books for veterinarians
Miller and Evans’ Anatomy of the Dog (5th edition)
John W. Hermanson, PhD; Alexander de Lahunta, DVM, PhD; & Howard E. Evans, PhD
981 pages. 2020. Saunders (an imprint of Elsevier). ISBN 978-0-323-54601-0. Price $175.00.
The fifth edition of Miller and Evans’ Anatomy of the Dog remains the most comprehensive textbook on the anatomy of the canine body. The book features unique and accurate full-color illustrations and detailed descriptions of anatomic structures that facilitate comprehension of morphological design to accommodate function. The authors take a well-organized systemic approach to explain anatomic structures, and illustrations are comprehensively labeled including structures of particular regions and topographic relationships. Additionally, nerves and blood vessels are well described and illustrated within organs.
The book includes a special introductory chapter on American Kennel Club breed categories that describes breed identification and how it is determined. Additionally, an entire chapter is devoted to early prenatal growth and development of the skeletal system. Some organ developmental features are elucidated, and some common developmental anomalies are discussed with related organs. Given the level of detail provided, those developmental features aid in comprehension of anatomic knowledge. The book also contains MRI and CT images to augment interpretation of anatomic structures. The basic information provided in this book will also facilitate understanding of the anatomy of species other than dogs.
The text includes important details about canine morphology that is well organized and easy to understand, which will make it an invaluable reference for veterinary students, practitioners, and educators. However, the depth of detail and general systemic approach might encumber regular use of the book by typical veterinary students.
The content of this edition has been updated to reflect the latest knowledge regarding development, and nomenclature revisions have been included. New radiographic and CT images have been added, and new illustrative interpretations have been incorporated in the images of the lymphatic system.
Reviewed by Shireen Hafez, DVM, PhD
University of Illinois Urbana, Ill
Cunningham's Textbook of Veterinary Physiology (6th edition)
Bradley G. Klein, PhD
645 pages. 2020. Saunders (an imprint of Elsevier). ISBN 978-0-323-55227-1. Price $139.00.
The sixth edition of Cunningham's Textbook of Veterinary Physiology is appropriate for veterinary students in the preclinical phase of their training. The level of detail is sufficient to support a mechanistic understanding of physiologic processes yet maintain a focus on clinically relevant issues. This book will also be useful to more advanced students or clinicians who are seeking a physiology update or review.
Content includes an introduction to cellular physiology and cancer; a substantial neurophysiology section with basic neuroanatomy; sections on cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and reproductive physiology; and overviews of endocrine physiology, immunology, acid-base homeostasis, and thermoregulation. At the end of each chapter is a brief description explaining the clinical relevance of the presented information. Although students in the early stages of their training programs may find those synopses challenging to understand, that information will become increasingly useful as they progress in their training.
In general, the text is well written and complemented with adequate illustrations. Some illustrations are new and quite good, whereas others are in need of a refresh (eg, low-quality ECG images from 35 years ago). Some features of the book are not consistently helpful. For example, the Key Points provided at the beginning of some chapters are simply a verbatim list of the subheadings in the chapter and do not necessarily represent stand-alone key concepts. The few practice questions provided at the end of each chapter often require only simple recall of facts rather than application of knowledge. Lastly, the supplemental content available online from the publisher is limited in scope and appears to be a subset of short animated and narrated videos drawn from human physiology.
Reviewed by Leslie K. Sprunger, DVM, PhD
Washington State University Pullman, Wash
Common Clinical Presentations in Dogs and Cats
Ryane E. Englar, DVM, DABVP
1,019 pages. 2019. Wiley Blackwell. ISBN 978-1-119-41458-2. Price $174.99.
Common Clinical Presentations in Dogs and Cats is a guide to the diagnosis of disorders in canine and feline patients based on specific presenting complaints. It is intended to be a resource to help students and clinicians review causes of common clinical presentations seen in small animal practice.
The over 1,000-page book is comprised of 78 chapters grouped into 8 parts by body system. For example, Part Four: The Respiratory System includes chapters entitled Nasal Discharge, Stertor and Stridor, Sneezing and Coughing, Changes in Respiratory Rates and Patterns, and Abnormal Lung Sounds. Each chapter contains an introduction to the problem, followed by paragraphs that describe a number of potential differential diagnoses. Many chapters include concise and easy-to-follow flowcharts. Disease descriptions include large, vivid color photographs of patients with gross lesions and, when appropriate, related content such as photomicrographs of cytologic preparations and images obtained by various diagnostic imaging modalities. Chapters often conclude with brief descriptions of possible treatments. The book is heavily referenced with each chapter containing 50 to 100 references cited throughout the text.
The text is clear and well written. Some differential diagnoses are rare yet discussed in detail, which makes the text a bit cumbersome and lengthy in sections and causes the book to deviate from its advertised purpose of providing a quick reference for common clinical presentations. Nevertheless, the overarching premise of the book is to be a resource to help readers, especially veterinary students and early-career clinicians, develop a problem-oriented approach to diagnose disorders in dogs and cats. The author specifically acknowledges that the development of vital skills, such as pattern recognition and clinical reasoning, takes experience. The content of this book is organized on the basis of presenting complaints rather than by diseases, which students and novice clinicians may not yet recognize. Students who use this textbook should develop reasoning patterns that fit various clinical situations, thereby facilitating their future diagnostic skills. This book contains a massive amount of referenced content and useful images. It will be a valuable resource for veterinary students and provide a review of clinical presentations for novice as well as experienced clinicians.
Reviewed by Elizabeth Alvarez, DVM, DABVP
University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, Wis
Small Animal Dental Equipment, Materials, and Techniques (2nd edition)
Jan Bellows, DVM
486 pages. 2019. Wiley Blackwell. ISBN 978-1-118-98661-5. Price $174.99.
The second edition of Small Animal Dental Equipment, Materials, and Techniques is a completely redesigned and updated comprehensive reference for the dental discipline in veterinary medicine. The book describes how to design and equip a dental operatory; schedule and manage comprehensive oral prevention, assessment, and treatment with documentation for individual patients; and diagnose and treat all things oral in dogs and cats. It contains detailed information regarding current imaging technology as well as routine anesthetic protocols and monitoring. Compared with the first edition, which was released in 2004, this edition has been reorganized and the flow of content is much more user-friendly and easy to follow. The text is complemented by updated and excellent-quality color images that enhance the visual learning experience. Also new to this edition is an extensive glossary with definitions for many terms approved by the American Veterinary Dental College.
This book provides valuable insight on how to choose dental equipment and materials as well as how to perform fundamental and intermediate-level procedures in all dental disciplines. Some advanced procedures are introduced briefly but are clearly identified as such.
Overall, this book will be a valuable resource for any general veterinary practice regardless of the extent of dental work performed. It provides readers with a large volume of information and multiple references should they desire more extensive details.
Reviewed by Molly Angel, DVM, DAVDC
Goodison Veterinary Center PC Rochester, Mich
Fracture Management for the Small Animal Practitioner
Anne M. Sylvestre, DVM, DVSc, DACVS
282 pages. 2019. Wiley Blackwell. ISBN 978-1-119-21581-3. Price $124.99.
Fracture Management for the Small Animal Practitioner provides a succinct and valuable resource for small animal general or emergency veterinarians. It contains detailed images and descriptive paragraphs, which are especially beneficial as references for orthopedic bandage placement. The book also contains many insightful suggestions, techniques, and other tidbits for improving the clinical outcome for small animal patients with fractures. Brief descriptions and explanations regarding the prognosis and clinical outcomes for patients with various types of fractures are also helpful, particularly in terms of facilitating discussions about treatment options with clients. This book also has thoughtful suggestions for managing orthopedic injuries with realistic expectations for outcomes when recommended care cannot be pursued.
The authors provide clear direction regarding which types of fractures should be managed by general practitioners and which should be referred to an orthopedic specialist. Although the book details some basic fundamentals regarding fracture management and fixation, I echo the sentiments provided by the authors that such information is not meant to replace advanced training but rather to serve as a review for those who have already completed advanced training.
I recommend this book as a simple and rapid reference for practitioners who desire guidance on stabilizing acute fractures, addressing owners’ expectations, understanding when referral to an orthopedic specialist is and is not necessary, and assisting owners with providing follow-up care during recovery.
Reviewed by Heidi McDevitt, DVM, DACVS
MedVet Chicago Chicago, Ill
Withrow & MacEwen's Small Animal Clinical Oncology (6th edition)
David M. Vail, DVM, DACVIM; Douglas H. Thamm, VMD, DACVIM & Julius M. Liptak, BVSc, MVetClinStud, DECVS, DACVS
842 pages. 2020. Saunders (an imprint of Elsevier). ISBN 978-0-323-59496-7. Price $145.00.
The sixth edition of Withrow & MacEwen's Small Animal Oncology has been updated since the release of the fifth edition 7 years ago. Content contributors represent experts in the field of small animal oncology. This book continues to provide readers with a comprehensive overview of the basic principles of oncology and thorough review of tumor types and general chemotherapy guidelines as well as succinct information regarding staging recommendations and prognostic information for various conditions and treatment modalities. It also covers a wide variety of ancillary topics that range from tumor biology to supportive care and feeding of cancer patients.
This book contains excellent diagrams, photographs, and charts that allow readers to easily access information. You will not find a textbook that has a more comprehensive review of the recent literature or up-to-date information regarding treatment modalities for small animal oncology patients. It is fairly priced, and I recommend this book as the go-to oncology reference for veterinary students and small animal veterinarians.
Reviewed by Shawna Greene, DVM, MS, DACVIM
Iowa Veterinary Specialties Des Moines, Iowa
Veterinary Hematology: Atlas of Common Domestic and Non-Domestic Species (3rd edition)
William J. Reagan, DVM, PhD, DACVP; Armando R. Irizarry Rovira, DVM, DACVP & Dennis B. DeNicola, DVM, PhD, DACVP
122 pages. 2019. Wiley Blackwell. ISBN 978-1-119-06481-7. Price $69.99.
The third edition of Veterinary Hematology: Atlas of Common Domestic and Non-Domestic Species continues to include the wide variety of species featured in the second edition and also provides an introduction to amphibian hematology. New to this edition is a chapter on interpretation of hematology analyzer graphics, with an emphasis on the Idexx ProCyte Dx Hematology analyzer and histograms generated by impedance analyzers. The book consists primarily of photomicrographs with fairly brief accompanying text. The authors point out that the text is not intended to be comprehensive, and readers may need to consult more detailed references to fully evaluate the clinical importance of microscopic findings. The images throughout the book are of high quality and include examples of normal and abnormal findings, as well as common artifacts, across multiple species. This book will be particularly helpful when an unfamiliar cell or morphological variant is encountered during blood smear evaluation because it is sufficiently concise to allow users to scan the relevant chapter and find a matching image. A helpful glossary and 2 simple semiquantitative grading schemes for evaluation of RBC morphology and toxic changes in neutrophils are provided to assist readers new to hematology. This atlas is ideal for veterinarians and veterinary students and technicians who are seeking a broad introduction to blood smear evaluation of companion, farm, laboratory, and exotic animals. It will also be beneficial for experienced hematologists who occasionally evaluate blood smears from uncommon species.
Reviewed by Unity Jeffery, VetMB, PhD, DACVP
Texas A&M University College Station, Tex
Clinical Atlas of Canine and Feline Dermatology
Kimberly S. Coyner, DVM, DACVD
490 pages. 2019. Wiley Blackwell. ISBN 978-1-119-22630-7. Price $149.99.
By definition, an atlas provides a clear chart of direction, which is exactly what the Clinical Atlas of Canine and Feline Dermatology does. In my opinion, anyone who treats dogs and cats with dermatologic conditions should have this book in their reference library. This book contains numerous images, tables, and algorithms that guide readers through the process of diagnosing and resolving dermatologic diseases in dogs and cats. Contributors to the book include numerous practicing dermatology specialists, and their clinical experience is readily evident in the information presented.
The importance and roles of physical examination, lesion recognition, and basic diagnostic testing in simplifying the dermatologic workup are emphasized. A companion website provides videos with straightforward explanations for performing basic dermatologic diagnostic tests. For each disease discussed, there is a plethora of color photographs of gross lesions. In my opinion, these images represent the most diverse collection of clinical images for veterinary dermatologic diseases published to date.
The algorithms and tables provided in the book facilitate a straightforward and direct approach to evaluation and treatment of dogs and cats with dermatologic disorders. The information is presented in a concise easy-to-follow manner that enables busy practitioners to rapidly and easily access it. Reference algorithms are presented for common clinical signs such as pruritus and ear inflammation, which guide readers through essential steps for determining an appropriate diagnosis and developing a treatment plan.
In summary, I highly recommend this book for veterinary students, veterinary technicians, primary care veterinarians, and veterinary dermatologists who treat dogs and cats for dermatologic diseases.
Reviewed by Rose Miller, DVM, DACVD
Dermatology for Animals Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
Manual of Equine Dermatology
Rosanna Marsella, DVM, DACVD
135 pages. 2019. CABI. ISBN 978-1-78639-508-5. Price $89.10.
Manual of Equine Dermatology is an excellent and concise guide on how to approach a diagnostic workup for dermatologic diseases in horses. The book covers most common equine dermatologic conditions with an appropriate level of detail in a clear, easy-to-follow manner. A particular strength of this book is its organization, with each chapter focusing broadly on the clinical approach to topics such as crusting diseases or pruritus. Whereas other textbooks rely on readers to formulate differential diagnoses and explore them individually, this book uses the clinical signs of a patient as the starting point for diagnosis. It provides beautiful color photographs of gross lesions and photomicrographs and user-friendly diagnostic algorithms to help readers navigate and assimilate the information.
Another strength of this book is the focus on the importance of diagnostic testing. The second chapter provides a comprehensive discussion on the execution and interpretation of diagnostic tests for dermatologic conditions. Current treatments are also discussed, and the author heralds the usefulness of topical therapies and good antimicrobial stewardship. The diminutive size and reasonable price of the book make it perfect for use as a stall-side reference for ambulatory practitioners. The well-referenced chapters make this book an excellent introductory guide for interns and residents interested in equine dermatology. Overall, this book is a well-organized and highly relevant clinical guide to dermatologic diseases of horses. It will be an excellent addition to the reference library of any equine practitioner.
Reviewed by Julia Miller, DVM
Cornell University Ithaca, NY
Large Animal Internal Medicine (6th edition)
Bradford P. Smith, DVM, DACVIM; David C. Van Metre, DVM, DACVIM & Nicola Pusterla, DVM, PhD, DACVIM, DAVDC
1,873 pages. 2020. Mosby (an imprint of Elsevier). ISBN 978-0-323-55445-9. Price $249.00.
The sixth edition of Large Animal Internal Medicine is an updated version of one of the main references for equine and ruminant practitioners. The book is a complete guide to the medical diagnosis and treatment of large animals, including a review of important aspects of history collection, complete physical examination, problem-based discussion, and in-depth information of diseases organized by organ system. One useful aspect of this book is the incorporation of boxes within the text that provide a fairly complete list of potential causes of common problems, which helps readers use a problem-oriented approach to create a list of differential diagnoses. This version has been updated with expanded information on animal welfare, neonatal encephalopathy in foals, calf diarrhea, ultrasonography, and more. New additions include discussion on the impact of the microbiome and information on genetic tests. Additional focus is placed on antimicrobial stewardship, especially within the ruminant sections. The most exciting update in this edition is access to the e-book version. Within the e-book, readers can easily search for content on the basis of key words, access videos that demonstrate techniques and ultrasonographic findings, and view higher quality versions of images included within the print version. One flaw of the book is the lack of consistency in section organization. Also, the book is expensive; however, its price is comparable to other reference textbooks. Overall, this book will continue to be a core reference for large animal veterinarians.
Reviewed by Pamela R. Adkins, DVM, PhD, DACVIM
University of Missouri Columbia, Mo
Back of the Envelope Modelling of Infectious Disease Transmission Dynamics for Veterinary Students
Gary Smith, DPhil
493 pages. 2019. Cambridge Scholars Publishing. ISBN 978-1-5275-3537-4. Price $101.20.
Back of the Envelope Modelling of Infectious Disease Transmission Dynamics for Veterinary Students consists of 21 chapters. Although the title may suggest an ad hoc, quick method for evaluating or understanding disease transmission, the content delivers much more. The initial chapters introduce basic aspects of disease transmission modelling in conversational terms that appear designed to provide an intuitive understanding of the practicalities and mathematics of modelling disease transmission. Equations are used to illustrate the intuitive understanding, and readers are directed to the final chapter for derivations and proofs of the equations.
Subsequent chapters build on the foundation established to continue development of understanding, still with equations used to support concepts that are intuitively explained. Differences between epidemic and endemic models, methods to estimate parameters, and equilibria are discussed. A series of chapters focused on specific disease examples and development of specifics for different transmission routes, host heterogeneities, control strategies, and model validation follow.
The book does a good job of introducing disease transmission concepts with a minimum of necessary mathematics. Because most veterinary students have limited training in mathematics, this book will fill an important niche for interested students. The contents are likely a stretch for most veterinary students; however, those with motivation to understand disease transmission and students in masters-level epidemiology courses will benefit greatly from the contents presented in this book. It is also an excellent introduction to disease transmission modelling for those who wish to progress to more advanced methods.
Reviewed by Michael Sanderson, DVM, MS, DACVPM
Kansas State University Manhattan, Kan
Understanding Susceptibility Test Data as a Component of Antimicrobial Stewardship in Veterinary Settings (CLSI report Vet09)
Document Development Committee on Understanding AST Data in Veterinary Settings and the Subcommittee on Veterinary Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing
135 pages. 2019. Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. ISBN 978-1-68440-050-8. Price $50.00.
Veterinary practitioners are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of bacterial culture and susceptibility test (BC&ST) results for direction in developing antimicrobial treatment regimens. However, the ability to take full advantage of those results is occasionally hampered by a lack of understanding on how to interpret them and apply that information to clinical patients. The Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) has recently released a publication entitled Understanding Susceptibility Test Data as a Component of Antimicrobial Stewardship in Veterinary Settings that is intended to help veterinarians and microbiologists better understand and apply BC&ST results in clinical settings. For years, the CLSI has worked to ensure that BC&STs, which are in vitro methods, are as relevant as possible to in vivo settings so that the information can be reliably used to guide prudent antimicrobial use in diseased patients. This publication represents a robust consensus of experts on the use of BC&ST results to guide development of antimicrobial treatment regimens in veterinary patients. Most domestic species, as well as fish, are addressed in this publication. The beginning of each chapter consists of a bulleted list of topics covered along with highlighted important points. Chapters 1, 2, and 4 will be most useful for general practitioners. The introductory chapter (chapter 1) is important because it contains a glossary. Chapter 2 reminds readers that quality BC&ST procedures must be standardized so that the results can be applied to clinical patients. It includes a description of antimicrobial distribution in the body, the relationship between drug concentrations and efficacy (eg, the difference between time- and concentration-dependent drugs), and other points (eg, drug formulation and the effects of host and microbial factors) that must be considered when designing an antimicrobial treatment regimen. It also includes some helpful hints on how to avoid overinterpreting BC&ST data. Chapter 3 addresses BC&ST methods. Chapter 4 is particularly useful because it describes the information provided on most BC&ST reports and provides some pearls of wisdom as to what that information does and does not mean. The remaining chapters (chapters 5 through 10) provide information that is most likely to be useful for specialists who are familiar with the use of BC&ST results. These chapters discuss determination of breakpoints and factors that affect those calculations for each model drug in each major species, as well as the use of human breakpoints when necessary. References, including sources of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic information, are provided separately. This publication does not provide actual breakpoints, but it does have a well-organized set of appendices, which contains information about where breakpoints for specific species, tissues (when available), and drugs can be found in other CLSI publications. This publication will prove most useful for individuals involved in teaching appropriate antimicrobial use either in the classroom or a clinical setting and will be eye-opening for anyone who takes the time to study and apply its contents to veterinary patients.
Reviewed by Dawn M. Boothe, DVM, PhD
Auburn University Auburn, Ala
Zoo and Wild Mammal Formulary
Alicia Hahn, DVM, DACZM
424 pages. 2019. Wiley Blackwell. ISBN 978-1-119-51505-0. Price $149.99.
Zoo and Wild Mammal Formulary is a welcome addition for anyone engaged in the practice of zoological medicine. This book compiles valuable drug dosage and treatment information for a multitude of species into a single source. The book follows a format similar to James Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, which should make this new resource feel like a familiar friend for anyone engaged in exotic animal medicine. Chapters are categorized taxonomically and include sections on antimicrobial, antifungal, analgesic, anesthetic, antiparasitic, and other agents.
The book presents information from peer-reviewed literature to the extent possible, but also includes valuable information from proceedings, abstracts, personal communications with leading experts, and other sources. For these less rigorously reviewed sources of information, the text includes information on sample sizes and the capacity in which the drugs were used. These details aid readers in reaching their own conclusions regarding drug safety and efficacy. Some sections contain many references with low sample sizes, even for familiar zoo species and common drugs, but this reflects the relative paucity of peer-reviewed pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies in nondomestic species. The inclusion of these data in an easy-to-access source still provides great value.
The chapters are extensively referenced, and a comprehensive panel of reviewers with diverse taxonomic expertise contributed to the book. The book is expensive, but the value of having so much information compiled into a single source makes it well worth the investment. This book will undoubtedly become a must-have for any clinical zoo or wildlife veterinarian.
Reviewed by Michael J. Adkesson, DVM, DACZM, DECZM
Chicago Zoological Society Brookfield, Ill
Medical Management of Wildlife Species: A Guide for Practitioners
Sonia M. Hernandez, DVM, PhD, DACZM; Heather W. Barron, DVM, DABVP; Erica A. Miller, DVM; Roberto F. Aguilar, DVM, DECZM; & Michael J. Yabsley, PhD
482 pages. 2020. Wiley Blackwell. ISBN 978-1-119-03658-6. Price $159.99.
Medical Management of Wildlife Species: A Guide for Practitioners is an essential resource for wildlife veterinarians and rehabilitators who are beginning to build their reference libraries and a helpful complement for wildlife veterinarians who already have an array of resources. The chapters were written by respected experts in their fields. Most of the book is a very practical and easily accessible summary of medical management of North American wildlife (with occasional mentions of wildlife research and care performed outside the continent). The chapters are sorted by taxa and serve as targeted guides for veterinarians who seek more intensive reviews of the management of animals within those taxa. The chapters provide general information about species within a given taxa, including anatomic highlights, nutrition and diet (especially for neonates), husbandry, reproduction, handling and restraint, and anesthesia. Also discussed are common reasons animals are presented to veterinarians and rehabilitators, with a focus on common infectious diseases. Release criteria and indications for euthanasia are described. Although the focus of the book is medical management, it does contain some general recommendations for fracture management in bats and birds and management of shell fractures in chelonians. The book also provides several chapters that detail important information on specific issues, such as the legality of working with wildlife, zoonoses, and strategies for managing complex situations such as oil spills. There are 2 appendices. One provides a summary of clinical pathology data for the more common wildlife species encountered, and the other is a formulary. This is a practical book that will be useful for veterinarians who treat wildlife.
Reviewed by Susan Bartlett, DVM, DACZM
Wildlife Conservation Society Zoological Health Program Bronx, NY
Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery (3rd edition)
Stephen J. Divers, BVetMed, DZooMed, DACZM, DECZM, & Scott J. Stahl, DVM, DABVP
1,511 pages. 2019. Saunders (an imprint of Elsevier). ISBN 978-0-323-676618-0. Price $180.00.
The third edition of Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery intends to serve a wide audience and integrates many resources into a comprehensive, organized, easy-to-use textbook. This book includes important new and historical information about reptile and amphibian medicine that encompasses topics such as anatomy and physiology, husbandry, medicine, advanced diagnostic imaging, surgery, medical therapy, and many more. Given the diversity, depth, and organization of the content of this book, it will be equally valuable to reptile and amphibian specialists as it is to novices in the field. Particularly helpful are the Case Summary and Differential Diagnoses chapters that provide brief, easily accessible information about commonly encountered problems that are expanded in detail in the Medicine chapters.
Compared with the second edition, the inclusion of amphibian material in this edition makes it a more comprehensive herptile reference. Also, in this edition, some sections from the second edition have been expanded into several updated chapters, which provide more in-depth information, tables, and images. Some of these updated chapters are devoted to anatomy, husbandry, and diagnostic imaging of specific taxonomic orders; surgery for each organ system; therapeutics; and legal issues associated with the treatment of herptiles in various countries. The inclusion of sections on geriatric medicine, training, and conservation-ecosystem health makes this edition a valuable reference for advancing the care and welfare of herptiles and other wildlife globally. References to primary literature and personal communications are available online. Despite some redundancies throughout the text, the quality of the material, images, and new references makes this edition a fantastic resource on herptile care. This book is a valuable and fairly affordable reference for the library of any zoological medicine practice.
Reviewed by Julie D. Sheldon, DVM, MS
Illinois Zoological and Aquatic Animal Residency Program Chicago, Ill
Clinical Laboratory Animal Medicine: An Introduction (5th edition)
Lesley A. Colby, DVM, MS, DACLAM; Megan H. Nowland, DVM, DACLAM; & Lucy H. Kennedy, DVM, DACLAM
489 pages. 2020. Wiley Blackwell. ISBN 978-1-119-48956-6. Price $74.99.
When a book's title includes the words “An Introduction,” one often automatically assumes that it is not an extensive, all-encompassing tome where answers to almost every question can be found. But oh, what an introduction is provided in the fifth edition of Clinical Laboratory Animal Medicine: An Introduction!
The first 3 chapters provide neophyte students and seasoned private practice professionals with an introduction to laboratory animal medicine that includes ethical considerations, laws, regulations, guidelines, and policies governing the care and use of laboratory animals; principles of laboratory animal facility design; and housing and support equipment used in animal facilities. This introductory information will be beneficial to nonscientist and community members of institutional animal care and use committees, as well as animal science and preveterinary students, and veterinary technicians and veterinarians who provide part-time services at small biomedical and educational facilities.
Eleven chapters are devoted to species commonly used as laboratory animals, such as chinchillas, ferrets, gerbils, guinea pigs, hamsters, mice, nonhuman primates, rabbits, and rats. This edition has been expanded to include additional chapters on agricultural species used in research (ie, cattle, goats, pigs, and sheep). It also has a new chapter on zebrafish. Species-specific chapters include information on behavior, anatomic and physiologic features, husbandry, breeding and reproduction, handling and restraint, sample collection and drug administration techniques, anesthesia, surgery and postoperative care, and common disease conditions and applicable treatments. The comprehensive nature of the information presented will make this book useful for veterinarians who treat exotic animals and pocket pets as well as those who work in laboratory animal facilities.
Each chapter concludes with a review quiz, which is valuable for self-review or for use by instructors in animal science, preveterinary, and veterinary courses. The book has a companion website where individuals can access complementary slide presentations, additional images, and editable chapter review exercises and answers. I predict this book will be instrumental in training the next generation of laboratory animal scientists, veterinary technicians, and veterinarians.
Reviewed by David M. Moore, MS, DVM, DACLAM
Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine Blacksburg, Va
Front Office Management for the Veterinary Team (3rd edition)
Heather Prendergast, BS, AS, RVT, CVPM
396 pages. 2020. Saunders (an imprint of Elsevier). ISBN 978-0-323-57040-4. Price $80.95.
The third edition of Front Office Management for the Veterinary Team is filled with information beginning with descriptions of potential veterinary practice employee roles and progressing into management strategies for hospital leaders. The title is a bit deceiving because, although the book does indeed cover some aspects of front office management, it digresses to other topics. The book is divided into 2 sections. The first section focuses on veterinary team development, and the second focuses on veterinary operations.
The book touches on all aspects of managing a veterinary practice. The chapter on veterinarian technicians deviates from practice management into descriptions of diseases and testing protocols. The section on veterinary operations describes many duties that staff typically do not engage in, but the information might be of interest to readers who aspire to move into roles of office or practice management. The last chapter on calculations and conversions is a great reference for practice managers who use metrics for management decisions.
Some of the information presented is unclear and, on occasion, appears inaccurate. For example, the content of a text box highlighting employee benefits on page 113 implies that all practice employees will benefit from the listed benefits including professional liability insurance, which is necessary only for veterinarians. Additionally, on page 181, the topic of systems thinking was described as part of being a learning organization, which may be true, but systems thinking is much more complex and more difficult to teach and implement than the diagram and text suggest.
The book is not particularly reader-friendly. Many pages have several colored text boxes that contain information meant to supplement the text but instead interrupt its flow and adversely affects its readability. Additionally, chapter contents are often interrupted by the insertion of full-page forms and charts. Those forms and charts would have been better provided in an appendix or made available through a companion website. Despite the book's faults, it does contain information that will be useful for veterinary practice management novices or persons in management positions who are looking to expand their knowledge.
Reviewed by Donna Harris Kober, DVM, MBA
Michigan State University East Lansing, Mich
books for veterinary technicians
Veterinary Instruments and Equipment: A Pocket Guide (4th edition)
Teresa F. Sonsthagen, BS, LVT
898 pages. 2019. Mosby (an imprint of Elsevier). ISBN 978-0-323-51132-2. Price $55.95.
The fourth edition of Veterinary Instruments and Equipment: A Pocket Guide is an outstanding book that delivers on its intended purpose. Consisting of 2 sections, this pocket guide devotes the first 15 chapters to general medical instruments and restraint equipment. A wide array of tools is covered in these chapters, ranging from diagnostic instruments and small animal catheters to instruments used for pigs and sheep. The second section, comprised of 10 chapters, is devoted specifically to surgical instruments. All chapters describe the function and characteristics of each instrument or piece of equipment along with excellent-quality photographs. This edition has updated all photographs and provides suggestions for surgery pack setups such as those used for spays, neuters, and orthopedic procedures.
The formatting of the book is excellent in that it seamlessly allows readers to become familiar with instruments by both name and appearance. This feature is invaluable in both educational and clinical settings. The final perk in the book's construction is the use of a spiral binding. This allows the book to be used in a flash card fashion.
Although the advantages of this book in educational settings are inherently obvious, this book could also be useful in clinical settings. Veterinary clinics should consider maintaining a copy of this book in their reference libraries for assistants and other staff members to review when necessary. I congratulate the author for developing a quality versatile textbook that is appropriate for numerous veterinary settings.
Reviewed by Jody Rockett, DVM
College of Southern Idaho Twin Falls, Idaho
Laboratory Procedures for Veterinary Technicians (7th edition)
Margi Sirois, EdD, MS, RVT, CVT, LAT, VTES
424 pages. 2020. Mosby (an imprint of Elsevier). ISBN 978-0-323-59538-4. Price $84.95.
Laboratory Manual for Laboratory Procedures for Veterinary Technicians (7th edition)
Margi Sirois, EdD, MS, RVT, CVT, LAT, VTES
144 pages. 2020. Mosby (an imprint of Elsevier). ISBN 978-0-323-59540-7. Price $33.95.
The seventh edition of Laboratory Procedures for Veterinary Technicians is a thorough, complete guide for veterinary technicians on how to obtain and properly handle patient laboratory samples and perform basic diagnostic tests for hematologic, serologic, urologic, parasitological, cytologic, and microbiologic studies. Compared with the sixth edition, which was published 5 years ago, this edition is more pleasing in appearance with good use of color, contrast, and layout. Boxed charts, figures, and tables are easier to read, and the photomicrographs provided have higher resolution with more realistic color saturation, which is helpful for identification of cells and parasite ova. However, the content of this edition varies little from that of the sixth edition. The organization, and indeed most of the text, is unchanged in almost all sections, units, and chapters. Occasionally, some new tidbit of information has been added to select sections (eg, platelet morphology and antibiotic resistance). Sources listed for equipment and testing supplies have been updated. Likewise, new photographs are scattered throughout the text, but most photographs in this edition remain identical to those in the sixth except with improved resolution quality. Almost all figures, charts, tables, and technician notes have been transferred to the seventh edition verbatim. Information on emerging laboratory tests such as symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) testing for kidney disease is not provided. A few resources have been moved to appendices, including the review questions for each unit, which makes it easier to access them quickly.
The accompanying Laboratory Manual for Laboratory Procedures for Veterinary Technicians is more useful for veterinary technician students than for veterinary technicians in practice. It is loaded with exercises to introduce students to subject matter that ranges from use of a light microscope to cell identification. Along the way, crossword puzzles are provided as a fun way to help students grasp new terminology. The content of the laboratory manual will help reinforce newly gained knowledge and concepts for students but is too elementary for graduate veterinary technicians.
Overall, although the seventh edition of this book and its accompanying laboratory manual are fairly priced and loaded with useful information and helpful images that are nicely presented, it is not so different from the sixth edition to warrant recommendation of an upgrade. The laboratory manual will be helpful to veterinary technician students, but practicing veterinary technicians will likely find its content too basic. Nevertheless, I commend the author for developing these invaluable resources for veterinary technician curricula.
Reviewed by Brenda Reams Woodard, DVM
Northwestern State University of Louisiana Natchitoches, La
Clinical Procedures in Veterinary Nursing (4th edition)
Victoria Aspinall, BVSc, MRCVS
350 pages. 2019. Elsevier. ISBN 978-0-7020-7396-0. Price $55.95.
After reviewing the fourth edition of Clinical Procedures in Veterinary Nursing, I can say that I appreciate the layout of each chapter. The text is easy to follow, and the inclusion of step-by-step instructions and the rationale for specific procedures are beneficial for readers.
Some statements in the introduction are inaccurate. For example, on page 2, the first sentence of the second paragraph states, “Most animals brought into a veterinary practice are used to being handled and are unlikely to bite or scratch.…” In my opinion, many animals brought to veterinary practices are fearful and can be dangerous if not handled in an appropriate manner. There is also no discussion of fear-free handling. Given the increasing awareness and adoption of fear-free handling practices by veterinary clinics, it seems like the topic should have at least warranted a brief description in this book.
I encourage the author to review the description for each procedure before proceeding with the next edition of this book. The descriptions provided for many procedures lack important details. For example, in the description for applying a muzzle, no details are provided about where a technician should stand relative to the animal to safely accomplish the task. There is no description of how to tent the skin for SC injections. Moreover, information on how to perform IM injections is provided only for the quadriceps muscle; a description of how to perform IM injections in other muscles (eg, lumbar muscles) should be provided. Given that the intended audience for this book is students in veterinary nursing or technician training programs, it should be assumed that readers will be unfamiliar with the procedures described. Therefore, details regarding every step of the procedure, regardless of how minute, should be described to ensure that readers will be able to perform the procedure correctly.
Overall, with the provision of more detailed descriptions for each procedure, this book could be a great addition to veterinary technology program curricula.
Reviewed by Amy J. Staton, EdD, LVT
Morehead State University Morehead, Ky
Small Animal Dermatology for Technicians and Nurses
Kim Horne, AAS, CVT, VTS; Marcia Schwassmann, DVM, DACVD; & Dawn Logas, DVM, DACVD
176 pages. 2020. Wiley Blackwell. ISBN 978-0-470-95815-5. Price $69.99.
Small Animal Dermatology for Technicians and Nurses provides concise yet comprehensive information on everyday dermatologic problems found in small animal practice. It is organized in a manner that allows readers to easily follow each step of the diagnostic procedures needed to complete a thorough dermatologic workup. Unlike many other dermatologic textbooks that contain outdated and unclear photographs, this book contains photographs and illustrations that are clear, informative, and detailed. The ability to easily identify lesions and see where and how samples are obtained is illuminating.
The book is divided into 9 sections that cover topics such as diagnostics, skin and ear diseases, allergic skin diseases, and parasitic skin diseases. Each section briefly reviews a given disease and provides information regarding diagnostic testing, treatment, and client education for that disease before concluding with a list of references. This book also includes a brief discussion on the control of dermatologic infections in hospital settings, a topic that is often omitted from other textbooks. As a licensed veterinary technician, I enjoy the practical advice provided for the described topics and appreciate the tips and tricks that were clearly given from experienced veterinary professionals with a passion for dermatology.
Although this book is targeted for veterinary technicians and nurses, I think that it will be a useful resource for all veterinary staff.
Reviewed by Teryl Hall, AAS, LVT, VTS(ECCM)
Michigan State University East Lansing, Mich
Common Diseases of Companion Animals (4th edition)
Alleice Summers, DVM
588 pages. 2020. Mosby (an imprint of Elsevier). ISBN 978-0-323-59657-2. Price $74.95.
The fourth edition of Common Diseases of Companion Animals is a comprehensive book intended to serve as a textbook for students in veterinary technology programs and a reference for veterinary technicians working in general veterinary practices. The book contains brief synopses of common diseases of various companion animals such as dogs, cats, pocket pets, birds, reptiles, horses, and some farm animals. Each synopsis includes information about clinical signs, diagnosis, treatment, and client education; key points are highlighted in bulleted lists. Interspersed throughout the book are Tech Alerts, which highlight information that is particularly useful to technicians. Each chapter ends with review questions.
This is a concise, well-written, and well-illustrated book. Although there are occasional factual inaccuracies (eg, staging of periodontal disease on a scale from 1 to 3 or categorizing fipronil flea preventative products as systemic drugs), they are few and far between. Overall, this book is a reasonably priced comprehensive reference that will be beneficial to both veterinary technician students and veterinary technicians.
Reviewed by Michael T. Nappier, DVM, DABVP
Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine Blacksburg, Va
Large Animal Clinical Procedures for Veterinary Technicians (4th edition)
Kristin J. Holtgrew-Bohling, DVM, AAS, LVT, RLATG
711 pages. 2020. Mosby (an imprint of Elsevier). ISBN 978-0-323-56904-0. Price $65.56.
The fourth edition of Large Animal Clinical Procedures for Veterinary Technicians provides a comprehensive and well-organized overview of husbandry, restraint, and clinical procedures for all the major species of domestic large animals including horses, cattle, swine, small ruminants, camelids, and poultry. A major challenge in educating veterinary technicians arises from the fact that the students come from extremely diverse backgrounds, which may or may not include any formal exposure to horses and livestock of agricultural importance. This book covers an incredible array of topics, such as general livestock industry concepts, sanitation, large animal hospital management, and descriptions of medical, surgical, and diagnostic procedures commonly performed on all major species of domestic livestock. Each chapter begins with an outline of its content, a list of appropriate learning objectives, and a glossary of practical terms and abbreviations, which exposes students with limited large animal experience to basic agricultural animal jargon. The text is complemented by numerous appropriate photographs and illustrations that demonstrate restraint and clinical procedures for particular species and excellent tables that outline various treatment protocols. Each chapter also contains numerous Technician Notes to remind readers of important practical concepts. This book has the highest-quality photographs, illustrations, and visual aids I have seen in any veterinary technology textbook. In my opinion, this is the finest textbook I have ever reviewed for inclusion in a veterinary technician curriculum. It will be beneficial to all students regardless of whether they are seasoned equestrians, grew up on a livestock farm, or are being exposed to large animals for the first time.
Reviewed by Philip Edward Prater, DVM, DACT
Morehead State University Morehead, Ky
Mosby's Comprehensive Review for Veterinary Technicians (5th edition)
Monica M. Tighe, RVT, BA, & Marg Brown, RVT, BEd Ad Ed
769 pages. 2020. Mosby (an imprint of Elsevier). ISBN 978-0-323-59615-2. Price $44.95.
The fifth edition of Mosby's Comprehensive Review for Veterinary Technicians is a user-friendly resource for veterinary technicians preparing to take the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE). The book is thoughtfully laid out and contains accurate information. Illustrations such as charts, graphs, and photographs enhance and complement the text. This book provides a convenient way for technicians to review for the VTNE because all relevant topics are compiled into 1 book. The chapters for each subject are outlined with brief statements about the topics, processes, and tests discussed. Readers who desire in-depth coverage of particular topics will need to consult subject-specific textbooks. This book is intended to be a review of material to which readers have been previously exposed and should not be used for initial learning. Review questions are provided at the end of each chapter to help readers self-assess their understanding of the material presented. Also provided is a comprehensive examination that readers can use as a practice examination prior to taking the VTNE to help identify topics that may require additional review. The answers to all review questions and the comprehensive examination are provided at the end of the book. Overall, I feel that this book is fairly priced and is an excellent resource for veterinary technicians preparing to take the VTNE.
Reviewed by Renee Hensley, MS, LVT
MedQuest College Lexington, Ky
books for clients
Traveling with Service Animals By Air, Road, Rail, and Ship across North America
Henry Kisor & Christine Goodier
249 pages. 2019. University of Illinois Press. ISBN 978-0-252-08450-8. Price $19.95.
Traveling with Service Animals By Air, Road, Rail, and Ship across North America is a practical manual for handlers of service animals and people in the travel industry who encounter and work with these animals. In the preface to the book, the authors write that the number of trained service animals in the United States and Canada has exploded as people with disabilities continue to discover their usefulness. Increasingly more people are traveling with service animals, and with a few exceptions, US and Canadian laws permit service animals to go anywhere the general public is allowed. When traveling, service animals (as opposed to pets) typically fall into 1 of 2 categories: service animals and emotional support animals. The key difference between the 2 being that service animals are trained to perform specific functions to assist a person with a disability, whereas emotional support animals provide comfort to their handlers but are not formally trained to perform that task. The book is divided into 6 chapters that address the specifics of air, rail, road, and cruise ship travel with service animals and has several useful appendices that provide information and links to organizations that play a role in service animal travel and training, as well as to specific information on train routes, animal import regulations, and related topics. The authors provide practical anecdotes and share personal experiences of traveling with service dogs that put the recommendations they make into practice. Simple checklists for handlers round out what is a comprehensive, readable, and well-researched handbook for traveling with a service animal.
Reviewed by Oliver Knesl, BSc, MSc, BVSc
Zoetis Petcare Parsippany, NJ
Principles of Cattle Production (3rd edition)
Clive J. C. Phillips, BSc, MA, PhD
261 pages. 2018. CABI. ISBN 978-1-78639-270-1. Price $140.00.
Although the third edition of Principles of Cattle Production looks at cattle production from an international perspective, many of the topics discussed are applicable to farmers and veterinarians in the United States. The text is easy to read and written at a level that will be readily understood by undergraduate students and farmers. The classroom exercise on animal welfare, in particular, is a wonderful resource for teachers to stimulate a productive conversation on critical dilemmas encountered in real-life cattle production. The breadth of content makes this book a good introductory resource for educating clients and students about all aspects of cattle production.
Reviewed by Elizabeth Brock, DVM
Northwest Veterinary Associates Inc St Albans, Vt
