BOOKS FOR VETERINARIANS
Writing Skills for Veterinarians
Ryane E. Englar, DVM, DABVP
151 pages. 2019. 5M Publishing Ltd. ISBN 978-1-789-18035-0. Price $33.20.
Writing Skills for Veterinarians is intended for any veterinarian (educator, clinician, or researcher) who mentors veterinary students in becoming proficient in the communications skills necessary to be successful in the profession. With 14 detailed chapters and 3 technical appendices comprised of 30 skill-building practice exercises, this book is a must read for administrators, curriculum committee members, and private practitioners interested in honing communication skills. This book is a bargain relative to the cost of knowledge that might be gained. The central theme of the book is training veterinary students to become successful in their overall thinking and writing skills. It begins with a brief introduction to medical documentation, with clear explanations of the etymology of anatomic sites and derivation of common medical prefixes and suffixes. The book offers beginners (entering veterinary students) a clear explanation of the communication skills expected of veterinarians. The heart of the book is devoted to mastering problem-oriented medical records (ie, SOAP [subjective, objective, assessment, and plan] notes). These sections are exceptional. The book concludes with a discussion of scientific writing and the submission of research articles. It is quite apparent that this book was a labor of love for the author and that the author cares deeply about mentoring veterinary students to ensure their success and the success of the veterinary medical profession.
Reviewed by Charles M. Hendrix, DVM, PhD
Auburn University, Ala
Textbook of Small Animal Emergency Medicine Volumes 1 & 2
Kenneth J. Drobatz, DVM, DACVIM, DACVECC; Kate Hopper, BVSc, PhD, DACVECC; Elizabeth Rozanski, DVM, DACVIM, DACVECC; & Deborah C. Silverstein, DVM, DACVECC
591 & 1,339 pages. 2019. Wiley Blackwell. ISBN 978-1-119-02893-2. Price $249.99 for both volumes.
The Textbook of Small Animal Emergency Medicine is a comprehensive reference for any veterinary hospital. This 2-volume set is reasonably priced for the breadth of information it contains, and the editors and authors are a veritable assembly of the who's who in the College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care.
The 2 volumes consist of 8 sections with multiple chapters per section. Section 1 is a quick overview of the goals of emergency medicine and triage. Section 2 focuses on common clinical conditions, such as respiratory distress and fever, with guidance provided on the use of patient history and physical examination findings to narrow down the list of differential diagnoses and stay on the correct diagnostic track. In section 3, the largest section of the book, emergency conditions are described by body system. It includes an extensive overview of many conditions and diseases routinely observed in emergency rooms and thoroughly addresses pathophysiology, diagnosis, current concepts, and, most importantly, a useable treatment plan complete with drug dosages for each condition. Each chapter ends with a list of references for readers who are interested in the source material and further reading. Sections 4 and 5 provide an overview of trauma and resuscitation with recommendations for appropriate fluid and blood product therapies. Sections 6 and 7 describe procedures commonly performed in emergency rooms as well as relevant anesthesia and analgesia protocols for emergency conditions. Section 8 is aptly titled Unique Emergency Medicine Topics and contains discussions of 10 very important topics, such as working dogs in the emergency room, approaches to unowned or shelter animals, euthanasia conditions, and conflicts in the emergency room.
The sections are thoughtfully laid out, which allows readers to quickly access needed information. Chapters within each section are typically brief (most are 4 to 5 pages) and concise, providing readers with a comprehensive overview of the process or syndrome being described. This is a huge benefit for emergency clinicians who often have an overwhelming sense of urgency, which makes them avoid references that do not get to the point quickly or provide pertinent information in a concise fashion. Overall, this book provides readers with up-to-date, well-referenced information in a manner conducive for use in a fast-paced emergency room setting and will be a great addition to any veterinary library.
Reviewed by Leslie D. Bauer, DVM, DABVP
Emergency Pet Clinic San Antonio, Tex
BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Emergency and Critical Care (3rd edition)
Lesley G. King, MVB, DACVECC, DACVIM, & Amanda Boag, MA, VetMB, DECVECC, DACVECC, DACVIM
424 pages. 2018. British Small Animal Veterinary Association & Wiley Blackwell. ISBN 978-1-905319-64-0. Price $120.00.
The third edition of the BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Emergency and Critical Care is worth every penny! It is laid out in a well-organized, logical, triage-to-treatment, systems-based manner. Written by well-known and respected experts in the field of veterinary emergency and critical care, the information within the book is evidence based and current. Critical elements of patient assessment, diagnosis, and treatment are clearly provided. Tables throughout the text provide quick reference summaries of information pertaining to rule-out lists, classification of diseases, and specific procedures and facilitate use of this book as a quick reference. Although all necessary steps and information for the described procedures are included in the text, readers who prefer step-by-step visual instructions might need another resource, particularly for complicated procedures. This book is an excellent resource for novice as well as seasoned practitioners who need a quick memory boost. In my opinion, this book should be in the reference library of every veterinary clinic.
Reviewed by Michelle E. Goodnight, DVM, MS, DACVECC
Major, US Army (retired) Gwinnett Technical College Lawrenceville, Ga
BSAVA Manual of Avian Practice: A Foundation Manual
John Chitty, BVetMed, MSB, & Deborah Monks, BVSc, DECZM
462 pages. 2018. British Small Animal Veterinary Association & Wiley Blackwell. ISBN 978-1-905-31981-7. Price $110.00.
The BSAVA Manual of Avian Practice: A Foundation Manual is a concise, well-written book for veterinarians experienced in avian practice as well as novice veterinarians who aspire to become familiar with and treat birds. Numerous well-known avian practitioners contributed to this book, and it covers a broad variety of important and frequently encountered topics in detail. Use of a step-by-step approach to organize content is especially helpful in instructing readers on how to perform complete diagnostic workups. The photographs, illustrations, and tables are both visually appealing and informative. This book is well worth the price and will be a valuable addition to the reference library of any veterinarian interested in treating birds. I really love this book!
Reviewed by Linda Pesek, VMD, DABVP
Central Vets Valley Stream, NY
Anatomy and Histology of the Laboratory Rat in Toxicology and Biomedical Research
Robert Lewis Maynard, BSc, MB, BCh, & Noel Downes, BDS
359 pages. 2019. Academic Press (an imprint of Elsevier). ISBN 978-0-12-811837-5. Price $170.00.
In the preface of Anatomy and Histology of the Laboratory Rat in Toxicology and Biomedical Research, the authors clearly state that it is not intended to be a reference textbook but rather a book that provides a comparative overview of rat anatomy, with an emphasis on tissue form and function. The chapters are thoughtfully organized in a systems-based approach that evolves into more detailed chapters, which highlight specific tissues and organ systems that are commonly viewed as target organs in toxicity and carcinogenicity studies. The tables and diagrams are particularly useful as are the comprehensive bibliographies included at the end of each chapter. However, it is important to note that this book is not an atlas; the histology component of the text is mostly descriptive. The few photomicrographs that are included are generally not of the best image quality and often lack detail (eg, information regarding type of stain used, magnification, and scale bars is often not provided). For this reason, this book may not be an appropriate introductory textbook for those unfamiliar with histologic interpretation.
The book is reasonably priced, and the target audience as indicated by the authors is graduate students studying toxicology and those working in the areas of zoology, anatomy, physiology, experimental pathology, and immunology. Laboratory technicians or assistants and undergraduate or veterinary students interested in learning more about comparative rat anatomy and dissection techniques will also find this book useful.
Reviewed by Erin M. Quist, DVM, PhD, DACVP
Experimental Pathology Laboratories Inc Research Triangle Park, NC
Ectoparasites: Drug Discovery Against Moving Targets
Charles Q. Meng, PhD, & Ann E. Sluder, PhD
360 pages. 2018. Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. ISBN 978-3-527-34168-9. Price $205.00.
Ectoparasites: Drug Discovery Against Moving Targets is the eighth volume of a series entitled Drug Discovery in Infectious Diseases. This book provides an excellent review of the development, evaluation, and use of insecticides, acaricides, and vaccines against ectoparasites. The book focuses primarily on ectoparasites of importance in veterinary medicine. The 1 exception is the chapter on drug development for the control of human lice, which is an excellent review but seems out of place in this book. The rest of the book is devoted to the development of drugs and vaccines to control external parasites of importance to veterinary medicine. It will be a valuable resource for specialists in veterinary parasitology, pharmacology, and dermatology. Of particular value is that the entire book has extensive referencing of source material, which is not found in most books. This allows readers to research relevant references and expand their knowledge on specific topics including the design of in vitro and in vivo methods to develop and evaluate drugs that treat external parasites. Although the topics in the first sections of the book may primarily interest specialists, the latter chapters of the book on the isoxazolines will be of use to practicing veterinarians. The isoxazoline class of drugs including afoxolaner, fluralaner, lotilaner, and sarolaner is currently revolutionizing the control of external parasites. The last 5 chapters on the discovery and development of afoxolaner and sarolaner are very detailed and provide excellent information on the mode of action, metabolism, and efficacy of this new class of ectoparasitic drugs.
Reviewed by Michael W. Dryden, DVM, PhD, DACVM
Kansas State University Manhattan, Kan
Medical and Veterinary Entomology (3rd edition)
Gary R. Mullen, PhD, & Lance A. Durden, PhD
769 pages. 2019. Academic Press (an imprint of Elsevier). ISBN 978-0-12-814043-7. Price $93.50.
In my opinion, the third edition of Medical and Veterinary Entomology is the most comprehensive textbook on the topic. The second edition has been the required textbook for the medical and veterinary entomology course I teach; however, after reviewing the third edition, it will become the required textbook for future course offerings. Each chapter is arranged in a logical and easy-to-use manner. It begins with a review of taxonomy and biology before proceeding to specific taxa of medical and veterinary importance and ends with information regarding disease control and prevention. This edition provides meaningful updates that address research advances and emerging diseases. For example, the chapter on mosquitoes includes a section on the Zika virus, and the chapter on ticks covers the Heartland Virus, Bourbon Virus, and Alpha-Gal Allergy. Students and other readers new to the medical and veterinary fields will appreciate the comprehensive glossary as well as the taxonomic and subject indexes. I suspect that this edition will become one of the most used references for nonentomological readers such as veterinarians, physicians, and epidemiologists who need information about arthropod-borne diseases. The editors assembled an impressive list of authors who are subject-matter experts, and each chapter was written by authoritative experts on the taxa being presented.
I recommend this book as a required textbook for entomology courses at both the upper undergraduate and graduate levels. It represents an authoritative and valuable resource for veterinarians, entomologists, vector biologists, physicians, public health officials, and others interested in medical or veterinary entomology.
Reviewed by Kelly M. Loftin, PhD, BCE
Cralley-Warren Research Laboratory University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Fayetteville, Ark
Equine Behavioral Medicine
Bonnie V. Beaver, DVM, MS, DACVB
381 pages. 2019. Academic Press (an imprint of Elsevier). ISBN 978-0-12-812106-1. Price $59.46.
In Equine Behavioral Medicine, renowned veterinary behaviorist Bonnie Beaver brings a novel approach to the topic of equine behavior by emphasizing the relationship among behavior, veterinary care, and welfare. This well-referenced book is a must-have for equine practitioners and will also appeal to horse enthusiasts seeking broad science-based knowledge of equine behavior and welfare.
Welfare messages are woven throughout chapters on equine senses and natural behaviors as the author describes how management practices that more closely approximate nature can support horse health and prevent behavioral problems. Step-by-step examples of behavior modification that use reinforcement-based methods to promote safety for veterinarians, horse owners, and horses are provided.
The chapter on the science of learning is particularly noteworthy and should be required reading for all equestrians. Types of learning as they apply to horses are adeptly explained, and learned fears, anxiety, and phobias are discussed. Also, terms such as habituation and desensitization are defined along with examples of practical application for each.
The chapter on behavioral medicine reviews sources of behavioral problems, then presents recommendations for treatment through modification of environment, nutrition, exercise, and handling. A review of neurophysiology precedes a comprehensive discussion of medications used for behavioral issues. For each medication discussed, information is provided regarding what conditions it is used to treat, its mechanism of action, and dosage. Appropriate caution is stressed for medications that lack efficacy and safety data.
Finally, animal welfare is defined in a manner that reinforces its connection to behavior, and methods for its measurement are described. Contemporary equine welfare issues are also addressed.
This book will enable veterinarians to educate clients and have more informed conversations about the behavioral, physical, and mental health of horses.
Reviewed by Jeannine Berger, DVM, DACVB, DACAW
San Francisco SPCA San Francisco, Calif
Farm Animal Behaviour: Characteristics for Assessment of Health and Welfare (2nd edition)
Ingvar Ekesbo, DVM, PhD, & Stefan Gunnarsson, DVM, PhD
360 pages. 2018. CABI. ISBN 978-1-78639139-1. Price $75.00.
It is critical that anyone who works with farm animals or is concerned about their welfare use the most up-to-date science to understand the needs of those animals. Scientists have made significant progress in understanding farm animal behavior and its relationship with animal health and welfare in the last decade. The second edition of Farm Animal Behaviour: Characteristics for Assessment of Health and Welfare has been updated with research findings from the last 10 years. It also has a broader perspective than the first edition owing to multiple authors. This edition contains additional photographs, many in color, to facilitate understanding and stimulate interest in the topics discussed. It provides a comprehensive collection of useful information on normal as well as stereotypical behavior in most domesticated mammals (eg, horses, pigs, rabbits, cattle, sheep, and goats) and birds (eg, fowl, turkeys, geese, and ducks) and nondomesticated farm animals (eg, fallow and red deer, ostriches, rheas, and emus). The authors do an outstanding job of organizing a broad topic. Each chapter covers 1 species, and information regarding the behavioral characteristics of each species is presented in a consistent manner. Sensory, social, and innate and learned behaviors as well as behaviors associated with perceived danger or peril, active and resting states, mating and parturition, domestication, health, and welfare are discussed for each species. This allows readers to compare behaviors across species or to access specific information with ease. There are some interesting nuggets of information that are hard to find elsewhere, such as side-by-side comparisons of behaviors between wild boars and domestic pigs and between Mallard and Muscovy ducks. The book is aimed at “all students, postgraduates and practitioners in veterinary medicine, animal science, welfare and ethology” and was written with the belief that deep knowledge of animal behavior is a critical component of any effort aimed at improving the health and welfare of animals. This book will be beneficial as a textbook in farm animal behavior courses for veterinary or animal science students. Society is increasingly interested in the welfare of animals, and veterinarians and animal scientists play an important role by providing the livestock industry with science-based information to address welfare issues and public concerns. This book will also be a valuable resource for veterinarians and animal scientists currently working with farm animals who wish to update their knowledge in this area as well as laypeople who are interested in the welfare of animals but have not received any formal animal behavior training.
Reviewed by Pascal Oltenacu, DVM, PhD
University of Florida Gainesville, Fla
