books for veterinarians
Pet Health Insurance: A Veterinarian's Perspective
Doug Kenney, DVM
74 pages. 2016. Philosophia Publishing. ISBN 978-0-9823221-4-7. Price $13.66.
Pet Health Insurance: A Veterinarian's Perspective is a thorough guide to today's pet health insurance and will be informative to both pet owners and veterinarians. From the introduction, which explains the evolution of the industry, to the informative text with the 53 unique quick-response (QR) codes, which allows readers to listen to experts on various topics via their smart phones, to the reference section at the end of the book, Dr. Kenny presents a comprehensive guide in simple terms. The book covers all topics of today's pet insurance industry, including sections that explain insurance terms and policies, how to make a claim, and reimbursement of owners. The author explains the important and often misunderstood difference between the managed-care insurance model used in human medicine and the fee-for-service insurance model used in veterinary medicine. The disappointment of pet owners and veterinarians with pet insurance during the early years of the industry is acknowledged and discussed, along with the many advances and improvements that have been made in recent years. The author does not endorse any particular company and encourages readers to use the supplied Pet Insurance Toolkit QR to compare the policies of different companies side by side. I encourage anyone who wants to understand the current pet insurance industry to read this informative book.
Reviewed by Rex C. Riggs, DVM
Best Friends Veterinary Hospital Powell, Ohio
Clinically Oriented Anatomy of the Dog & Cat (2nd edition)
M. S. A. Kumar, BVSc, MVSc, PhD
1380 pages. 2015. Linus Learning. ISBN 978-1-60797-552-6. Price $165.00.
The second edition of Clinically Oriented Anatomy of the Dog & Cat is a massive tome that contains an immense amount of information. In addition to classic gross anatomy of the dog and cat, this book contains information about developmental and microscopic anatomy, physiology, and clinical techniques as well as disease conditions and processes. This text is geared toward veterinary students and is designed to assist novice learners in assimilating anatomic knowledge within a clinical context. The preface states that this book is meant to augment, not replace, other anatomy textbooks.
The book is organized in a logical manner, and the illustrations are colorful, plentiful, and clearly labeled. Numerous summary tables are provided. The text is well written and easy to follow with plainly labeled topic headings. This book provides a thorough review of dog and cat anatomy and reveals the clinical relevance of the discussed anatomy through abundant examples in highlighted sidebars. Each chapter ends with self-evaluation questions in a multiple-choice format, with answers provided. The book contains an extensive index as well as references.
It is difficult to categorize this book because it covers, sometimes in great detail, broad aspects of veterinary clinical anatomy. Veterinary students will likely find this book very helpful to their studies. Veterinary practitioners and others interested in veterinary anatomy may also find the encyclopedic format of this book useful as a general anatomic reference.
Reviewed by Cynthia Faux, DVM, PhD
DACVIM Washington State University Pullman, Wash
Clinical Signs in Small Animal Medicine (2nd edition)
Michael Schaer, DVM, DACVIM, DACVECC
225 pages. 2017. CRC Press (an imprint of Taylor & Francis Group). ISBN 978-1-4987-6684-5. Price $67.96.
The second edition of Clinical Signs in Small Animal Medicine is a visual compilation of fairly common to rare cases treated by the author over roughly the last 8 years. The figures include photographs of patients with various clinical signs and gross necropsy lesions, photomicrographs of cytologic and histologic specimens, and images obtained by use of radiography and other diagnostic imaging modalities. The cases are organized by body system, and the descriptions include a list of Clinical Pearls, which are practical pointers the author has gleaned over his many years of practice. This book is not meant to be a complete collection of every medical disorder or comprehensive reference. Instead, it is intended to provide summary text and engaging visual images to teach medicine and help veterinary students retain information. I would have loved to have had the author as an instructor during veterinary school. As a clinical instructor myself, I will be recommending this book to senior students, especially in preparation for their internal medicine and critical care rotations. As a primary care clinician, I found this book engaging, especially the images of the more rare diseases that I have not personally seen in practice. I may pull this book off my shelf as a teaching aid for students or if I am fortunate enough to see one of those rare cases in the future. I do not, however, think this will become a reference I go to often because of the incomplete nature of its content.
Reviewed by Susan E. Lowum, DVM, MS, DABVP
University of Minnesota Saint Paul, Minn
Blackwell's Five-Minute Veterinary Consult Clinical Companion: Small Animal Toxicology (2nd edition)
Lynn Hovda, RPH, DVM, MS, DACVIM; Ahna Brutlag, DVM, MS, DABVT, DABT; Robert Poppenga, DVM, PhD, DABVT & Katherine Peterson, DVM, DACVECC
962 pages. 2016. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 978-1-119-03654-8. Price $109.99.
The second edition of Blackwell's Five-Minute Veterinary Consult Clinical Companion: Small Animal Toxicology is an indispensable reference for veterinary practitioners. The text is well organized and easy to read, ensuring vital information is quickly accessible. It provides basic clinical toxicology information including current recommendations on decontamination as well as emergency management of poisoned patients. The book also addresses commonly used antidotes, including their availability and approved uses, as well as charts that identify toxicants associated with various clinical laboratory assay abnormalities. A strength of this book is the concise and consistent layout for each monograph, which includes an overview, pathophysiology (mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, and toxicity), systems affected, signalment, clinical features, differential diagnoses, diagnostics, and therapeutics. Veterinary clinicians will find the sections on human and veterinary prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and illicit and recreational drugs to be of exceptional value. Those categories of drugs represent the most commonly reported poisonings in companion animals to poison-control centers. Other toxicants such as pesticides and natural plant and animal toxins are also well covered. The appendix includes an extensive listing of poisonous plants and their resulting clinical signs as well as antidotes and treatments. Most importantly, this book contains an extensive listing of clinical signs and the toxicants known to cause those clinical signs. Overall, this book provides easily accessible key information necessary to address the majority of patients in which a toxic etiology is known or possible.
Reviewed by Steven Hansen, DVM, MS, MBA, DABVT, DACAW
Arizona Humane Society Phoenix, Ariz
Clinical Medicine of the Dog and Cat (3rd edition)
Michael Schaer, DVM, DACVIM, DACVECC & Frédéric Gaschen, Dr med vet, Dr habil, DACVIM
1160 pages. 2016. CRC Press (an imprint of Taylor & Francis Group). ISBN 978-1-4822-2605-8. Price $127.46.
The third edition of Clinical Medicine of the Dog and Cat is an exceptional standalone reference for veterinary students, interns, new graduates, and seasoned practitioners looking to brush up on the clinical approach to common health problems of dogs and cats. What sets this resource apart from others is its user-friendly organization; the nearly 2,000 photographs, diagrams, and tables are thoughtfully placed and carefully selected to complement the text. That supporting information prevents readers from being bogged down in detail. The images and algorithms break up the text, but more importantly, they are clear, crisp, and functional. Busy clinicians can easily find the information that they are seeking. The authors’ approach is logical and revolutionizes the way that clinical medicine is reported by limiting the information presented to that which is necessary to guide clinicians through the process of developing diagnostic and treatment plans. This book is not intended to provide a comprehensive database of every clinical condition in the history of veterinary medicine, rather it showcases the most relevant conditions for practicing clinicians to recognize. Advantages of this updated edition include a brief section on obtaining medical histories and client communication as well as an abbreviated diagnostic approach to most common clinical conditions. For example, part 1 of the book covers short topics such as pigmenturia, dyspnea, and pallor in a problem-based approach, and part 2 covers diseases or disease process, with discussions that begin with a specific condition and proceed in a backward manner. The incorporation of both approaches makes the text appropriate for all readers regardless of their preferred learning style.
Reviewed by Ryane E. Englar, DVM, DABVP
Midwestern University Glendale, Ariz
Atlas for the Diagnosis of Tumors in the Dog and Cat
Anita R. Kiehl, DVM, MS, DACVP & Maron Brown Calderwood Mays, VMD, PhD, DACVP
232 pages. 2016. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 978-1-119-05121-3. Price $124.99.
The self-described objective of the Atlas for the Diagnosis of Tumors in the Dog and Cat is to provide a “resource for veterinary pathologists, veterinary oncologists, and general practitioners seeking a reference for diagnosing tumors in canine and feline patients.” To accomplish this, the authors present an 8-chapter textbook that pairs cytologic and histologic photomicrographs with brief clinical vignettes. Although their efforts to create a diagnostic pathology atlas that bridges clinical and anatomic pathology should be lauded, the usefulness of this book is hindered by 2 major shortcomings: the low quality of the photomicrographs and the lack of in-depth and detailed clinical information. Those deficiencies are particularly glaring when this book is compared with the current landscape of atlases and textbooks that provide readers with a broader scope of high-quality images and a greater depth of clinical information.
This book consists of 8 chapters, of which the central 6 comprise case studies that describe cytologic and histologic findings in common cutaneous and visceral mass lesions of dogs and cats. The first and last chapters provide an overview of the diagnostic process and recommendations for sample handling, respectively. The text is generally well organized and easy to read, but the photomicrographs are not of sufficient quality or descriptive scope to allow the book to serve as a microscope-side atlas for diagnostic pathologists (clinical or anatomic) nor are they appropriately annotated to be of use by clinicians without a diagnostic pathology background. Although the authors include many statements regarding treatment and prognosis, the information lacks the necessary details or references that would make it useful for those seeking evidence-based advice on case management.
This book is ambitious. However, given its shortcomings and the availability of higher quality diagnostic atlases for veterinary pathologists and more robust references for veterinarians in clinical practice, I cannot recommend this book to either audience.
Reviewed by Davis Seelig, DVM, PhD, DACVP
University of Minnesota Saint Paul, Minn
Manual of Veterinary Transfusion Medicine and Blood Banking
Kenichiro Yagi, RVT, VTS (Emergency and Critical Care and Small Animal Internal Medicine) & Marie Holowaychuk, DVM, DACVECC
387 pages. 2016. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 978-1-118-93302-2. Price $99.99.
Manual of Veterinary Transfusion Medicine and Blood Banking is a general resource for transfusion medicine and blood banking. This manual is a blend of supportive didactic and practical how-to information and provides a solid basis of knowledge on the topic for veterinarians and veterinary technicians. Straightforward directions for basic and advanced blood banking techniques are provided. However, in its attempt to provide evidence-based support for current transfusion practice, this manual relies heavily on human transfusion medicine. Thus, it is sometimes difficult to determine whether the information presented is specific to human medicine or has support or application to veterinary medicine.
An enjoyable historical perspective of human and veterinary transfusion medicine is provided throughout the text. There is also a detailed review of current blood products including information on their production, administration, and clinical importance. Uniquely, this book designates over 50 pages to blood transfusion in exotic and large animal species, which is a helpful practice aid.
In general, this book helps to fill a current void in the veterinary transfusion subspecialty. It will be a useful ready reference for any practice that maintains a blood banking program or provides transfusion services.
Reviewed by Anne S. Hale, DVM
Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Centers LLC Albuquerque, NM
Multimodal Management of Canine Osteoarthritis (2nd edition)
Steven M. Fox, DVM, MBA, PhD
157 pages. 2017. CRC Press (an imprint of Taylor & Francis Group). ISBN 978-1-4987-4935-0. Price $59.46.
The second edition of Multimodal Management of Canine Osteoarthritis is a must-have reference for any practitioner who has been frustrated with trying to manage dogs with chronic or acute osteoarthritis, a routine occurrence in small animal practice. The book's title aptly illustrates the author's goal, which is to describe the management of osteoarthritis from a multitude of integrative modalities. It includes the latest information on many nontraditional aspects of treatment for dogs with osteoarthritis as well as useful in formation on products used in routine practice. By sharing valuable insight on the combination of newer advances in treatment with traditional tenets of practice, the author successfully covers all aspects of the management of this frustrating condition. The inclusion of information regarding new classes of drugs and the science behind their use, as well as the role of the ever-expanding field of regenerative medicine, with contributions from Drs. Brittany Jean Carr and Sherman O. Canapp on stem cell and platelet-rich plasma therapy, makes this book an invaluable reference for both veterinary students and experienced practitioners. The book also contains information regarding the role of rehabilitation therapy in the management of osteoarthritis and, as such, provides practitioners with a 360° overview on how to manage and prevent this painful condition in dogs. The second edition builds on the foundation laid by the first. Although the extent of biochemistry provided within the text can be daunting, the overall scope provided on osteoarthritis lends value to the very modest price of this book. In short, this book will be a very useful reference, especially for those of us who relish the science behind the products we use.
Reviewed by Michael H. Jaffe, DVM, MS, DACVS
Midwestern University Glendale, Ariz
Small Animal Surgical Emergencies
Lillian R. Aronson, VMD, DACVS
554 pages. 2016. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 978-1-118-41348-7. Price $149.99.
I found Small Animal Surgical Emergencies to be a very informative book with up-to-date information in regard to diagnostic approaches, treatments, and outcomes. The emergencies covered are those that are most commonly seen in practice, and the discussions are well thought out and organized. There are some minor grammatical and labeling errors within the figures and images. Concise reference tables of clinical signs, diagnostic tests, and treatments for various emergency cases should be considered for future editions to facilitate referencing of this book during actual emergency situations. I recommend this book as a reference for any emergency clinician who also performs emergency surgeries, albeit it is likely only those with a certain level of comfort in performing emergency surgeries will truly appreciate this book. Other veterinary surgery references discuss emergency surgical procedures in greater detail than this book; however, this book should adequately suit the needs of most veterinarians in emergency practice.
Reviewed by Tim Lampman, DVM
Veterinary Emergency & Surgery Hospital of Brentwood Brentwood, NH
BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Fracture Repair and Management (2nd edition)
Toby J. Gemmill, BVSc, MVM, DSAS(Orth), MRCVS & Dylan N. Clements, BVSc, DSAS(Orth), PhD
408 pages. 2016. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 978-1-905319-68-8. Price $130.00.
The second edition of BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Fracture Repair and Management is targeted toward veterinarians who perform orthopedic fracture repair, but general practitioners, veterinary students, orthopedic specialists, and veterinary technicians will also find it to be a valuable reference. This book bridges the gap between basic orthopedic texts and advanced works regarding fracture management in small animals. It consists of 31 chapters written by 34 contributors and 408 pages with high-quality radiographs, photographs, and other illustrations to enhance understanding. The amount of information this book contains regarding fracture management in cats is particularly noteworthy.
Several chapters are devoted to the basic science of fractures and bones. There are also chapters related to the basics of fracture repair, instrumentation and implants, and considerations for fracture management. The section on implants is one of the most comprehensive aggregations of information on that topic available. Chapters regarding fracture management of individual bones, including the skull and spine, complete the book. In addition to basic information on various common fractures, the book contains suggestions for approaching fracture repair along with practical tips and warnings. The illustrations and photographs add tremendously to understanding. There are also suggestions for pre- and postoperative management of patients.
As with any manual on fracture fixation, the suggestions provided by the authors occasionally differ on the basis of surgeon experience or preference. Nevertheless, the information provided in this book is solid, and readers will benefit from both the standard suggestions and the authors’ input on fracture repair. Like any textbook of this magnitude, there are occasional omissions but they do not detract from the tremendous amount of information otherwise provided. The authors should be congratulated on creating a successful textbook that should be in the library of every veterinary orthopedic surgeon.
Reviewed by Darryl L. Millis, DVM, DACVS
University of Tennessee Knoxville, Tenn
Farm Animal Surgery (2nd edition)
Susan L. Fubini, DVM, DACVS & Norm G. Ducharme, DVM, DACVS
662 pages. 2017. Elsevier. ISBN 978-0-323-31665-1. Price $209.00.
The second edition of Farm Animal Surgery is a textbook that provides “a comprehensive array of surgical options for the most common conditions of farm animals,” including cattle, sheep, goats, and swine, with an emphasis on dairy cattle. Drs. Fubini and Ducharme, respected authorities on farm animal surgery, intended this edition “to update, correct, and improve upon the first edition,” which it does.
The book is divided into 5 parts, but it is worth noting that Part II: Bovine (Adult) is about half of the book (324 of the 662 pages), which is consistent with the stated emphasis. Parts III through V pertain to calves, sheep and goats, and pigs, respectively. The sheep and goat and swine parts consist of only 80 pages, but no major topics are omitted. Additionally, Part I: General Considerations to All Species includes specific sections applicable to sheep, goats, and swine as well as cattle, such as physical examination, dentistry, neoplasia, and surgery of the eyes.
Although this book includes details on how to perform surgical procedures, it is not a how-to reference per se. The various sections provide sufficient explanation of conditions for readers to understand when to apply the procedures, the various surgical options, and the perioperative considerations. Procedures discussed range from those routinely performed in general practice, such as castration, dehorning, and C-sections, to those likely to be performed only by specialists, such as phacoemulsification for cataract removal and major orthopedic procedures. As a result of rescue organizations providing indefinite care for individual animals, the content of this edition has been expanded somewhat to include sophisticated procedures that are perhaps not practical or applicable to production animals. The addition of color to most of the previously black-and-white photographs is another notable enhancement to this edition.
This book can be used to learn more about a particular topic, to quickly review a surgical procedure, or as a cover-to-cover read in preparation for the surgery board-certification examination. Although this book is not inexpensive, it remains the most comprehensive surgical textbook for farm animal species and should be considered by everyone in the intended audience, “veterinary students, practitioners, and residents-in-training, as well as individuals dealing with comparative species such as zoo medicine and surgery.”
Reviewed by Jill E. Parker, VMD, DACVS
Oregon State University Corvallis, Ore
Diseases of the Goat (4th edition)
John Matthews, BSc, BVMS, MRCVS
411 pages. 2016. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 978-1-119-07351-2. Price $69.99.
The fourth edition of Diseases of the Goat is an excellent reference for small ruminant practitioners. The layout is easy to use for quick reference. I found the tables particularly helpful in summarizing certain conditions, especially for busy practitioners who find reading large amounts of information cumbersome. The book contains sufficient information to refresh the memory and aid in diagnosis and treatment, but is not overly detailed so as to impede its use during busy days. The author is a recently retired partner in a veterinary practice in England; thus, references to drug restrictions and availability are specific for the United Kingdom. That is just a caution for readers in other countries and in no way detracts from the value of the book. Overall, this book will be a great addition to the reference libraries of practitioners who treat the occasional goat or need a daily reference for goat medicine.
Reviewed by Shelie Laflin, DVM
Olsburg, Kan
Genomic Selection in Animals
Joel Ira Weller, MSc, PhD
175 pages. 2016. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 978-0-470-96007-3. Price $149.95.
Genomic Selection in Animals is a well-written book by a leading animal quantitative geneticist. The book details the history of genetic marker–assisted selection, from the early days of microsatellite-based markers to current day single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)–based platforms. The basic statistical concepts behind genetic evaluations are explained and expanded to detail how DNA-based information can be included as an additional source of information to improve the accuracy of breeding values. There are useful discussions contrasting the different approaches and statistical methods used to incorporate genomic information into estimates of genetic merit. The intended audience for this book is expected to have a basic understanding of both quantitative genetics and matrix algebra, and mathematical equations relevant to breeding are scattered throughout the book. That being said, the book is quite readable with a helpful summary of concepts discussed at the conclusion of each of the 21 short chapters. This book will be particularly useful for graduate students in animal breeding and genetics, and more broadly for professionals with an interest in understanding how genomic information is being incorporated into breeding programs. My 1 critique of the book is that almost all of the examples provided relate to the dairy industry, with the occasional reference to studies in other livestock species. Although within-breed genomic selection has been very successful and widely adopted by the dairy industry globally, there is little discussion of how its implementation has been problematic in other animal industries less suited to genomic selection for a variety of logistic and biological reasons. Overall, this book is a readable summary of the concepts and current methods underlying genomic selection and a useful reference that I recommend for those with an interest in this rapidly evolving field.
Reviewed by Alison Van Eenennaam, PhD
University of California-Davis Davis, Calif
Equine Thermography in Practice
Maria Soroko, MSc, PhD & Mina C. G. Davies Morel, BSc, PhD
99 pages. 2016. CABI. ISBN 978-1-78064-787-6. Price $54.00.
Equine Thermography in Practice is a book that has needed to be written for some time, and I commend the authors for their diligence and efforts. The book consists of 6 basic chapters, and I will discuss them each. Chapter 1: Principles of Equine Thermography is an outstanding review of the literature relative to equine thermography. In fact, anyone interested in equine thermography needs to read this book for no other reason than this literature review. Chapter 2: Fundamentals of Thermographic Examination left me with mixed feelings. Although the literature review provided is absolutely important and excellent, I was disappointed by the quality and positioning of the images. In my opinion, some images are not up to the standards recommended by the American Academy of Thermology veterinary guidelines. The suggestions for positioning throughout the chapter are fine, but the images provided should not be used as guidelines for anyone performing thermal imaging. Chapter 3: Interpretation of Thermographic Images and the Normal Superficial Temperature Distribution of the Horse again contained an excellent review of the literature and is a must read for anyone interested in thermography. The quality of the images included in this chapter is also disappointing, and I believe the authors included in this chapter some of their own research, which is unsubstantiated and must be carefully considered. However, I must reiterate that I can ignore all that I disliked for the comprehensive literature review that comprises the majority of this chapter. Chapter 4: Development of Equine Thermography and its Use in Equestrianism is an excellent literature review. Chapter 5: Use of Thermography in Physiotherapy reviews the use of thermography for physiotherapy and is largely based on the authors’ opinions. I think this chapter shows how thermography can be used. Finally, Chapter 6: Recommendations for Thermography Application is a 1-page list of how thermography has been used in equine medicine. Overall, although this book is a worthwhile read, I would not use it as a complete guide to thermography; for that I recommend an educational course.
Reviewed by Tracy A. Turner, DVM, MS, DACVS, DACVSMR
Fellow, American Academy of Thermology Turner Equine Sports Medicine and Surgery Stillwater, Minn
Animal Welfare in Extensive Production Systems (The Animal Welfare Series)
Juan J. Villalba, MS, PhD
204 pages. 2016. 5M Publishing Ltd. ISBN 978-1-910455-54-8. Price $85.00.
Animal Welfare in Extensive Production Systems provides a general overview of several important aspects of extensive livestock production systems that can impact the welfare of the animals in those systems. Most of the published literature on livestock welfare focuses on intensive, confinement-based systems. This book tackles a broader and much more varied landscape of livestock production and covers a wide range of topics within the context of production systems encountered throughout the world. Although that gives the content of this book great breadth, it also results in the information being presented in a very generalized manner. Readers interested in detailed information regarding specific livestock production systems will need other resources, but this book could be a good starting point for readers interested in a broad overview of animal welfare in extensive production systems. The book is well organized and referenced, and it is evident the authors spent considerable time researching the published literature to support the text. Unfortunately, the book contains several typographic and grammatical errors and multiple awkwardly structured sentences, which are distracting and make the text occasionally difficult to understand. The authors, editors, and publisher are encouraged to correct those errors in future print runs and editions.
Reviewed by John Gilliam DVM, MS, DACVIM, DABVP
Oklahoma State University Stillwater, Okla
Foot-and-mouth Disease Virus: Current Research and Emerging Trends
Francisco Sobrino, PhD & Esteban Domingo, BSc, PhD
431 pages. 2017. Caister Academic Press (an imprint of Horizon Press). ISBN 978-1-910190-51-7. Price $398.00.
In Foot-and-mouth Disease Virus: Current Research and Emerging Trends, a wealth of knowledge and research from recent and historical timeframes is merged together in 18 chapters for easy reference. Great detail is provided on viral particle structuring, encoded proteins, genetic expression, viral habitats, epidemiology, and measures to control viral spread. Immunity, both acquired and innate, is also covered in great detail along with descriptions of symptoms and clinical signs of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) infection in multiple species. Given that FMDV is one of the most economically important contagious animal pathogens, multiple national and continental organizations have an enormous task to work together in a concerted effort to control its spread. A few chapters address various organizations currently involved in that task and their roles in past and present programs. Finally, an overview is provided regarding the impact of FMDV as a reemerging viral pathogen and how the virus will remain a serious threat to world-wide agriculture, with eradication of FMDV being far more complex than that of other viruses of similar status.
Colored diagrams, charts, and images throughout the book provide readers a review of the structure, trends, distribution maps, and other details of the virus and make this book stand out from other textbooks that are printed in black and white. I recommend this book as an important comprehensive review reference for anyone involved in FMDV research, control, and outbreak planning.
Reviewed by David T. Harder, DVM, MPH
Prairie Vista Veterinary Hospital South Hutchinson, Kan
Staphylococcus: Genetics and Physiology
Greg A. Somerville, PhD
390 pages. 2016. Caister Academic Press (an imprint of Horizon Press). ISBN 978-1-910190-49-4. Price $319.00.
Staphylococcus: Genetics and Physiology consists of 13 chapters written by 23 leading experts on Staphylococcus aureus. This book exceeds the publisher's stated goal of providing a timely overview of staphylococcal research and is clearly essential reading for scientists working with staphylococci. The editor has done a masterful job of creating a book that flows beautifully with chapters that are engaging as standalone works or as integrated parts of the book as a whole. Of particular interest for JAVMA readers will be Chapter 3 on the clinical significance of staphylococci in animals, written by J. Dustin Loy, whose photograph of S aureus growing on a salt mannitol plate graces the cover. Although the book focuses on S aureus, there is discussion of other staphylococci of pathological importance in animals. This is particularly true for Chapter 3, which covers clinically relevant veterinary infections such as those caused by Staphylococcus hyicus and the Staphylococcus intermedius group, as well as treatment of those infections.
It is important to note that the chapters on cell wall assembly, proteomics, and transition metal ion homeostasis, although accessible for veterinary students and practicing veterinarians, were written with researchers in mind. Those chapters provide graduate students and researchers a thorough review of difficult topics and have the benefit of extensive reference lists. As long as readers recognize the intended scope and depth of the book, they will find it to be useful and definitely worth the investment.
Reviewed by Sara Lawhon, DVM, PhD, DACVM
Texas A&M University College Station, Tex
books for veterinary technicians
Exotic Animal Medicine for the Veterinary Technician (3rd edition)
Bonnie Ballard, DVM & Ryan Cheek, RVT, VTS (Emergency and Critical Care)
516 pages. 2017. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 978-1-118-91428-1. Price $74.99.
With the recent introduction of the exotic animal technician specialties (Academy of Veterinary Technicians in Clinical Practice [ATCP]–Exotic Companion Mammal and Academy of Veterinary Zoological Medicine Technician [AVZMET]), it is great to see thorough, updated exotic animal resources written specifically for veterinary technicians.
The third edition of Exotic Animal Medicine for the Veterinary Technician covers most categories of commonly encountered exotic species, including birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians, and fish. There is also a section entitled Zoo, Aquarium Medicine and Wildlife with information on the role of veterinary technicians in zoos, public aquariums, and wildlife rehabilitation facilities. All chapters were written by experienced exotic animal veterinarians and veterinary technicians, who have a wide range of experiences. References are current and up to date.
Anatomy and handling sections are thorough, and there are ample recommendations for new equipment and modifications of existing equipment that can be used with unusual patients. Many exotic practices see injured and orphaned wildlife. The appendices contain valuable information regarding the handling of specific wild animals, an admission form example for members of the public, and information on wildlife permits and regulatory bodies.
The experienced technical staff at the hospital where I work agreed that this book is well done and an excellent resource with a great deal of information in one convenient place. However, as in any diverse discipline, they found omissions and a few techniques and husbandry recommendations that are not 100% in agreement with those used in our hospital. Some newer anesthetic drugs and protocols are not mentioned. Nevertheless, this book is now recommended reading for all veterinary and veterinary technician students who visit our hospital.
Reviewed by Angela M. Lennox, DVM, DABVP
Avian and Exotic Animal Clinic of Indianapolis Indianapolis, Ind
