another such book. It superficially covers a broad selection of clinically oriented information, consisting of chapters on internal medicine, behavior, surgery, and even emergency care. However, this book makes no attempt to exhaustively cover the broad cross section of material needed for daily practice. Its mandate is implied in its title; this is a foundation book and is intended to concisely cover a limited range of topics useful to clinicians just beginning clinical small animal practice. As such, it succeeds in packing a lot of basic information into 358 pages and does so in a format that makes accessing that information simple.
The book consists of short chapters. Each chapter provides an introduction to topics such as lameness, behavior problems, dealing with emergency cases, and lumps and bumps. Clearly, each of those topics are worthy of their own textbook, so the material presented is, by necessity, brief. Photographs are ubiquitous and of good quality. Various chapters are packed with useful tips, tables, and a series of quick reference guides, which provide a detailed approach to specific issues in a simple step-by-step format.
The material presented in this book is sufficiently basic to be of limited use to most experienced practitioners. However, this book will be an invaluable reference for veterinary students and new or recent graduates. Although it is not exhaustive, it is infinitely useful, and it is a book that I wish had been given to me on my first day in private practice.
Reviewed by Craig Maloney, DVM, DABVP
Mountain View Animal Hospital
Boise, Idaho
Blackwell's Five-Minute Veterinary Consult: Canine and Feline (6th edition)
Larry P. Tilley & Francis W. K. Smith Jr
1,622 pages. 2016. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 978-1-118-88157-6. Price $109.99.
The sixth edition of Blackwell's Five-Minute Veterinary Consult: Canine and Feline is an updated continuation of what is expected from this well-known series. This is not a glamorous book and does not contain a large number of photographs; however, it is a great down-and-dirty reference for busy general practitioners because it focuses on clinically relevant material. It is not intended to provide in-depth details about specific diseases or provide instruction on how to perform procedures; many other textbooks are available for that.
This book covers 846 topics. Each topic is concisely and thoroughly reviewed in 1 to 2 pages in an easy-to-read bulleted format by an expert in the field. The description for each topic contains a basic overview and recommended diagnostic procedures (including expected laboratory and imaging findings), treatments, medications, follow-up, and client education. Web addresses are provided as additional resources for some topics. The treatment section often provides a list of multiple possible treatments but may lack direction owing to the consolidated text. Practitioners may need to refer to other resources for information about more complicated cases.
The book has a companion website, which can be accessed by a password provided at the time of purchase. The best feature of the website is the 354 client education handouts. These handouts are fairly extensive and are generally 3 to 4 pages long. They can be altered prior to printing, which is helpful because not all information provided may be relevant to a particular patient. This book is an international reference, so some medications described both in the text and client handouts may not be available in all countries.
The authors strive to publish an updated version of this book on a regular basis so that the information remains as current and clinically relevant as possible. This edition is no exception, and most of the cited references were published between 1990 and 2015. This book is fairly priced and will provide a good general resource for busy veterinary clinics.
Reviewed by Robin Jaeger, DVM, DABVP
East End Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Center
Riverhead, NY
Small Animal ECGs: An Introductory Guide (3rd edition)
Mike Martin
156 pages. 2015. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 978-1-118-40973-2. Price $49.99.
The third edition of Small Animal ECGs: An Introductory Guide provides a great introduction to the basics of electrocardiography. It does an excellent job of describing the most common arrhythmias encountered in small animal veterinary medicine. This edition contains several improvements including a new chapter on Holter monitoring and a discussion of the mechanisms of certain arrhythmias. One of the most striking improvements in this edition is that the illustrations are now printed in color, which really enhances the diagrams and illustrations. Overall, this book does an excellent job of describing the most common arrhythmias encountered, with easy-to-follow key points highlighted. It is an excellent guide for readers interested in gaining a basic understanding of how to read ECGs and treat patients with arrhythmias.
Reviewed by Rob Sanders, DVM, MS, DACVIM
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Mich
Atlas of Normal Radiographic Anatomy & Anatomic Variants in the Dog and Cat (2nd edition)
Donald E. Thrall & Ian D. Robertson
303 pages. 2015. Saunders (an imprint of Elsevier). ISBN 978-0-323-31225-7. Price $194.00.
The second edition of the Atlas of Normal Radiographic Anatomy & Anatomic Variants in the Dog and Cat provides veterinarians and veterinary students with a valuable resource for the evaluation of commonly observed radiographic variations of normal anatomy of dogs and cats. The first chapter discusses basic imaging principles including animal positioning, common orthogonal views that should be obtained for major body regions, radiographic terminology, and proper orientation of radiographs for reviewing. Additionally, that chapter contains useful tables and figures that summarize the ages at which ossification centers appear and physeal closures occur in both species. The remaining chapters are divided by area of interest (skull, spinal column, thoracic limbs, pelvic limbs, thorax, and abdomen). The radiographic images included in this book are of high quality, with the normal anatomy pointed out or outlined with solid or dotted lines. Some of the radiographic images are accompanied by corresponding CT images (2-D and 3-D reconstructions) to help readers understand the orientation of the anatomy on the image.
The discussion of normal anatomic variants makes this book stand out from other radiographic references for dogs and cats. As a board-certified veterinary radiologist who works closely with general practitioners, the images and text provided in this book answer many of the questions I am asked when practitioners are trying to decide whether an observed structure is of clinical importance. Although this book is titled an atlas, each figure and chapter contain a substantial amount of text to describe the images and what causes normal variations. This book will be a useful reference for anyone who interprets radiographs and is frequently faced with making decisions about the importance of specific radiographic findings.
Reviewed by Jennifer Grimm, DVM, MS, DACVR
Hampden Family Pet Hospital
Englewood, Colo
Fundamentals of Canine Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiology
Etsuro E. Uemura
424 pages. 2015. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 978-1-118-77176-1. Price $99.99.
Fundamentals of Canine Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiology is a welcome addition to the ever-growing neuroanatomy and neurophysiology library. This book is a good resource for veterinary students and clinicians and will provide them with a brief overview of many aspects of neurology. It is straightforward yet comprehensive, and not only reviews the structure and function of the nervous system but also describes the clinical application of the information provided.
The book contains 22 chapters with access to a companion website. The author provides self-evaluation questions and a list of additional references for further reading at the end of each chapter. The illustrations, photographs, photomicrographs, and MRI images are used in an effective manner and are well placed throughout the text. This is one of few books that provides a good review of neuroanatomy and discussion of practical neurology with accompanying images.
The book is reasonably priced and will be a good addition to the libraries of both general practitioners and veterinary students. I definitely recommend this book for students or clinicians who desire more knowledge of the anatomy and pathophysiology of the canine nervous system.
Reviewed by Stephanie Kube, DVM, DACVIM
Veterinary Neurology and Pain Management Center of New England
Walpole, Mass
Practical Guide to Canine and Feline Neurology (3rd edition)
Curtis W. Dewey & Ronaldo C. da Costa
672 pages. 2016. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 978-1-119-94611-3. Price $149.99.
The third edition of Practical Guide to Canine and Feline Neurology is a welcome revision to the excellent second edition. The book follows a logical format and provides a review of the neurologic examination, clinical neuroanatomy, and anatomic localization. The text is organized on the basis of anatomic localization (ie, encephalopathies, vestibular disorders, myelopathies, disorders affecting the cauda equina, disorders affecting peripheral nerves, myopathies, and junctionopathies). Each chapter is logically presented and includes a discussion of clinical findings, differential diagnoses organized by the DAMNIT-V (degenerative, anomalous, metabolic, neoplastic, inflammatory, traumatic, and vascular) scheme, diagnostic tests, treatment, and prognosis. Separate chapters are dedicated to seizure management, head trauma, spinal column trauma, and physical rehabilitation. Each chapter is clear and concise, yet comprehensive and up-to-date.
This edition contains several welcome additions and improvements. Similar to the second edition, the provided information is thorough, practical, and timely. New to this edition is an entire chapter dedicated to MRI, including a description of associated physics, applications, and approaches to image interpretation; a section on movement disorders; an expanded section on differential diagnoses; and hundreds of beautiful, clinically useful color images and figures. There is also a companion website that contains videos and supplemental material.
I believe this book should be part of every veterinarian's library. It is an easy reference for readers who need to look something up quickly. The text is written in a manner that is easy to read for veterinary students and veterinarians who are still uncomfortable with neurology, yet it is comprehensive for residents who are studying for board (medical and surgical) certification as well as specialists who are already certified.
Reviewed by Michael A. Wong, DVM, DACVIM
Southeast Veterinary Neurology
Miami, Fla
Brinker, Piermattei, and Flo's Handbook of Small Animal Orthopedics and Fracture Repair (5th edition)
Charles E. DeCamp, Spencer A. Johnston, Loïc M. Déjardin, & Susan L. Schaefer
868 pages. 2016. Saunders (an imprint of Elsevier). ISBN 978-1-4377-2364-9. Price $139.00.
The fifth edition of Brinker, Piermattei, and Flo's Handbook of Small Animal Orthopedics and Fracture Repair comes 10 years after the fourth edition and has 3 new authors in Spencer Johnston, Loïc Déjardin, and Susan Schaefer. The content and style are largely similar to those of the previous edition. That being said, this book contains a concise description of years of scientific literature and clinical experience summarized in a very useful and sensible manner. The referenced scientific literature is reasonably up-to-date, with the cited references for most chapters dating from 2013 or later. The chapters are well organized and contain pertinent information regarding anatomic descriptions, differential diagnoses, and important aspects of surgical technique, postoperative care, and prognosis. Most of the images and illustrations are taken from the previous edition because there was no need to alter them. New to this edition are some helpful medical illustrations that relate to advances in implant technology and surgical techniques and more examples of advanced diagnostic (CT and MRI) images that depict various orthopedic conditions. Perhaps the most notable change in this edition is the added information about arthroscopy and minimally invasive surgery techniques. The text contains updated information on orthopedic implants and their uses, specifically in regard to locking plate technology and advances in interlocking nail fixation. This book continues to be an excellent orthopedic resource for veterinary students, interns, small animal surgery residents, general practitioners, and orthopedic surgeons.
Ralph Millard, DVM, MS, DACVS
BluePearl Specialty & Emergency Veterinary Care
Overland Park, Kan
Veterinary Dentistry: Self-Assessment Color Review (2nd edition)
Frank J. M. Verstraete & Anson J. Tsugawa
254 pages. 2016. CRC Press (an imprint of Taylor & Francis Group). ISBN 978-1-4822-2545-7. Price $43.95.
The second edition of Veterinary Dentistry: Self-Assessment Color Review will be a great addition to any veterinarian's library. It is a wonderful source of the most up-to-date information in veterinary dentistry for general practitioners, residents, or board-certified veterinary dentists. This edition is organized similarly to the first edition and has 228 individual case descriptions complete with thought-provoking questions, which are geared to challenge any veterinarian regardless of the extent of his or her dental knowledge. The cases are randomly ordered and cover all disciplines of dentistry (endodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, oral surgery, and restoratives). Each case includes an in-depth, easy-to-understand response and explanation to each question. The new edition includes a wide range of cases, from cutting-edge dental procedures and treatment options to the core information imperative to the foundation of dentistry. The color photographs that accompany each case are outstanding, easy to interpret, and of high quality. The cases that are included in this edition are problems that are seen in everyday practice, and the treatment options that are described can be implemented immediately. The original edition was published 17 years ago, and there have been numerous advances in various dental materials since then; thus, this edition is definitely a necessary and relevant update. The first few pages of the book contain an extensive recommended reading list. Unfortunately, some of the published articles that the authors subsequently cite throughout the book are not referenced in that list. Overall, this is an excellent, thorough self-assessment reference for any veterinarians who want to improve their dental knowledge.
Reviewed by Scott MacGee, DVM, DAVDC
Companion Animal Dentistry of Kansas City
Lenexa, Kan
Efficient Livestock Handling: The Practical Application of Animal Welfare and Behavioral Science
Bonnie V. Beaver & Donald L. Höglund
213 pages. 2016. Academic Press (an imprint of Elsevier). ISBN 978-0-12-418670-5. Price $59.46.
I looked forward to reviewing Efficient Livestock Handling: The Practical Application of Animal Welfare and Behavioral Science, a book that is meant to focus on the “practical application” of livestock handling. My perspective is from a lifetime of commercial sheep and cattle production and working as an extension educator. I consider the audience for the book to be both livestock veterinarians and livestock producers.
The first 4 chapters focus on the “why” of livestock behavior and the last 5 on the “how to” of handling. The “why” section is very in-depth and has extensive references; 1 chapter has over 150 references. Each chapter contains abundant information on topics such as historical perspectives, behavior, genetics, environments and hormones, and learning in livestock. However, it is up to readers to identify and compile the critical points and how they impact livestock handling.
The 5 “how to” chapters focus on livestock type (horse, dairy, beef, swine, and sheep and goats). The horse and dairy chapters are most useful with good examples and excellent graphics. The handling recommendations for other livestock species are basic and minimally address handling large herds or flocks in pasture or open-range situations or working livestock on horseback or with dogs. The use of nonstandard terminology, for example, flight distance instead of flight zone and personal distance instead of personal space, might cause confusion for some readers.
The strengths of this book are its horse and dairy cattle handling sections. Unfortunately, although the behavioral and welfare sections contain a lot of information, it is not summarized or easy to read.
Reviewed by Ben Bartlett, DVM
Log Cabin Livestock
Traunik, Mich
Epidemiology for Field Veterinarians: An Introduction
Evan Sergeant & Nigel Perkins
311 pages. 2015. CAB International. ISBN 978-1-84593-683-9. Price $145.00.
Epidemiology consists of complex sets of ideas relating to how we think about health and disease in human and animal populations. Therefore, composing an action-oriented textbook that easily explains concepts as abstract as causation or misclassification bias requires innovation. Epidemiology for Field Veterinarians: An Introduction passes the test for a good introductory textbook that adequately explains the depth, breadth, and width of the various applications of epidemiology in both regulatory and contemporary veterinary practice settings.
The book consists of 15 chapters that emphasize key competencies and knowledge areas expected of practicing veterinarians. These include disease outbreak investigations, evaluation and use of diagnostic tests, population sampling techniques, data collection and management, animal health surveillance and evaluation, and an introduction to statistical thinking. Readers are also introduced to advanced epidemiological tools such as risk analysis and the application of geographic information systems (ie, spatial epidemiology) in animal health research.
The most appealing aspects of this book are its organization and well-structured chapters, which make it easy to read. A cheaper version of the book is available electronically for convenient on-the-road access with portable e-readers. A major drawback of the book is the lack of a chapter dedicated to the increasingly important use of molecular epidemiology techniques (eg, gene sequencing) in understanding the pathogenesis and genetic basis of animal diseases. The lack of a companion website that allows readers access to the data used in the examples discussed in the book is another limitation. Nevertheless, this book is a great reference.
Although the target audience for the book is practicing veterinarians with a presumed lack of prior formal training in epidemiology, students, educators, and other scientists interested in research and clinical topics relevant to animal health, disease ecology, and food safety will find this book to be an invaluable resource.
Reviewed by Patrick Pithua, BVM, PhD
University of Missouri
Columbia, Mo
Food Safety Risks from Wildlife: Challenges in Agriculture, Conservation, and Public Health
Michele Jay-Russell & Michael P. Doyle
254 pages. 2016. Springer International Publishing. ISBN 978-3-319-24440-2. Price $149.00.
Food Safety Risks from Wildlife: Challenges in Agriculture, Conservation, and Public Health is a well-written hardcover textbook that will be an excellent practical reference for wildlife and food safety specialists, microbiologists, epidemiologists, and veterinarians. The purpose of the book is to share information and insights into emerging topics related to wildlife and food safety, and the authors have accomplished that purpose in an excellent manner.
The book consists of 11 chapters written by multiple authors that cover the entire range of potential pathways for transmission of foodborne pathogens from wildlife to food products. Each chapter contains an extensive list of references. A wide range of important topics are discussed, such as an overview of foodborne pathogens in wildlife populations, microbiological hazards of wild birds and free-range chickens, molecular tools for monitoring and source-tracking Salmonella spp in wildlife and the environment, and a one health approach to wildlife and food safety. The book also has an informative chapter regarding the European perspective on the transmission of foodborne pathogens at the wildlife-livestock-human interface. Comprehensive tables are provided that summarize the prevalence of zoonotic pathogens in wild mammals, birds, amphibians, and reptiles and the context, transmission modes, and risk factors for food system–associated disease events.
The authors of this book have certainly attained their goal of advancing the understanding of wildlife's potential impact on food safety and public health. Every wildlife and food safety veterinarian should have this book in their library.
Reviewed by Daniel E. Lafontaine, DVM, MPH, DACVPM
HACCP Consulting Group LLC
Bel Air, Md
Veterinary Parasitology (4th edition)
M.A. Taylor, R. L. Coop, & R. L. Wall
1,006 pages. 2016. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 978-0-470-67162-7. Price $229.99.
The first edition of Veterinary Parasitology was released in 1987 and was written from expanded class notes for students of veterinary parasitology and veterinarians. It has become a more detailed reference and textbook through the successive editions, and the intended audience for the fourth edition now includes university research groups, those in government service, and others involved with parasitic diseases in addition to veterinary students and veterinarians. I have used the previous editions of this book for classroom instruction and training research scientists because it provides a solid knowledge base. With each edition, new sections are added that provide detailed descriptions of advances in the field of veterinary parasitology. This edition is no different and contains many taxonomic changes and descriptions of parasite control strategies that have been accepted by the discipline. The book is divided into sections that include parasite descriptions, laboratory diagnostics, antiparasitics (including a good discussion of resistance and alternative control strategies), epidemiology, host resistance, and host-specific parasites. The sheer volume of this edition indicates the vast amount of material that veterinary parasitology encompasses. This edition still provides a broad and complete description of commonly encountered parasites as well as coverage of lesser-known parasites. At the beginning of the book, there is a general taxonomic classification section that is a good quick reference, and in part 2, the end of each chapter has a host-parasite checklist, which is also very helpful. Additionally, except for chapters 1 through 3, the beginning of each chapter has a brief list of contents; the absence of this list in chapters 1 through 3, whether intentional or not, makes it difficult to find specific information quickly in those chapters. Nevertheless, anyone who works or has an interest in veterinary parasitology should consider having this resource at their disposal.
Reviewed by James E. Miller, DVM, MPVM, PhD, DACVM
Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge, La
Sarcocystosis of Animals and Humans (2nd edition)
J. P. Dubey, R. Calero-Bernal, B. M. Rosenthal, C. A. Speer, & R. Fayer
481 pages. 2016. CRC Press (an imprint of Taylor & Francis Group). ISBN 978-1-4987-1012-1. Price $139.95.
The second edition of Sarcocystosis of Animals and Humans comprehensively reviews an important genus of parasitic protozoa that will interest veterinarians, budding classical parasitologists, and serious researchers. Veterinarians will find the book's organization, spectacular figures, and clinically relevant discussions time saving and on point. The authors describe the biology and life cycle of each species, which provides parasitology students with sort of a CliffsNotes version of a Sarcocystis textbook. The extensive single-source bibliography is a time-saver for any writers on the topic. Interested students who read the primary literature will gain a sense of the research climate that influenced each paper, topics that make parasitology fascinating, but they will only get an occasional glimpse of that in this book. Sarcocystis devotees may notice minor editing errors and the almost word-for-word reproduction of some papers. Truly interested researchers will appreciate the foundation and foreshadowing this book provides to the field of parasitology. The final chapters provide readers insight into the journeymen-generations transition to the coming era of molecular parasitology. The authors have preserved their lives’ work, a cornerstone on which future proteomic scientists will build. As noted by these and other researchers, science advances when hypotheses withstand independent validation, or science is self-correcting. Some opinions concerning pathogenesis of disease, toxins, and genetic markers employed for phylogenetic and diagnostic purposes await new insights and independent validation.
Reviewed by Siobhan Ellison, DVM, PhD
Pathogenes Inc
Reddick, Fla
Marine Mammals: Evolutionary Biology (3rd edition)
Annalisa Berta, James L. Sumich, & Kit M. Kovacs
726 pages. 2015. Academic Press (an imprint of Elsevier). ISBN 978-0-12-397002-2. Price $89.95.
The third edition of Marine Mammals: Evolutionary Biology has 2 intended purposes. First, it serves as a comprehensive textbook for undergraduate, graduate, or professional level courses on marine mammal biology. Second, it is a basic reference for marine mammal researchers, veterinarians, and educators. The book is divided into 3 sections that cover a breadth of topics, including evolutionary history and classification, anatomy, physiology, and population biology, and ends with a brief introduction to marine mammal conservation and management issues. The chapters contain information on pinnipeds, cetaceans, sirenians, polar bears, and sea otters, with the most in-depth information provided for pinnipeds and cetaceans. Highlights of the book include information on taxonomy and evolution, illustrations of basic skeletal anatomy, and tables that detail reproductive variables such as gestation length, mean birth weight, and the reproductive interval for various species. It also contains a review of techniques used in population level investigations. This edition follows the same basic format and chapter structure as the second edition, with updated figures and tables provided in many chapters.
Although marine mammal clinicians will undoubtedly seek out additional, more detailed references on anatomy and physiology, this book provides basic reference material that can be used not only by marine mammal veterinarians but also educators who are seeking instructional material for marine mammal medicine courses. I highly recommend this book for veterinary students or veterinarians at the start of their careers in marine mammal medicine or research who are looking for a supplemental reference on marine mammal biology.
Reviewed by Kathleen M. Colegrove, DVM, PhD, DACVP
University of Illinois
Urbana, Ill
Marine Mammals of the World: A Comprehensive Guide to Their Identification (2nd edition)
Thomas A. Jefferson, Marc A. Webber, & Robert L. Pitman
608 pages. 2015. Academic Press (an imprint of Elsevier). ISBN 978-0-12-409542-7. Price $76.46.
The second edition of Marine Mammals of the World: A Comprehensive Guide to Their Identification is fittingly titled. The authors have compiled a comprehensive collection of morphological descriptions of the globe's extant marine mammal species. Although not the focus of the content, it also includes a fair amount of natural history, and the photographs are stunning.
This book contains descriptions of 89 distinct cetaceans comprised of baleen and toothed whales (small-toothed whales, dolphins, and porpoises), 33 pinnipeds (seals and sea lions), 4 sirenians (manatees and dugongs), polar bears, and 2 otter species. Also included are descriptions of 4 extinct species of marine mammals, one of which was declared extinct since the first edition of this book was published. The text is enhanced by the inclusion of 7 taxonomic identification keys, which will be very useful for members of marine mammal stranding response networks, field biologists, museum curatorial staff, or anyone trying to determine just what sort of marine mammal they have in front of them.
Accurate identification of marine mammals is essential for stock assessments and identifying trends in stranding rates or geographical distribution patterns. Identification of some species such as beaked whales can be very challenging. This book is an incredible asset for solving those identification problems and is a must-have for any person or entity responsible for positively identifying marine mammals.
Reviewed by William Van Bonn, DVM
John G. Shedd Aquarium
Chicago, Ill
Exotic Animal Medicine: A Quick Reference Guide (2nd edition)
Lance Jepson
645 pages. 2016. Saunders (an imprint of Elsevier). ISBN 978-0-323-32849-4. Price $99.95.
As an experienced exotic animal veterinarian, I find the first edition of Exotic Animal Medicine: A Quick Reference Guide to be one of my favorite go-to books. It is cleverly organized according to organ system and clinical signs. The thorough differential lists are helpful for both experienced and new exotic animal veterinarians. As expected, it also gives diagnostic test and treatment recommendations. It contains some formulary entries that I have been unable to find elsewhere. For new exotic animal veterinarians, it also has some basic consultation information.
Like the first edition, the second edition covers a wide variety of species such as amphibians and fish. This edition also has sections on common marmosets, hedgehogs, and sugar gliders. I was sad to see that the paper and picture quality of this edition are substantially lacking over those of the first edition. Nevertheless, this book is a concise, to-the-point, easy, and quick reference with accurate and helpful information. I definitely recommend this book to both new and ex perienced exotic animal veterinarians.
Reviewed by Melanie A. Roberts, DVM
Allison Lane Animal Hospital
Jeffersonville, Ind
Reptiles and Amphibians: Self-Assessment Color Review (2nd edition)
Fredric L. Frye
240 pages. 2016. CRC Press (an imprint of Taylor & Francis Group). ISBN 978-1-4822-5760-1. Price $43.95.
The second edition of Reptiles and Amphibians: Self-Assessment Color Review is a heavily illustrated clinical case–based book that contains information about a wide variety of species with common and a few uncommon diagnoses. It includes a compilation of cases from perhaps one of the most well-respected reptile and amphibian clinicians of our time, Dr. Frederic Frye. Knowledge is shared throughout the book, which allows readers to gain clinically useful insights and skills that may allow them to select suitable diagnostic tests and treatments. Illustrations are used to reveal the clinical relevance and perhaps allow readers to compare the case before them with that described by the author. The book also includes differential lists and prognostic information.
The book contains numerous photomicrographs of various pathological lesions including those typical of husbandry-induced lesions in reptiles and amphibians. It is obvious that there is an inextricable link between the health of a reptile or amphibian and how well knowledge regarding the natural history of that species is applied in a captive environment. This book is tremendously useful because the illustrations and accompanying case descriptions provide readers with keen insights that may facilitate recognition of pathological lesions and disease in reptiles and amphibians.
The old adage that common things happen commonly is as pertinent to reptile and amphibian medicine as it is to the other facets of veterinary medicine. After several years of practice, most small animal practitioners are going to have seen most of the conditions that they will see throughout their career at least once. This book can be considered a clinical mentor for practitioners who examine reptiles and amphibians.
Reviewed by Todd Driggers, DVM
Avian & Exotic Animal Clinic of Arizona
Gilbert, Ariz
Gnotobiotic Mouse Technology: An Illustrated Guide
Chriss J. Vowles, Natalie E. Anderson, & Kathryn A. Eaton
237 pages. 2016. CRC Press (an imprint of Taylor & Francis Group). ISBN 978-1-4987-3632-9. Price $59.95.
Gnotobiotic Mouse Technology: An Illustrated Guide by Vowles, Anderson, and Eaton is the first book of its kind in the gnotobiotic world. As the title indicates, it is a good introduction to and reference guide for germfree and gnotobiotic programs. The book is compact with a spiral binding, which allows it to serve as a manual or easy-to-use reference in the work area. The book is very thorough and detailed. It begins with a brief history of gnotobiotics that includes an overview of gnotobiotic technology, equipment, and terminology, which is very helpful for beginners. It then details personal protective equipment, sterilants, and sterilization levels and variations. Accompanying the text are numerous high-quality images that show equipment, procedures, and useful tips that are rarely found in peer-reviewed publications.
The authors focus their description on only the soft-sided, bubble-type Trexler isolators, which are used in their facility; they do not provide specific information on semirigid or other solid-sided isolators. However, the information provided in the early chapters applies to all equipment, and the latter chapters do contain some basic information that would be helpful to users of other types of equipment. Of course, as should be expected, there are numerous variations even among bubble-type isolators, so not all steps will precisely apply to all potential equipment. Chapter 6 begins the isolator setup and maintenance step section. That section is very detailed and describes each stage and includes photographs for most steps.
The next section covers subjects such as mouse transfer and shipping, class II biosafety cabinet work, rederivation, and testing. Each chapter within that section is detailed and includes supply lists and photographs. The concluding chapters cover record keeping and facility management and include sample forms and logs.
As the authors mention in the first chapter, many of the methods described have not changed since they were originally described in different reports by the Laboratories of Bacteriology at the University of Notre Dame in the 1940s and 1950s, and by other authors in articles published in the 1960s. However, the authors of this book have compiled and updated all of that information and added what they have learned from their own experience, which makes this book even more useful and a must have for institutions and individuals working with or interested in germfree or gnotobiotic technology.
Overall, this book is well written and very comprehensive. Clear photographs supplement the text throughout the book. It will be a useful reference especially for programs just beginning to work with germfree mice. Even established programs and those that use different equipment may benefit from some of the information included in this book. It could be instrumental for both facility and scientific staff members. Compared with other reference books, this book is a very good value given the amount of information it contains.
Reviewed by Anne M. MacLarty, DVM, MPH, DACVPM, DACLAM
Alfonso Gozalo, DVM, MS, DACLAM
William R. Elkins, DVM, DACLAM
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
NIH Gnotobiotic Research Animal Facility
Bethesda, Md
Laboratory Animal Medicine (3rd edition) (American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine Series)
James G. Fox, Lynn C. Anderson, Glen Otto, Kathleen R. Pritchett-Corning, & Mark T. Whary
1,708 pages. 2015. Academic Press (an imprint of Elsevier). ISBN 978-0-12-409527-4. Price $255.00.
The third edition of Laboratory Animal Medicine is greatly expanded from the previous edition and provides an almost encyclopedic reference that will be of value to senior laboratory animal medicine veterinarians and other more junior trainees who are preparing for the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine (ACLAM) board-certification examination. It represents an update and compilation of the many species-specific volumes previously developed by the ACLAM. The major problem with the book is its size (over 1,700 pages) and enormous weight. Its price places the book out of range for most veterinary students, but for laboratory animal medicine trainees preparing for the board certification examination or practicing laboratory animal veterinarians, this book is an indispensable reference that is well worth the price.
An expansive range of topics is covered. The book opens with an excellent historical perspective on the development of the field of laboratory animal medicine and graduate laboratory animal medicine training programs. Historical legislation dealing with regulation of animal research is reviewed, followed by a discussion of contemporary laws and regulations that affect the use of research animals. In keeping with the all-inclusive organization of the text, international agencies and regulations concerning biohazards, chemical agents, radioactive materials, nucleic acids, and nanomaterials in research are discussed in detail.
The next portion of the book consists of chapters individually dedicated to the various species (mice, rats, hamsters, guinea pigs, an extensive list of “other rodents,” woodchucks, chinchillas, rabbits, ferrets, dogs, cats, ruminants, swine, and nonhuman primates) used for research purposes. Each chapter includes sections on the historical use, value in research, anatomy and physiology, clinical chemistry reference values, husbandry, reproduction, and behavior of the species being discussed. Diseases are discussed and illustrated when appropriate. The sections highlighting the historical use of each species and the unique contributions of each species to specific disease pathophysiology or animal models are excellent. There is a discussion of the development of contemporary murine genetic strains, inbred strains, and recombinant inbred strains that provides an excellent and complete reference for mouse strains currently used in research. Importantly, a chapter is dedicated to microbiological quality control for rodents and lagomorphs complete with a discussion of current practices in biosecurity, maintenance of disease-free colonies, and microbiological surveillance.
This book also has chapters that describe the biology and diseases of amphibians, reptiles, zebrafish, Japanese quail, and zebra finches. The section on management of aquatic facilities, which includes a discussion of pathogen control and surveillance, will be particularly useful to those who manage such facilities.
Laboratory animal veterinarians will find the chapter on anesthesia, analgesia, and euthanasia valuable because the information is arranged by species and includes an extensive list of anesthetic agents, dosages, and induction methods. Especially useful is the analgesic therapy section, which includes a description of species-specific assessment of pain and discomfort and a list of appropriate analgesic drugs and dosages for each species. The chapter on techniques of experimentation includes an extensive list of techniques for many species arranged by body system. The chapter on biohazards and biocontainment includes information on the basics of containment and safety equipment. Also included in the book are informative chapters on zoonoses and occupational health for laboratory animal workers and a contemporary section on psychosocial issues such as the desensitization to euthanasia. There is a chapter on facility design and management. The last 2 chapters cover the behavior of laboratory animals and include discussions on the changing societal concerns for animal welfare, evaluating animal needs, and preventing behavioral problems.
The list of contributors to this book is extensive and includes innumerable experts in the field. The book brings together the expertise of many of our best minds and should contribute to a high standard of evidence-based medicine and animal care.
Reviewed by Angeline Warner, DVM, DSc
Tufts University
North Grafton, Mass
Laboratory Animal Anaesthesia (4th edition)
Paul Flecknell
321 pages. 2016. Academic Press (an imprint of Elsevier). ISBN 978-0-12-800036-6. Price $127.50.
The fourth edition of Laboratory Animal Anaesthesia is a must have for any laboratory animal professional involved with anesthetizing research animals. This edition conveys information to new researchers who may have limited experience in the principles and practical applications of laboratory animal anesthesia and analgesia. Although the text is geared toward new investigators, it is also a valuable resource for seasoned investigators owing to the fact that this edition describes novel refinement techniques in anesthesia and pain management of laboratory animals.
The book is well organized into 5 chapters. It begins with an overview of the basic principles of anesthesia, which introduces readers to anesthetic equipment, routes of anesthetic induction, and properties of various anesthetic agents. The figure legends for photographs that depict equipment frequently include pertinent manufacturer information, which is helpful for readers interested in purchasing such products. New equipment, such as V-gel airways and warming racks for rodents, are described in this edition.
Compared with previous editions, the analgesia and postoperative care chapter has been expanded to include a more thorough discussion of postoperative pain assessment, with the addition of rodent grimace scales and other behavior-based pain scoring systems. New content regarding pain management has been added, including mention of sustained-release formulations of analgesics, such as buprenorphine-SR, which is now commercially available and being used fairly frequently in research settings.
Similar to previous editions, this edition provides helpful drug formularies in tables throughout the text. All figures are now in color, which is a change from previous editions. Overall, this book is an affordable essential reference for research personnel, laboratory animal veterinarians, and students.
Reviewed by Jenelle M. Izer, DVM, MS, DACLAM
Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Hershey, Pa
Swine in the Laboratory: Surgery, Anesthesia, Imaging, and Experimental Techniques (3rd edition)
M. Michael Swindle & Alison C. Smith
593 pages. 2016. CRC Press (an imprint of Taylor & Francis Group). ISBN 978-1-4665-5347-7. Price $159.95.
The third edition of Swine in the Laboratory: Surgery, Anesthesia, Imaging, and Experimental Techniques is a must-have textbook for any veterinarian who uses swine in a laboratory setting. There are 3 new chapters (Swine in Cancer Research, Use of Swine in Biomedical Research, and Necropsy on Research Swine) that are welcome additions. The chapter entitled Necropsy on Research Swine is particularly well written; the text is easy to follow, and there are numerous figures that make it one of the most useful chapters in the book. Several chapters that were present in the second edition have been substantially expanded for this edition, including the chapter on toxicology, which has been vastly improved. The same can be said for some of the chapters that describe surgical procedures.
No textbook is perfect, and this one does have a few shortcomings. Although infrequent, there are a few sections that would be more useful if they were more reflective of modern medicine. For example, bretylium and thiopental are no longer on the market, halothane is not commonly used, and because of genetic screening, malignant hyperthermia is only relevant from a historical standpoint. Published information on anesthetics and analgesics (eg, sustained-release buprenorphine, buprenorphine patches, and meloxicam) was overlooked. Because pigs are frequently used in minimally invasive surgery, it would be beneficial for future editions to provide discussions on concerns unique to laparoscopic procedures such as how to address increases in Paco2 and decreases in cardiac output subsequent to insufflation. Similarly, an expanded discussion on how to achieve anesthesia during cardiac bypass when inhalation agents cannot be used would be beneficial. Aside from those minor issues, this book remains the best textbook available for laboratory animal veterinarians who work with swine.
Reviewed by Kelly Garcia, DVM, PhD, DACLAM
University of Illinois at Chicago
Chicago, Ill
books for veterinary technicians
Introduction to Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology Textbook (3rd edition)
Victoria Aspinall & Melanie Cappello
275 pages. 2015. Elsevier. ISBN 978-0-7020-5735-9. Price $69.95.
“Why do we have to learn anatomy and physiology?” I do not know how many times I have been asked that question. The third edition of Introduction to Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology Textbook provides insights and highlights to motivate students to learn why understanding directional terms, bone processes, and renal physiology is necessary in veterinary practice. This book is intended to educate beginning students about the essentials of veterinary anatomy and physiology. The “Applied Anatomy” tips provided by the authors create an informative link between the importance of anatomy and the practice of veterinary medicine. The book is arranged in a logical progression for anatomic instruction and allows students to build on the knowledge gained from previous chapters to learn anatomic and physiologic terms and definitions, in addition to interesting and factual information. This edition also has a companion website that contains interactive drag-and-drop exercises of detailed anatomic images and multiple-choice questions for self-assessment.
The book begins by discussing the anatomy and physiology of dogs and cats and then provides a review and introduction of comparative anatomy and physiology of multiple species including exotics, birds, reptiles, fish, horses, and domestic farm animals. The chapters were written in easily understood language and help inspire readers to further study. The highlighted “Applied Anatomy” tips scattered throughout the text explain the importance of specific anatomic structures and physiologic processes and stimulate student interest in the why and how anatomy and physiology relate to disease processes. The information provided is accurate, well-balanced, and presented in a manner to stimulate learning and motivate understanding.
This book was written by authors from the United Kingdom, and although the language may be unusual for many US students, it offers an introduction to the variations of accurate scientific information from other regions. It provides beginning veterinary students with stimulating information, detailed images of anatomic structures and physiologic processes in an interesting and concise format, excellent review materials, and a substantive foundation for further learning.
Reviewed by David Robinson, DVM
Apex College of Veterinary Technology
Colorado Springs, Colo
Small Animal Clinical Techniques (2nd edition)
Susan M. Taylor
268 pages. 2015. Saunders (an imprint of Elsevier). ISBN 978-0-323-31216-5. Price $75.95.
The second edition of Small Animal Clinical Techniques is a well-written, useful guide to the practical performance of over 100 clinical procedures ranging from basics such as blood collection and IM injections to advanced procedures such as bone marrow aspiration and pericardiocentesis. Each technique is described in step-by-step detail and includes clear, high-quality photographs of each step. Line drawings and other illustrations are used to clarify specific anatomic or procedural nuances that could not be clearly depicted in photographs. Prior to the description of each technique, there is a list, complete with photographs, of the equipment necessary for performing the procedure, which will be especially helpful in clinical situations.
The book is organized into 17 sections on the basis of procedure type and organ system. The first page inside the front cover has a helpful list of most techniques, and the corresponding page numbers on which those techniques are described. Compared with the content of the first edition, this edition has descriptions for 15 additional procedures and a new chapter that details a neurologic examination. Purchase includes access to the online Evolve Study Resources for the book, which contains step-by-step modules and some videos. My experience with Evolve Study Resources for other titles suggests that some titles and content are not permanently available; however, I could not find any end date for online access to this title.
The book is primarily intended for use in teaching veterinary and veterinary technology students, and it appears to be a very useful resource for that purpose. It is also a valuable desktop reference in clinical practice, both as a guide for veterinarians when attempting less commonly performed techniques and as a training tool for staff members.
Overall, this is a high-quality book that meets its goal of making clinical techniques in small animal practice accessible to both students and practitioners. The information is a good value for the price. I expect this practical book will be one of the most-used references by staff and doctors in my clinic.
Reviewed by James Hoffmann, DVM, DABVP
Westside Veterinary Clinic
Searcy, Ark
Practical Physiotherapy for Veterinary Nurses
Donna Carver
223 pages. 2016. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 978-1-118-71136-1. Price $39.99.
The goal of Practical Physiotherapy for Veterinary Nurses is to provide veterinary nurses (technicians) with a “practical, pocket-sized guide to small animal physiotherapy” that is easily referenced in a busy practice. This paperback book is broken down into 4 sections: musculoskeletal, neurologic, respiratory physiotherapy, and hydrotherapy. Each section contains one or more case studies and ends with a self-assessment quiz. The companion website contains several videos that demonstrate various activities.
This book has several good points. Recommended rehabilitation is broken down into early phase (0 to 2 weeks), midphase (2 to 6 weeks), and late phase (6 to 12 weeks). It contains a nice review of respiratory therapy from a physical standpoint, a subject rarely tackled in other textbooks. Readers are reminded throughout the book to assess both subjective and objective outcome measures to evaluate the response and progression of therapy in individual patients. Communication and follow-up with the veterinary surgeon is also stressed.
Unfortunately, this book also has many shortcomings. Although the book is intended to be a quick-reference guide, some sections contain too much information, whereas others contain too little information. For example, the review of fractures of the elbow region includes various fractures of the distal portion of the humerus, olecranon, and proximal portion of the radius but does not mention other types of fractures. The text contains multiple errors and confusing or outdated information. I also feel that this book falls short as a feasible and quick reference for veterinary rehabilitation cases; therefore, I have a difficult time recommending this book, especially given its price.
Reviewed by Jennifer Au, DVM, DACVS, DACVSMR
Charleston Veterinary Referral Center
Charleston, SC
