BOOKS FOR VETERINARIANS
Biosecurity in Animal Production and Veterinary Medicine: From Principles to Practice
Jeroen Dewulf, DVM, PhD, DECVPH & Filip Van Immerseel, PhD
523 pages. 2020. CABI. ISBN 978-1-7892-4568-4. Price $80.00.
As a result of COVID-19, the world has become immersed with opinions on biosecurity, some fact-based and most apocryphal. Biosecurity in Animal Production and Veterinary Medicine: From Principles to Practice is a cogent, comprehensive, and understandable textbook suitable for animal science and veterinary students, livestock production managers, consultants, practicing veterinarians (regardless of specialty), and others involved in the prevention and transmission of diseases among and between animals and humans. The book begins with a discussion of general biosecurity principles; moves through the specifics of ensuring quality assurance, developing biosecurity plans, documenting control points, and addressing actions for implementation of biosecurity measures; and ends with specific biosecurity recommendations for various types of production units and facilities including laboratories and veterinary clinics. I found the chapter on motivating people to implement biosecurity measures particularly intriguing. The psychology of biosecurity is as important as the science of biosecurity. This book does not include a chapter on basic epidemiological measures. That information can be found elsewhere, but the inclusion of details on the basics of incidence, prevalence, rates, and ratios would have made this book an all-encompassing basic primer on biosecurity. In my opinion, this book will be a fairly ageless resource for the reference library of anyone involved in animal production and veterinary medicine.
Reviewed by Charlie Stoltenow, DVM, DACVPM
North Dakota State University Extension Fargo, ND
Canine Lameness
Felix Duerr, Dr Med Vet, MS, DACVS, DECVS, DACVSMR
413 pages. 2020. Wiley Blackwell. ISBN 978-1-119-47402-9. Price $124.99.
Canine Lameness is an excellent resource for all veterinary health professionals. The author's goal is to provide clinically relevant information to facilitate diagnosis of lameness in dogs. Treatment and management of conditions that cause lameness are not discussed because those topics were beyond the goal and scope of the book.
The book is divided into 2 sections, with the first focusing on lameness evaluation and the second describing the most common causes of lameness. It also has an immensely valuable companion website with numerous videos to further demonstrate the concepts, techniques, and clinical presentations described in the text.
The first section on lameness evaluation begins with a brief overview of normal gait in dogs, followed by a rich description of various abnormalities that can be observed during gait analysis. It contains a complete review of a lameness examination, including detailed descriptions of orthopedic, neurologic, myofascial, and rehabilitation evaluations. The first section concludes with a review of all clinically applicable diagnostic techniques commonly used for lameness examinations.
The second section provides a thorough overview of the causes of lameness in dogs and is organized by anatomic location. Orthopedic, neurologic, and neoplastic causes are described in great depth. For each cause discussed, the common signalment, history, and physical examination and diagnostic findings are clearly explained and illustrated.
Overall, the text is succinctly comprehensive, logically organized, well written, and easy to follow and use. This book augments the limited resources currently devoted to describing the causes of lameness in dogs and will be an excellent addition to the reference library of any small animal veterinary hospital.
Reviewed by Brittany Jean Carr Benson, DVM, DACVSMR, CCRT
The Animal Hospital at Liberty Highway and Canine Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Service Anderson, SC
Clinical Small Animal Internal Medicine: Volumes 1 & 2
David Bruyette, DVM, DACVIM
828 pages (Volume 1) & 1,644 pages (Volume 2). 2020. Wiley Blackwell. ISBN 978-1-118-49706-7. Price $249.99.
Clinical Small Animal Internal Medicine is a comprehensive 2-volume textbook directed toward small animal practitioners and veterinary students. This 2-volume set is organized largely by body system and contains chapters written by an extensive list of well-respected internal medicine experts from both academia and private practice.
Each chapter begins with a review of the etiology and pathophysiology of a specific disease state commonly seen in practice to provide readers with a solid foundational understanding of the topic and then provides clinically relevant information for diagnosis and management of the condition. Although the content is generally exhaustive, it lacks a section dedicated to immune-mediated conditions. Those topics are referred to in other sections, but they deserve greater focus. Aside from the classic internal medicine topics, the content also discusses critical care, neurology, oncology, and cardiology and other information that will be useful to small animal practitioners.
Purchasers of this book can access accompanying podcasts and online content that will be updated on a quarterly basis to reflect the constantly evolving field of veterinary internal medicine.
Overall, this is an up-to-date reference that focuses on foundational knowledge and covers the most common diseases seen in clinical small animal practice. It will be a solid addition to the reference library of any practice.
Reviewed by Jennifer Adler, MSc, VMD, DACVIM
BluePearl Specialty + Emergency Pet Hospitals Langhorne, Pa
Basic Monitoring in Canine and Feline Emergency Patients
Elizabeth J. Thomovsky, DVM, MS, DACVECC; Paula A. Johnson, DVM, DACVECC; & Aimee C. Brooks, DVM, MS, DACVECC
215 pages. 2020. CABI. ISBN 978-1-78924-299-7. Price $70.00.
Basic Monitoring in Canine and Feline Emergency Patients is a book intended to provide veterinary students with a single “repository of information” for questions commonly posed within a clinical educational environment. The authors have created a solid, concise, and very accessible reference.
The book focuses on key topics of patient monitoring as they pertain to the foundational clinical assessment of emergent or critically ill or injured animals. It does not contain comprehensive details for the diagnosis of disease in and treatment of such animals because that information was beyond the scope of the book. The book consists of 10 chapters regarding the clinical assessment of small animal patients and provides information on important topics that range from blood pressure monitoring, capnography, and pulse oximetry to patient-side hematology assessments (eg, blood gas analysis and coagulation evaluation) and focal ultrasonographic imaging. Each chapter begins with a review of pertinent physiology followed by an explanation of the proper use and limitations of a particular monitoring device or method. Each chapter concludes with case examples that highlight the information presented. Although the content of some chapters is quite dense, the format and length of the chapters are generally well suited for either comprehensive reading and review or quick reference on a specific topic (eg, potential sources of error when obtaining pulse oximetry readings). The many tables and figures enhance the value and readability of the book.
Although the stated primary intended audience for the book is veterinary students, the authors have successfully created an exceptional clinical reference that will likely be used by general practitioners, residents, veterinary technicians (especially those seeking advanced training or specialty certification), and others in veterinary academic and teaching environments.
Reviewed by Amy J. Alwood, DVM, DACVECC
Critical Care Specialist Springfield, Mass
BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Gastroenterology (3rd edition)
Edward J. Hall, MA, VetMB, PhD, DECVIM; David A. Williams, MA, VetMB, PhD, DACVIM, DECVIM; & Aarti Kathrani, BVetMed, PhD, DACVIM, DACVN
287 pages. 2020. British Small Animal Veterinary Association & Wiley Blackwell. ISBN 978-1-905319-96-1. Price $120.00 USD.
Veterinary gastroenterology can be a daunting subject. Just look at differential diagnoses lists for vomiting, diarrhea, and anorexia, and almost every disorder is represented. Finding and following an organized clinical approach to gastrointestinal ailments is equally challenging for both general practitioners and specialists. Thankfully, the third edition of the BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Gastroenterology tackles this task in a thoughtful and concise manner. The book has sections devoted to overviews of diagnostic procedures and techniques, common clinical signs, patient management, and specific diseases organized by system or organ. Each chapter provides a succinct digest of the topic at hand, can be read quickly in preparation for a case or between appointments as a refresher, and often contains appropriate flowcharts or summary boxes to help with decision-making. The photographs and diagrams include a selection of clinical, diagnostic imaging, endoscopic, and histopathologic images that are of excellent quality and help illustrate major findings and elaborate on or reinforce important points. The purpose of this manual is to provide readers with a brief overview of gastroenterology by incorporating information from the published literature to facilitate understanding of this ever-growing field. It is not intended to be a detailed textbook. Each chapter ends with a robust list of references and websites to help direct readers who wish to delve into the primary literature and expand their knowledge when time is available. In my opinion, this manual will be a beneficial reference for recent veterinary graduates and experienced clinicians alike and should be kept within close reach for use in busy clinic settings.
Reviewed by Dennis J. Slade, DVM, DACVIM
Animal Medical Center New York, NY
Gastrointestinal Surgical Techniques in Small Animals
Eric Monnet, DVM, PhD, DACVS, DECVS & Daniel D. Smeak, DVM, DACVS
337 pages. 2020. Wiley Blackwell. ISBN 978-1-119-36920-2. Price $149.99.
Gastrointestinal Surgical Techniques in Small Animals is a new textbook that is intended to be a current and comprehensive reference for veterinary practitioners, surgery residents, and surgeons. The authors provide descriptions and illustrations of current surgical techniques for the entire gastrointestinal system with a strong emphasis on their preferred methods. The content focuses largely on surgical techniques and tips with little information about anatomy, diagnostic methods, pathophysiology, or evidence-based data. Each chapter includes a short section on postoperative complications. Some chapters briefly cover obscure techniques that are rarely used in practice.
Most of the illustrations are helpful, although some are unclear and might be confusing for less experienced practitioners. The description for each illustration is embedded in the text and is often not on the same page as the illustration. The illustrations are generally not annotated, and without direct labeling, it is sometimes difficult to understand and follow what the authors are trying to illustrate.
In my opinion, this book is not a comprehensive reference on small animal gastrointestinal surgery. Although it contains good information, the content could have been organized in a more user-friendly manner. Additionally, most information presented in this book is available in other surgery textbooks; however, it is nice to have a single volume dedicated to gastrointestinal surgery. Surgery residents may find parts of this book confusing and lacking sufficient background details. General practitioners may prefer a more cookbook-like approach for quick reference. Experienced soft tissue surgeons will appreciate the information but likely already have their own preferred techniques.
Reviewed by Bradley R. Coolman, DVM, MS, DACVS
Northeast Indiana Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Hospital Fort Wayne, Ind
Feline Diagnostic Imaging
Merrilee Holland, DVM, MS, DACVR & Judith Hudson, DVM, PhD, DACVR
634 pages. 2020. Wiley Blackwell. ISBN 978-1-118-84094-8. Price $169.99.
Feline Diagnostic Imaging was created by 2 knowledgeable and experienced veterinary radiologists and is the most comprehensive compilation of diagnostic images of cats that I have seen. Although the book is well organized and easy to use, it is not a quick go-to reference but rather an in-depth, detailed evaluation of diagnostic imaging for cats from head to tail. It describes all types of imaging modalities (ie, radiography, CT, and MRI with and without contrast; other special imaging studies; and diagnostic and therapeutic nuclear imaging). The content expands on many disease processes that are unique to cats and discusses which imaging modalities should be considered for each situation.
This book is a must-read for veterinary radiology residents, feline practitioners, and all veterinarians who routinely examine cats. Other books may contain more in-depth information about the physics and underlying principles of imaging modalities, but this book is well organized and referenced so readers can access more information when necessary.
The diagnostic images are of high quality, and readers can clearly see the areas of interest and abnormalities described, which is sometimes difficult when images are transposed onto flat paper from their original format. This book is an excellent value for the price, and I highly recommend it for anyone with an interest in diagnostic imaging of cats.
Reviewed by Rachel Schochet, DVM, MS DACVR
5B Imaging Hailey, Idaho
Nutrition of the Rabbit (3rd edition)
Carlos de Blas, PhD & Julian Wiseman, PhD
359 pages. 2020. CABI. ISBN 978-1-78924-127-3. Price $160.00.
The third edition of Nutrition of the Rabbit is an excellent, comprehensive, and well-written update to the second edition. This edition includes new and updated information on many topics written by international experts in various fields related to rabbit nutrition. Some of the new chapters include the feeding behavior of European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) both in the wild and in production, updated information on the function and importance of gastrointestinal microbiota, and new information on the development of the immune response. Other chapters have been rewritten and updated to include the most recent research and understanding of nutrition and strategies for feeding rabbits under various circumstances. I consider this book essential for veterinarians involved in rabbit meat or fur production. It also contains a wealth of information for veterinarians who care for companion rabbits. As a practitioner with a special interest in companion rabbits for the last 44 years and having read the previous editions, I found this edition to contain enough new information to warrant its addition to my library. In particular, the chapters entitled Pet Rabbit Feeding and Nutrition, Nutrition and Climatic Environment, Feeding Behavior of Rabbits, Feed Evaluation, and The Digestive System of the Rabbit, as well as the chapters on digestion of various diet components such as sugars, starch, protein, fat, and fiber, contain a plethora of well-established and new information. I highly recommend that any veterinarian who provides care for either commercial or companion rabbits add this book to their reference library.
Reviewed by Susan A. Brown, DVM
Rosehaven Exotic Animal Veterinary Services Batavia, Ill
Hand-Rearing Birds (2nd edition)
Rebecca S. Duerr, DVM, MPVM, PhD & Laurie J. Gage, DVM, DACZM
794 pages. 2020. Wiley Blackwell. ISBN 978-1-119-16775-4. Price $139.99.
The second edition of Hand-Rearing Birds is an impressive update that is a must-have resource for anyone who is in the position of raising young birds. The book consists of 50 chapters that cover a breadth of bird species from sparrows to flamingos. Each chapter contains essential species-specific information, such as incubation parameters, commonly used diets, feeding schedules, and developmental landmarks. Common medical problems and solutions unique to each species are also provided.
This book is a source of in-depth information on how to raise most birds found in zoos, wildlife facilities, and private collections. Although much of the discussion focuses on common bird species, that information can likely be extrapolated to more rare and endangered species.
This edition contains 12 new chapters, each one devoted to bird species not covered in the first edition. It has also been updated with color photographs and other revisions.
The text, although extensive, is a pleasure to read. It contains many useful tips and tricks for working with each unique species. This book is the ultimate resource for anyone looking for a comprehensive yet practical guide to raising many of the world's wonderful feathered creatures.
Reviewed by Jessica Magnotti, DVM
VCA University Veterinary Clinic Fairfax, Va
BOOKS FOR VETERINARY TECHNICIANS
Elsevier's Veterinary Assisting Textbook (3rd edition)
Margi Sirois, EdD, MS, RVT, CVT, LAT, VTES
483 pages. 2020. Mosby (an imprint of Elsevier). ISBN 978-0-323-68145-2. Price $105.00.
Elsevier's Veterinary Assisting Textbook Workbook (3rd edition)
Margi Sirois, EdD, MS, RVT, CVT, LAT, VTES
152 pages. 2020. Mosby (an imprint of Elsevier). ISBN 978-0-323-68163-6. Price $39.95.
The third edition of Elsevier's Veterinary Assisting Textbook does an excellent job of covering the relevant topics faced and skills required by veterinary assistants in the course of a typical day of work. The first chapters describe the different staff roles in a veterinary clinical setting and emphasize the importance of the veterinary medicine team. Workplace safety is extensively covered in the initial chapter.
The next chapters are well organized and cover office procedures, practice management software, inventory, veterinary medical terminology, and record keeping. In particular, the chapter on office procedures and client relations provides readers with valuable information on how to navigate the complex soft skills necessary for dealing with clients. Critical topics, such as animal behavior and restraint, are also covered in great detail.
The textbook then presents information about basic anatomy and physiology and an introduction to pharmacology. The chapters on pharmacology introduce readers to the various classes of drugs and basic mathematical calculations commonly used in veterinary practice. The textbook also addresses surgical nursing, laboratory skills, diagnostic imaging, and large animal and exotic nursing and care to the extent that veterinary assistants should be knowledgeable. The images in the textbook greatly enhance the material and provide readers with plenty of visual content.
In short, this textbook will be a great learning tool for veterinary assistant students. The content encompasses multiple topics and the wide range of skills that veterinary assistants must master. It will also be a terrific reference for novice veterinary assistants new to the workforce.
The textbook has an accompanying workbook, which can be used as a training tool in the workplace. It also contains tremendous formative learning opportunities for veterinary assistant students in an academic setting.
Reviewed by Randy Ackman, DVM, MS
Kirkwood Community College Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Tasks for the Veterinary Assistant (4th edition)
Teresa Sonsthagen, BS, LVT
342 pages. 2020. Wiley Blackwell. ISBN 978-1-119-46682-6. Price $69.99.
When assessing a textbook for veterinary assistants, it is important to consider the language and terminology. Many high schools now offer National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA)–certified veterinary assisting programs. I appreciate that the author provides detailed definitions for veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and veterinary assistants. It is important to distinguish these roles and understand the job responsibilities of each. The NAVTA guidelines listed at the beginning of each chapter will aid both students and instructors in locating information about essential skills. Each chapter also has sections entitled Information Check and Reflection and Stop and Think, which help readers use their critical thinking skills to fully understand the content.
The book has a few areas that I believe would benefit from more details and descriptions. The section on behavior is too broad and needs more details and visual aids for the information to be fully appreciated. Animal handling and restraint are important aspects of the job for veterinary assistants. It is crucial that veterinary assistants be able to properly assess patient body language and demeanor so they can safely handle and restrain noncompliant animals. Also, the section on injection sites would have benefited from more detail, particularly in regard to anatomic terminology and positioning of the needle.
Overall, this book will be a good resource for students in veterinary assistant programs. With a few minor additions, future editions of this book could also be a great resource for NAVTA-certified veterinary technology programs.
Reviewed by Amy J. Staton, EdD, LVT
Morehead State University Morehead, Ky
