books for veterinarians
Beyond One Health: From Recognition to Results
John A. Herrmann, DVM, MPH, DACT, & Yvette J. Johnson-Walker, DVM, PhD
341 pages. 2018. Wiley Blackwell.
ISBN 978-1-119-19449-1. Price $124.99.
Beyond One Health: From Recognition to Results is a must read for anyone interested in health (animal, human, or environmental) and health policy, economics, and public health administration, or…well, anyone. It is an amazing compilation of one-health projects and provides a retrospective look at programs that would have been improved had a one-health approach been used. The editors have brought together an impressive group of contributors to clearly lay out the benefits of a one-health approach and offer potential policy solutions to current “wicked problems.” At first, inclusion of “Beyond One Health” in the title seemed a bit odd because most one-health approaches are still in the very early stages of adoption, but this book truly goes beyond the current conventional thinking of one health (zoonotic diseases) and appropriately addresses environmental health (a topic sorely lacking in most one-health contexts) and even extends to climate change, toxicology, and ecology. I also thought the book was a bit expensive at first glance, but high-quality paper was used to support the many color photographs, charts, and maps. After reading it, I believe this book is well worth the investment. It is a quality source of ideas, policy suggestions, and references to move implementation of one health “from recognition to results.”
Reviewed by Joseph F. Annelli, DVM, MS
International One Health Consultant New Market, Md
Veterinary Epidemiology (4th edition)
Michael Thrusfield, BVMS, DECVPH, & Robert Christley, BVSc, DipVetClinStud, MVetClinStud
864 pages. 2018. Wiley Blackwell.
ISBN 978-1-118-28028-7. Price $105.00.
The fourth edition of Veterinary Epidemiology lives up to the high standards set by previous editions. Similar to previous editions, it has extensive coverage of the history, frameworks, and formulas underpinning the discipline of epidemiology.
This edition includes new and updated content, which maintains its relevance in regard to new and emerging diseases of importance to animal and human health. The topic of epidemiological modeling has been expanded from 1 to 3 chapters. The additional information may be of limited value to veterinary students but will be useful for graduate students in epidemiology training programs. The new chapters expand coverage of selection bias, information bias, and confounding in epidemiological studies and provide an in-depth discussion of observational study design. The content for currently relevant topics such as transboundary diseases and one health has been updated. New to this edition is the addition of a “Further Reading” section at the end of each chapter and a companion website that contains interactive multiple-choice questions. Many of the figures and tables have been updated to include new information and references.
Overall, this book is a comprehensive and expansive reference for veterinary epidemiology. Veterinary students who are just learning basic epidemiological concepts may find the text overwhelming. However, its comprehensive content and moderate price will make it an indispensable resource for graduate students and veterinarians who specialize or work extensively in epidemiology.
Reviewed by Peggy L. Schmidt, DVM, MS, DACVPM
Kansas State University Manhattan, Kan
Veterinary Immunology (10th edition)
Ian Tizard, BVMS, PhD, DSc, DACVM
539 pages. 2018. Saunders (an imprint of Elsevier).
ISBN 978-0-323-52349-3. Price $79.96.
The tenth edition of Veterinary Immunology is a comprehensive moderately priced textbook on the immunology of domestic animals and expands on information presented in the previous editions that span 31 years. It includes new information on microbiota and its impact on the immune system, a revised chapter on allergic diseases, and updated information on novel approaches to immune therapies and vaccine development. Similar to the previous editions, this textbook follows a logical flow in reviewing the key components of the immune system and their function. It then transitions into how the normal and abnormal functions of the immune system affect medicine and disease. In some chapters, the text may seem to be lengthy and lacking case-based examples, particularly for typical veterinary students, but it is detailed and thorough. A benefit associated with the purchase of this book is access to the Evolve website. This site contains a bank of > 450 multiple-choice questions linked to the chapters in the book along with the answers to those questions. That resource will be useful for students as they study for both course-related and national board examinations. The site also contains animations that allow readers to better visualize and understand the complex mechanisms and pathways of the immune system. Overall, this edition remains one of the leading textbooks in the field of veterinary immunology for veterinary students, veterinarians, and academicians.
Reviewed by Robert M. Gogal Jr, DVM
University of Georgia Athens, Ga
Color Atlas of Farm Animal Dermatology (2nd edition)
Danny W. Scott, DVM, DACVP
336 pages. 2018. Wiley Blackwell.
ISBN 978-1-119-25057-9. Price $149.99.
The second edition of Color Atlas of Farm Animal Dermatology provides an updated and comprehensive illustrated overview of skin disorders in food and fiber animals. The book is organized in sections by species and includes cattle, goats, sheep, swine, and camelids. The species sections are further subdivided by etiology and cover a diverse range of infectious and noninfectious conditions. Despite the variety of nomenclatures used for dermatologic conditions, material in this book is relatively easy to access either through the index or by thumbing through the appropriate subsections. The principle strength of this book is the inclusion of over 700 color images that depict a range of conditions from common to rare or exotic diseases. In addition to photographs of in situ lesions, the book also includes diagnostic images of parasites, stained smears, and zoonotic lesions. For many of the more common diseases, multiple images are provided to document various manifestations or transformations in appearance over time. Illustrations are augmented by concise descriptions of disease features, zoonotic potential, predisposing conditions, key differentials, and appropriate diagnostic pathways. Treatment and control practices are not discussed.
To my knowledge, this is the only illustrated clinical reference that provides an extensive review of food and fiber animal dermatology. Its impressive array of illustrations, succinct supplemental text, and inclusion of everyday diagnostic images make it an especially practical reference for clinicians and veterinary students, and the inclusion of exotic diseases and breadth of infectious and noninfectious etiologies covered make it equally worthwhile for foreign practitioners and domestic regulatory or public health veterinarians.
Reviewed by Kelly M. Still Brooks, DVM, MPH, DACVPM, DABVP
Iowa State University Ames, Iowa
Bovine Surgery and Lameness (3rd edition)
A. David Weaver, BSc, Dr med vet, PhD; Owen Atkinson, BVSc, DCHP; Guy St. Jean, DMV, MS, DACVS; & Adrian Steiner, Dr med vet, MS, Dr habil, DECVS, DECBHM
369 pages. 2018. Wiley Blackwell.
ISBN 978-1-119-04046-0. Price $79.99.
The third edition of Bovine Surgery and Lameness provides a broad overview of routine surgical procedures performed on cattle. The overall organization of the book is logical and easy to follow. Of the 9 chapters, the first 3 are introductory and discuss examination, anesthesia, and diagnostic techniques. Chapters 4 through 8 describe surgical diseases and procedures, arranged by major body area. The last and largest chapter is devoted to lameness. Ancillary information provided in this book is not as comprehensive as that found in other textbooks on this topic; however, this book provides a concise overview to provide readers with a basic understanding of surgical treatment options for various conditions. This book is an easy read, written largely in outline and bulleted formats. Text boxes highlight important points and helpful tips, and the many illustrations help depict various procedures.
The authors have a lot of practical experience in the field of bovine surgery. They are from 4 countries and provide unique perspectives on bovine practice in their respective areas. However, readers are cautioned because the regulations regarding drug use and animal welfare vary among countries, and some recommendations made by the authors might not be legal in the United States.
This book is affordable and is available in a 5.5 × 8.5-inch paperback, making it convenient as a quick field reference guide for practice vehicles. I believe this book will also be a good resource for veterinary students to gain an overview of bovine diseases and procedures.
Reviewed by Andrew Niehaus, DVM, MS, DACVS
The Ohio State University Columbus, Ohio
Practical Lambing and Lamb Care: A Veterinary Guide (4th edition)
Neil Sargison, VetMB, PhD, DSHP, DECSRHM; James Patrick Crilly, MA, VetMB, DECSRHM; & Andrew Hopker, BVM&S
158 pages. 2018. Wiley Blackwell.
ISBN 978-1-119-14066-5. Price $63.99.
The fourth edition of Practical Lambing and Lamb Care: A Veterinary Guide is a helpful resource for small ruminant producers and veterinarians. It is a comprehensive guide that contains sections on general lambing and kidding management, husbandry, basic health care, specific causes of lamb and kid morbidity and death, pregnancy management, animal welfare, nutrition planning, and practical sickness recognition and treatment. This book is not meant to provide an explanation of disease mechanisms or detailed instructions for the treatment of diseases, but does touch on nearly every issue that producers or veterinarians may encounter when managing reproduction and lambing. New to this edition is a section on goat management, which broadens the scope of the information presented and should make the book appealing to a wider audience. It should be noted that the book was written and published in the United Kingdom; therefore, some of the information on regulations, legislation, and medications may not be applicable in areas outside of the United Kingdom.
I believe this is a fairly priced book for small ruminant producers or novice veterinarians who are looking for a reference that contains easily understood charts, diagrams, and images and a basic overview of common husbandry, management issues, and diseases associated with the lambing or kidding process. The information contained in this book can serve as a foundation to aid in the prevention of issues associated with lambing or kidding and the raising of young lambs or kids over the course of a year and provides advice on when it is appropriate to seek veterinary care. As a mixed-animal veterinarian, I found this book to be comprehensive and easy to understand; however, experienced small ruminant veterinarians may find the information too introductory.
Reviewed by Elizabeth Hardy, DVM
Twin Pines Animal Hospital Bothell, Wash
Pig Health
John Carr, BVSc, PhD, DPM, DECPHM; Shih-Ping Chen, DVM, PhD; Joseph F. Connor, DVM, MS; Roy Kirkwood, DVM, PhD, DECAR; & Joaquim Segalés, DVM, PhD, DECPHM, DECVP
498 pages. 2018. CRC Press (an imprint of Taylor & Francis Group).
ISBN 978-1-4987-0472-4. Price $119.95.
Pig Health was written by a group of international swine experts from Australia, Taiwan, Spain, and the United States. Although the preface does not specify a target audience, the book appears to be intended for veterinary students and recent graduates. The content of the book focuses on clinical applications in swine health and management. It consists of 11 chapters that cover clinical examination, disorders by body system, environmental medicine, and maintenance of pig health. The accompanying website has > 1,500 color figures (mostly photographs) and 65 videos. Unfortunately, video commentary, which is critical for understanding, is not provided online or in the corresponding chapters but rather is listed in Appendix 3. Also, many figures, albeit key to the core material presented within the chapters, are not discussed in the text. The quality and descriptors for several photographs could be improved, especially given that the book appears to be intended for readers with little or no background in swine production. The book has a large number of tables that summarize practical information. Various topics and disorders are covered alphabetically by body system, and the description generally incorporates the latest knowledge. The depth of discussion for each disorder varies dramatically from 3 to 4 sentences for 1 condition to several pages for other conditions. Some chapters (eg, Chapter 2: Reproductive Disorders) are well structured and organized, which makes them easy to read, whereas other chapters are less organized and provide random bits of very specific information. The authors tend to focus on the most common and clinically relevant conditions and sometimes provide generalizations that might be misinterpreted. Overall, I believe this is a reasonably priced book that will be a good international resource for those interested in clinical swine practice and health.
Reviewed by Alejandro Ramirez, DVM, MPH, PhD, DACVPM
Iowa State University Ames, Iowa
Breed Predispositions to Disease in Dogs and Cats (3rd edition)
Alex Gough, MA, VetMB, MRCVS; Alison Thomas, BVSc; & Dan O'Neill, MVB, PhD
398 pages. 2018. Wiley Blackwell.
ISBN 978-1-119-22554-6. Price $65.00.
The third edition of Breed Predispositions to Disease in Dogs and Cats is a good resource for breed-related hereditary diseases gleaned from the peer-reviewed published literature. Each dog and cat breed has its own section. Diseases are listed by body system in alphabetical order.
The addition of Dan O'Neill as an author provides expertise in epidemiology and evidence-based veterinary medicine. Most disease entities presented cite frequency, prevalence, and risk data, but statistical data are not provided for all, which makes it difficult to differentiate between common and uncommon diseases.
For this edition, the authors relied solely on evidence-based resources. Thus, many breed-specific entries from the peer-reviewed published literature that were presented in the second edition were removed from this edition. Unfortunately, a lot of the veterinary literature consists of case studies, health survey results, and manuscripts describing gene-searching methods, and very little is published in an evidence-based manner. Additional sources of epidemiological data, such as the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists' Blue Book of breed-specific ocular diagnoses and unpublished data from the Royal Veterinary College's Veterinary Companion Animal Surveillance System (VetCompass) and the British Veterinary Association's hip dysplasia registry, were also omitted from this edition. In this edition, hip dysplasia is not referenced at all for most dog breeds. Likewise, several disease-causing mutations described in the published peer-reviewed literature are not mentioned. The breed entries of this edition no longer alert readers to the availability of genetic tests for causative mutations.
Overall, this edition is a good but not all-encompassing resource for breed-specific diseases. In my opinion, the authors' mission of including only evidence-based data has made this edition less informative than the second edition, particularly for veterinary practitioners and lay people who are looking for comprehensive and practical breed-specific health information.
Reviewed by Jerold S. Bell, DVM
Tufts University North Grafton, Mass
Small Animal Medical Differential Diagnosis: A Book of Lists (3rd edition)
Mark S. Thompson, DVM, DABVP
379 pages. 2018. Saunders (an imprint of Elsevier).
ISBN 978-0-323-49830-2. Price $63.95.
The third edition of Small Animal Medical Differential Diagnosis: A Book of Lists is literally, as the title implies, a book of lists, albeit a very handy one. The book is pocket sized, which makes it easy to keep at hand. It is divided into 3 sections (ie, lists based on clinical signs, differential diagnoses from a system perspective, and laboratory testing). New in this edition is a section on focused assessment with sonography for trauma (FAST) testing, which provides concise guidelines on performing and interpreting those studies. There is also a well-written section on pain and pain management. The lists presented appear complete and up-to-date, and additional background information is provided when necessary to put the presented information in context.
This book will be useful for veterinary students, new graduates, and other small animal practitioners who simply want to make sure they do not overlook any rule outs. It will also be helpful for anyone who needs to write case reports that require comprehensive differential diagnoses. My only criticism is that I feel the price of this book is a bit too high.
Reviewed by Kimberlee Buck, DVM, DABVP
Frankenmuth-Birch Run Veterinary Hospital Birch Run, Mich
Canine Infectious Diseases: Self-Assessment Color Review
Katrin Hartmann, Dr Med Vet, Dr Habil, DECVIM, & Jane Sykes, BVSc, PhD
272 pages. 2018. CRC Press (an imprint of Taylor & Francis Group).
ISBN 978-1-4822-2515-0. Price $43.95.
Canine Infectious Diseases: Self-Assessment Color Review provides an interactive approach to reviewing common infectious diseases of dogs in a case-based manner. This guide is not intended to provide in-depth details about specific diseases or provide instruction on how to perform procedures. It is intended to serve as a resource to help students and clinicians review infectious diseases of dogs commonly seen in practice.
The book consists of over 200 clinical cases, broadly classified as bacterial, fungal-algal, parasitic, vaccinal, and viral. The cases comprising the first half of the book are presented in a random order that mimics what clinicians experience in practice. For each case, the signalment is well described, concise, and written as if it were being presented in rounds. Case descriptions generally include large vivid photographs of patients with grossly evident infectious diseases, such as ocular, joint, and skin lesions. Each case description is followed by 1 to 4 thought-provoking questions used for self-assessment. Results of diagnostic tests (eg, cytology) and imaging (eg, ultrasonography and retinal images) performed are provided, as is information regarding treatment. Readers are then encouraged to flip to the second half of the book, which contains detailed answers to the self-assessment questions.
This book is adequately referenced. The content and images are provided by renowned specialists at universities from around the world, and the text is clear, concise, and well written. Its premise of being a quick self-quizzing guide will make it an invaluable resource for veterinary students and review for experienced practitioners. Many of us understand diseases best through practice experience, and case-based learning, as presented in this book, is an effective and fun way to solidify knowledge about infectious diseases of dogs.
Reviewed by Elizabeth E. Alvarez, DVM, DABVP
University of Wisconsin Madison, Wis
Small Animal Imaging: Self-Assessment Review
John S. Mattoon, DVM, DACVR, & Dana Neelis, DVM, MS, DACVR
262 pages. 2018. CRC Press (an imprint of Taylor & Francis Group).
ISBN 978-1-4822-2520-4. Price $43.95.
Small Animal Imaging: Self-Assessment Review is a well-organized compilation of clinical cases and is simply divided into 3 parts: abdomen, thorax, and musculoskeletal system. It has an index at the back in addition to a listing of broad classifications of cases in the front, which enables readers to easily locate information regarding a specific type of case. Cases are presented in a manner similar to that of a clinical setting, beginning with the patient signalment followed by history, physical examination findings, diagnostic test results, and diagnostic images (mostly radiographs). The text is minimal and easy to follow and understand. Some cases include additional images obtained by diagnostic imaging modalities other than standard radiography, such as horizontal-beam or contrast radiography, CT, MRI, and ultrasonography. Cases are presented in the first half of the book, and the outcomes and additional images for those cases and answers to questions posed with the case presentation are provided in the second half of the book. I found this a bit cumbersome and think readers would find it more convenient if the case outcomes and answers were provided immediately following the case presentation.
The cases presented represent a mix of common and less common disease processes. This book may be most appropriate as a reference for some readers and as a source for continuing education in radiology for others.
As a veterinary radiologist, 1 criticism I have regarding this book is the suboptimal size and quality of the images. It is often challenging to visualize pathological lesions, even on original radiographs. A suggestion for future editions of this book would be to make the images available online. That way, readers could access and interact with (eg, enlarge) higher-quality images, which in conjunction with the book, would enhance the learning experience.
Reviewed by Rachel Schochet, DVM, MS, DACVR
Petrays Hailey, Idaho
Small Animal Thoracic Surgery
E. Christopher Orton, DVM, PhD, DACVS, & Eric Monnet, DVM, PhD, DACVS, DECVS
250 pages. 2018. Wiley Blackwell.
ISBN 978-1-118-94341-0. Price $179.99.
Small Animal Thoracic Surgery covers various aspects of thoracic surgery in small animals providing readers with in-depth, referenced, and well-illustrated information. The authors have judiciously integrated some material from a 1995 book on cardiac surgery to help readers appreciate advancements in veterinary cardiac surgery and highlight future directions. Veterinary cardiac surgery has evolved over the past 20 years, including advancements in diagnostic imaging techniques to acquire a more comprehensive understanding of cardiac diseases and the development of a large spectrum of treatment options and minimally invasive techniques. The illustrations are of excellent quality and facilitate understanding the 3-D nature of cardiac and thoracic structures. Purchase of the book comes with access to a companion website that contains additional audiovisual resources to enhance the learning experience.
Veterinary cardiac surgery continues to evolve, even though it is a relatively small niche within soft tissue surgery. The target audience for this book is fairly large, and it was written accordingly. It will help veterinary students capture some essential elements important for the comprehension of cardiac diseases. Surgery and cardiology residents will find it a useful reference during their training and in preparation for board-certification examinations. Soft tissue surgeons will find this book helpful regardless of their expertise and confidence with the described procedures.
Consistency and attention to detail are evident throughout the book. The authors have admirably risen to the challenge of presenting complex conditions and techniques in a simple and educative way.
Reviewed by Augusta Pelosi, DVM, DACVS, DACVIM
North American Veterinary Heart Center Jupiter, Fla
Atlas of Small Animal Wound Management and Reconstructive Surgery (4th edition)
Michael M. Pavletic, DVM, DACVS
866 pages. 2018. Wiley Blackwell.
ISBN 978-1-119-26750-8. Price $199.99.
The fourth edition of the Atlas of Small Animal Wound Management and Reconstructive Surgery continues the tradition set by previous editions and will likely succeed them in becoming the gold-standard reference for the care and treatment of wounds in small animals. Wound therapy in veterinary medicine is challenging because wounds are rarely similar in terms of their locations, severity of tissue damage, or duration. Consequently, the veterinary literature on wounds is often inconsistent or conflicting. This book does an excellent job of presenting and summarizing various perspectives of wound therapy and correlating those perspectives with clinical experience.
The topics and techniques discussed in this book can generally be applied by both specialists and general practitioners. Although some techniques described require special equipment or tools, most require only a practitioner's interest and willingness to try a new technique. Each chapter has been updated from the previous edition, and most chapters include new sections and additional photographs and illustrations. Of particular note are the updated and expanded sections on open-wound management and topical therapies; those sections now include greater in-depth discussion of biologics and natural topical agents such as maggots and leeches. This edition also contains expanded descriptions and new illustrations of various facial reconstruction techniques and an entirely new chapter on pinnal reconstructive surgery.
All veterinary practitioners who treat wounds (ie, almost every practitioner) will find it advantageous to have this book available for quick reference.
Reviewed by Matthew D. Johnson, DVM, MVSc, DACVS
University of Florida Gainesville, Fla
Canine Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation (2nd edition)
Chris Zink, DVM, PhD, DACVP, DACVSMR, & Janet B. Van Dyke, DVM, DACVSMR
594 pages. 2018. Wiley Blackwell.
ISBN 978-1-119-38038-2. Price $99.99.
The second edition of Canine Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation serves as a good starting point and reference for veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and veterinary students interested in sports medicine and rehabilitation, but it does not fully reflect the advancements in knowledge from the last 5 years of research. This edition has been improved from the first. The introduction to canine rehabilitation and chapters on the business of canine rehabilitation and nutrition are detailed and a pleasure to read. The chapter on orthotics and prosthetics has been expanded in regard to known kinematics in dogs; however, information on other assistive devices has been omitted. The quality of information presented is inconsistent among chapters. Some chapters largely ignore available veterinary scientific literature and present an overly simplistic view of the topic being discussed. There is only 1 chapter devoted to all rehabilitation modalities, with a brief explanation of each. The book needs more information on exercise physiology, and although information on gait analysis has been expanded, the text only touches on current knowledge about canine gait (a large part of sports medicine). Although an impressive list of experts contributed content to this book, many chapters require qualifying statements, such as “in the author's opinion or experience,” because opinions are often presented as though they are known facts, which may be confusing or misleading for inexperienced readers.
Although, the book's aim to be the definitive reference on 2 separate but related subjects is laudable, I think it is difficult to achieve in a single volume. I remain hopeful for a multivolume edition, with one volume focusing on sports medicine and the other on rehabilitation.
Reviewed by Julia Tomlinson, BVSc, PhD, DACVS, DACVSMR
Twin Cities Animal Rehabilitation & Sports Medicine Clinic Burnsville, Minn and Founder, American Association of Rehabilitation Veterinarians
Cooperative Veterinary Care
Alicea Howell, BS, RVT, VTS, KPA, CTP, & Monique Feyrecilde, BA, LVT, VTS
255 pages. 2018. Wiley Blackwell.
ISBN 978-1-119-13052-9. Price $79.99.
The content of Cooperative Veterinary Care was a long time coming and is available in both electronic and paperback formats. For years, many zoo animals have been trained to facilitate cooperative veterinary and husbandry care. Sadly, the same is not true for companion and food animals. Although the title includes the term veterinary care, the concepts and principles presented in the book can be applied to many other animal care fields such as grooming, training, and boarding. The authors identify common problems encountered by veterinary team members and patient owners.
The concepts and training information presented follow a logical progression from beginning to end. The book begins with a discussion on why cooperative veterinary care is important, then proceeds to descriptions of animal perception and communication, learning theory, and how to identify patients that will benefit from cooperative care training and determine at which level to start them. The book and its companion website contain detailed written guidelines and videos with step-by-step procedures for training animals to perform most common tasks. Other supplementary materials include a plan sheet, syllabus, and homework to help start puppy training off on the right foot, although those materials can be adapted and used for any species. In regard to the videos, it is important to remember that the people depicted are experienced trainers and make the techniques used look easy. People who are new to training or accustomed to the use of force, luring, or bribing will likely have a learning curve and may experience some frustration in assimilating the described techniques. The authors anticipated this and try to mitigate potential frustration by providing helpful tips to overcome many common training obstacles. Overall, this book is a valuable asset to the veterinary community and should be in the reference library of every clinic.
Reviewed by Colleen S. Koch, DVM, DACVB
Mizzou Animal Behavior Clinic Wentzville, Mo and Animal Behavior Services Lincoln Land Animal Clinic Jacksonville, Ill
Reptile Medicine and Surgery in Clinical Practice
Bob Doneley, BVSc; Deborah Monks, BVSc, DECZM; Robert Johnson, BVSc, MANZCVS; & Brendan Carmel, BVSc, MVS, GDipComp, MANZCVS
500 pages. 2018. Wiley Blackwell.
ISBN 978-1-118-97767-5. Price $119.99.
It is no secret that Australia is home to some of the most fascinating reptiles on the planet. So a new textbook written and edited primarily by Australians, with a scattering of international authors, comes with high expectations. Information on the rich diversity of Australian herpetofauna, and those who treat them, does not disappoint. The goal of Reptile Medicine and Surgery in Clinical Practice is to provide veterinarians with a practical clinical reference and veterinary students with an introductory, but not encyclopedic, study guide for reptiles, as evidenced by the lack of references.
One of the strengths of this book is its brevity. Each section provides a concise, yet comprehensive, review. This book will appeal to veterinarians with a deep passion for reptiles because it provides a fresh look at reptile medicine and surgery from an Australian point of view. The book begins with overviews of taxonomy, anatomy, behavior, husbandry, nutrition, and reproduction (including an especially good chapter on lighting) and then moves on to diagnostics, differential diagnoses, and an organ-system approach to diseases. Veterinary care of reptiles differs from that of other species, and I particularly appreciated the chapters on reptile practice, consultation, techniques, supportive care (eg, housing and nursing), pharmacology, infectious diseases, analgesia and anesthesia, surgery, parasitology, euthanasia, and necropsy. Everyone with an interest in reptiles and reptile medicine should have this book in their reference library. Well done, authors.
Reviewed by Thomas H. Boyer, DVM, DABVP
Pet Hospital of Peñasquitos San Diego, Calif
Diagnosis and Control of Diseases of Fish and Shellfish
Brian Austin, DSc, & Aweeda Newaj-Fyzul, BSc, PhD
300 pages. 2017. Wiley Blackwell.
ISBN 978-1-119-15213-2. Price $165.00.
The aim of Diagnosis and Control of Diseases of Fish and Shellfish is to provide an updated reference for the diagnosis of fish and shellfish diseases. The chapter on modern diagnostic methods is excellent and contains a review of conventional diagnostic methods for fish as well as information on current immunoserologic and molecular methods and novel methods that may become available for use in the future. The section on bacteria covers both existing and emerging bacterial infections with insights on climate-driven trends in their global distribution. The section on viral diseases is surprisingly short considering the emerging global importance of viral pathogens in the aquaculture industry. However, it does contain a number of excellent tables that outline diagnostic assays and other molecular techniques available for detection of various viral pathogens in addition to information on viral infections of Crustaceans and Mollusca. The authors use contemporary taxonomy (eg, Monogenea and Mesomycetozoea) to review the diversity of protozoan and metazoan parasites that infest fish and shellfish. The section on parasites also contains excellent information on the chemical and nonchemical approaches to parasite control (eg, biosecurity, husbandry-based practices, diet, biological intervention, genetic breeding programs, and physical and mechanical measures). The section on antimicrobials is not well developed and is essentially a cursory overview of compounds that have been reported in the literature, but which may not necessarily be appropriate or legally approved for use against a particular disease. Readers would have been better served had the authors focused on the various assays available for the development of therapeutic recommendations based on results of bacterial culture and susceptibility. As a group, shellfish are only briefly covered in the book and probably should not have been included in the title. To my knowledge, this is the first fish disease book to cover prebiotics, probiotics, medicinal plants, immunostimulants, and prophylactic vaccination for use in aquaculture. This book will be a useful reference for veterinarians, aquatic researchers, and advanced fish biologists.
Reviewed by Stephen A. Smith, DVM, PhD
Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine Blacksburg, Va
Sea Bass and Sea Bream: A Practical Approach to Disease Control and Health Management
Pierpaolo Patarnello, DVM, & Niccoló Vendramin, DVM
136 pages. 2017. 5M Publishing.
ISBN 978-1-910-45579-1. Price $115.00.
Sea Bass and Sea Bream: A Practical Approach to Disease Control and Health Management is a short manual written with the aim of providing practical advice for veterinary practitioners working in Mediterranean marine aquaculture production systems. The primary focus is on the diagnostic process and major diseases of sea bass and sea bream; however, a number of other species commonly cultured in the Mediterranean are also discussed.
The book is divided into 2 parts. The first part provides a very brief review of the 2 types (land-based and net pen) of Mediterranean marine aquaculture systems and the 2 species (Gilthead sea bream and European sea bass) commonly raised in those systems. It also provides a detailed discussion of the diagnostic approach to a disease outbreak in those systems, including a nice overview of the essential equipment required and the development of a case description and clinical history. The discussion and description of the clinical examination, necropsy procedures, and sample collection will be particularly useful to clinicians new to fish medicine.
The second part provides a review of the main infectious diseases associated with modern Mediterranean aquaculture. Many photographs and images are provided to illustrate specific pathogens and common clinical signs. However, the lack of a scale bar in images of wet mounts and photomicrographs makes assessment of size difficult. The text does discuss general management and therapeutic approaches to disease outbreaks, but specific management protocols and preventive strategies for the diseases described are generally lacking.
This book will be useful to veterinarians and veterinary students wishing to gain a quick overview of the diagnostic approach to common diseases of fish in Mediterranean aquaculture systems.
Reviewed by Tim Miller-Morgan, DVM, CertAqV
Hatfield Marine Science Center Oregon State University Newport, Ore
books for veterinary technicians
Veterinary Nursing Care Plans: Theory and Practice
Helen Ballantyne, PGDip, BSc, RN, RVN
140 pages. 2018. CRC Press (an imprint of Taylor & Francis Group).
ISBN 978-1-138-57810-4. Price $149.95.
Veterinary Nursing Care Plans: Theory and Practice does a thorough job in defining nursing care plans. The author references and discusses human nursing care plans (from a United Kingdom perspective) and how they have evolved over the years. She then uses those plans as a foundation on which to model usable nursing care plans for veterinary medicine.
Each chapter begins with a list of objectives, ends with a review of key points, and is well referenced. I especially liked the “Further Reflections” section at the end of each chapter, which poses questions to stimulate readers to think outside the box and delve deeper into the topic presented.
Although veterinary nursing plans are not commonly used in current practice, the author makes a convincing argument for their implementation. She highlights the importance of providing holistic care, improving client communication, promoting collaboration among the veterinary team, and instituting clinical governance and asserts that the use of veterinary nursing plans can facilitate those aims and increase the bottom line of a practice. Even though the text generally focuses on theory rather than practice, the end of the book has a section on how to use nursing care plans in a veterinary practice. That section includes discussion of the barriers to and specific examples to aid in the implementation of nursing care plans in a practice.
In summary, this book provides a comprehensive discussion on the use of nursing care plans. However, it is pricey and probably best suited for veterinary medical educators and professionals interested in the history and feasibility of veterinary nursing care plans.
Reviewed by Lisa L. Eller, DVM
Arthur Veterinary Clinic Arthur, Ill and Parkland College Champaign, Ill
books for clients
101 Essential Tips—Puppy or New Dog: Health & Safety
Jason Nicholas, BVetMed
90 pages. 2016. Preventive Vet Enterprises, LLC.
ISBN 978-0-9883781-2-4. Price $9.95.
101 Essential Tips—Kitten or New Cat: Health & Safety
Jason Nicholas, BVetMed
106 pages. 2017. Preventive Vet Enterpries, LLC.
ISBN 978-0-9883781-3-1. Price $9.95.
101 Essential Tips—Puppy or New Dog: Health & Safety is a petite package of extremely useful information for all pet owners, novice or experienced. At first glance, it might appear that this book, with its delightful and playful illustrations by Chuck Gonzales, is intended for children. But, it turns out that the contents within are legitimately important for all pet owners, including children. The text is easy to read and presented in nuggets, generally about 1 paragraph in length, each of which is titled and indexed in a clean layout. Although the information is not lengthy or intense, I found the style inspired me to keep turning pages until the very end without feeling like I was in a lecture. I have to confess, I really did pick up some new talking points for my clients (I did some fact checking and found the advice in this book to be accurate and relevant). One minor distraction I noted was that a few pages were cluttered with coupons and ads encouraging readers to seek further information at the author's website.
As a veterinarian who works in a busy emergency practice, I simply do not have time to extensively discuss with clients the topics presented in this book. One solution to that problem is to send a resource like this book home with owners. I appreciate that the author encourages owners to seek veterinary care when troubled. The bottom line is that, in my opinion, for < $10, all veterinary practices should consider stocking this book for gifting to clients. Not only is it captivating and proactive, the information it contains can prompt important discussions with clients.
101 Essential Tips—Kitten or New Cat: Health & Safety is the next in the series and follows the same format as 101 Essential Tips—Puppy or New Dog: Health & Safety. The author has again created a captivating resource with savvy and relevant information, this time for cat owners. The short quick-to-read tidbits of preventive care advice for kittens and cats are addictive for readers, and the illustrations, once again by Chuck Gonzales, draw readers in with their alluring theme and could stand alone in terms of their relevance. At first glance, one might assume the book is for children, but it is actually intended for all cat owners, new or old. I find I have memorized some of the sound-bite talking points presented in the book and frequently use them in my discussions with clients. Moreover, my clients are beyond delighted when I send this book home with them. Although this book is not intended to be a dissertation on any 1 subject, it is a jumping-off point for further research or discussion with a veterinarian. Similar to the puppy and dog book of this series, some of the pages are busy or cluttered with promotions and coupons, but that does not detract from the overall usefulness of the content. At the end of hectic days in the emergency room, I am comforted that I am able to send this important comprehensive and lasting resource on kitten and cat health and safety home with my clients, which provides them with a breadth of information that would be impossible to cover face-to-face in 1 visit.
Even after decades in practice, I was enlightened by many of the facts presented in both of these books. The books are modestly priced, and the information presented is germane to every dog and cat owner regardless of experience.
Reviewed by Cheryl Scott, RN, NP, DVM, MPVM
University of California-Davis Davis, Calif
The Dog: A Natural History
Ádám Miklósi, DSc, PhD
224 pages. 2018. Princeton University Press.
ISBN 978-0-691-17693-2. Price $27.95.
In the introduction to The Dog: A Natural History, the authors state their wish to show the dog from many different perspectives. They achieve that goal, albeit inconsistently. The authors draw on research findings to present information about dogs including current concepts in dog ecology and evolution, anatomy and physiology, and basic genetics. It is presented in a textbook-like format with beautiful color photographs and clear diagrams. The text was written in short discrete paragraphs, which makes for easy reading for today's typical easily distracted readers. Given that the authors are primarily researchers in canine cognition and ethology, it is not surprising that the sections on canine behavior, especially those on sensing, thinking, and personality, and explanations of normal canine behaviors are the strongest.
Unfortunately, the book has inconsistencies that may make it difficult or inaccessible for some readers. Although the authors do a good job of explaining canine behavior, they do not always define behavioral terminology. Readers may not understand terms such as agonistic encounters or afflictive interactions. There are also instances when a research finding is presented in context but not fully explained. This occurs more frequently in sections that are outside of the authors' areas of expertise, such as nutrition and the very brief section on behavior problems and illnesses entitled “Malformation in Behavior.” Overall, I believe this is a book that dog owners will enjoy, especially those who are seeking to easily expand their background knowledge of what dogs are and where they come from; however, readers should be aware that the information provided is more of a stepping stone than a definitive reference.
Reviewed by Laurie Bergman, VMD, DACVB
NorthStar VETS Robbinsville, NJ
