BOOKS FOR VETERINARIANS
Vaccines for Veterinarians
Ian R. Tizard, BVMS, PhD, DACVM, DSc
321 pages. 2020. Elsevier. ISBN 978-0-323-68299-2. Price $99.95.
Vaccines for Veterinarians is a timely and informative book that will be a useful reference for veterinarians and veterinary scientists. The organization of the chapters and the technical detail of the writing make this book very relevant for anyone involved in veterinary medicine.
The first several chapters provide a good and very interesting historical review of the development of vaccines and immunization procedures in veterinary medicine. The immunologic and infectious disease principles described form a good foundation for the subsequent sections of the book. The technical descriptions of those principles are clear and will be useful to anyone interested in veterinary vaccines. The technical reviews of different types of vaccines, vaccine formulations, components (eg, adjuvants), and delivery systems are well organized, which enhances the usefulness of this book as a primary reference.
The discussions of the clinical applications of vaccines and descriptions of vaccine protection and safety are particularly interesting and relevant. In particular, the description of canine distemper vaccines provides a good example of how the developmental history of a vaccine is related to current clinical standards of care. The book also contains information about species-specific and other special (eg, neoplastic diseases and immunity to parasites) considerations for vaccination. This information will be interesting and informative for veterinary clinicians, immunologists, and vaccinologists.
In short, this book chronicles the developmental research history of veterinary vaccinology and will be informative and useful for anyone involved in veterinary medicine.
Reviewed by David Scott McVey, DVM, PhD, DACVM
University of Nebraska Lincoln, Neb
Veterinary Cytology
Leslie C. Sharkey, DVM, PhD, DACVP; M. Judith Radin, DVM, PhD, DACVP; & Davis Seelig, DVM, PhD, DACVP
998 pages. 2021. Wiley Blackwell. ISBN 978-1-119-12570-9. Price $199.99.
The editors of Veterinary Cytology have brought together an impressive international group of contributors, and the product does not disappoint. This is a much-needed addition to the literature because it is an inclusive reference textbook for all species.
The text is engrossing and accessible owing to crisp editing, and the explanations are well supported with exemplary images. Accessibility is further enhanced by the thoughtful organization of sections. The first 2 sections focus on technique and include discussion of the expected fundamental topics, such as sample collection and staining, and a general approach to diagnostic cytology that will benefit those newer to the discipline. Also included are informative chapters that address the timely and important topics of quality assurance in cytology, concepts of evidence-based cytology, cytogenetics, and application and techniques of cell block preparation.
Reflecting the species from which samples are most commonly submitted for cytologic assessment and those in which the most knowledge has accumulated, the bulk of the book focuses on cytologic assessment of tissue, organ, and fluid samples obtained from dogs, cats, and horses. Those sections provide a robust, yet concise, review of the cytology literature, including relevant clinical perspectives that are supported by images, references, and summary tables. The book also has an expansive, well-organized section on cytologic evaluation of specimens from numerous nontraditional species, including a chapter dedicated to invertebrates. It concludes with an interesting and informative synopsis on the role and application of cytology in biomedical research and toxicity studies.
Overall, this book is a comprehensive, expansive, and reasonably priced resource that complements currently available cytology atlases. It presents in-depth clinical perspectives that are lacking in other textbooks. It also provides an evidence-based review for clinical pathologists and will be an excellent addition to the reading list for clinical pathology residents.
I expect that this book will become a valuable reference textbook for clinical specialists and their trainees as well as general practitioners (especially those in mixed-animal practice) and veterinary students. I am thrilled to add this book to my library.
Reviewed by Lisa M. Pohlman, DVM, MS, DACVP
Kansas State University Manhattan, Kan
Small Animal Diagnostic Ultrasound (4th edition)
John S. Mattoon, DVM, DACVR; Rance K. Sellon, DVM, PhD, DACVIM; & Clifford R. Berry, DVM, DACVR
704 pages. 2021. Saunders (an imprint of Elsevier). ISBN 978-0-323-53337-9. Price $170.00.
The fourth edition of Small Animal Diagnostic Ultrasound is a great resource for anyone looking for a comprehensive reference on both abdominal sonography and echocardiography. The accompanying online videos provide informative tutorials for basic scanning of organ systems and example scans of commonly encountered disease processes. These how-to guides are especially valuable for individuals who are just beginning to use ultrasound in clinical practice. Contributors to the book include numerous nonradiologists, who provide additional clinical perspectives and treatment options beyond simple ultrasonographic identification of various disease processes. A great strength of this book is the echocardiography section and accompanying echocardiography video tutorials. These are invaluable resources for practitioners who are not cardiologists. I found the echocardiography section of the third edition to be very helpful when studying for my radiology board-certification examination, and it has been improved in this edition. The text has been updated with the most recent pertinent literature. Many figures have been updated and added to offer clearer images. People often want book reviewers to make comparisons between the book being reviewed and other textbooks on the same topic. I find it difficult to recommend one book over another because textbooks are generally valuable resources and complement each other. This book is competitively priced when compared with other veterinary diagnostic imaging textbooks.
Reviewed by Scott L. Gregorich, DVM, MS, DACVR
Chicago, Ill
A Practical Approach to Neurology for the Small Animal Practitioner
Paul M Freeman, MA, VetMB, DECVN, EBVS, & Edward Ives, MA, VetMB, DECVN, EBVS
394 pages. 2020. Wiley Blackwell. ISBN 978-1-119-51458-9. Price $95.00.
A Practical Approach to Neurology for the Small Animal Practitioner is a good resource for veterinarians in general practice. Written by board-certified veterinary neurologists with experience in general practice and a knack for teaching, it is a great reference for patients with all sorts of neurologic signs. It offers a logical approach to neurologic examination, diagnostic testing, and differential diagnoses.
The authors have done a great job of simplifying complex subjects and making a topic that is often daunting to both veterinary students and practicing veterinarians more approachable. The figures are illustrative and practical, and the tips in each chapter summarize helpful and practical information for busy practitioners.
The companion website for the book would benefit from more organization and, ideally, a way to quickly access specific videos without having to scroll through all of them. I hope that will be addressed in subsequent updates or editions.
I recommend that all small animal practitioners have this book in their clinic library for reference when presented with patients with neurologic signs. It provides quick, concise, and vital information for making decisions about treatment and referral as well as a nice review of neuroanatomy and the scientific literature.
Reviewed by Stephanie Kube, DVM, DACVIM
Veterinary Neurology and Pain Management VIN Consultant Walpole, Mass
Veterinary Anaesthesia: Principles to Practice (2nd edition)
Alexandra H. A. Dugdale, MA, VetMB, PhD, DVA, DECVAA; Georgina Beaumont, BVSc, DECVAA; Carl Bradbook, BVSc, DECVAA; & Matthew Gurney, BVSc, DECVAA
680 pages. 2020. Wiley Blackwell. ISBN 978-1-119-24677-0. Price $65.00.
The second edition of Veterinary Anaesthesia: Principles to Practice is a useful reference for veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and students of veterinary science. It covers various topics relevant to the practice of veterinary anesthesia. This softcover book consists of 51 chapters, with most having a list of references for readers interested in further reading. Most chapters also have self-assessment questions at the end. The book has several useful appendices dedicated to emergency drug dosages, reasons for drug use, and routes for drug administration. The answers to the self-assessment questions are provided after the appendices. The contents of this book address anesthesia-related issues that arise in everyday practice. It also has numerous figures that depict concepts that are hard to mentally visualize, such as anatomic landmarks for regional nerve blocks. All the figures are published in black and white, but in my opinion, that does not detract from the information presented. The self-assessment questions provide a review of important concepts and will be helpful to veterinary students and anesthesia residents.
I am confident that this book will appeal to a variety of readers. It will be an excellent reference for anyone studying for the veterinary anesthesia board examination. Although I do not own the first edition, I highly recommend this edition and am pleased to have it in my reference library.
Reviewed by Dianna Ovbey, DVM, MS, DACVAA
Southeast Veterinary Anesthesia Services Charleston, SC
Atlas of Surgical Approaches to Soft Tissue and Oncologic Diseases in the Dog and Cat
Marije Risselada, DVM, PhD, DECVS, DACVS
279 pages. 2020. Wiley Blackwell. ISBN 978-1-119-37013-0. Price $124.99.
The Atlas of Surgical Approaches to Soft Tissue and Oncologic Diseases in the Dog and Cat provides welcome realistic illustrations of anatomic regions commonly approached for surgical interventions. The artistic shaded grayscale renderings depict lifelike images that convincingly represent actual surgical fields of view and are almost as good or better than photographs when it comes to clearly identifying pertinent anatomic structures. This atlas is well suited to novice and experienced surgeons and will be a particularly valuable resource for general practitioners who are faced with managing traumatic wounds and are comfortable performing elective surgical procedures. A strength of this atlas is the consistent inclusion and referencing of important anatomic structures (such as vessels, nerves, and muscles) unique to each surgical approach because knowledge of those structures is critical for surgeons to avoid potential intraoperative pitfalls. The rendered images are generally of normal anatomic structures and are predominately canine in nature, although due attention is provided to feline-specific anatomic variations. This atlas describes practical surgical anatomy and complements other surgical textbooks that focus on the nuances of surgical procedures and interventions. Of minor note to the editors, some renderings appear to be made from cadaveric images, and consistent inclusion of animals depicted as anesthetized and aseptically draped would enhance the surgical realism. Also, enhanced descriptions of vessels and nerves encountered in the hindquarter and perineal areas would be beneficial, but the current descriptions do not distract from the utility of the atlas. I particularly appreciated the breadth of included oromaxillofacial and cervical surgical approaches.
Reviewed by Deanna R. Worley, DVM, DACVS
Colorado State University Fort Collins, Colo
Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery (4th edition)
Katherine E. Quesenberry, DVM, MPH, DABVP; Connie J. Orcutt, DVM, DAVBP; Christoph Mans, Dr med vet, DACZM, DECZM; & James W. Carpenter, MS, DVM, DACZM
646 pages. 2020. Saunders (an imprint of Elsevier). ISBN 978-0-323-48435-0. Price $96.95.
The new fourth edition of the classic textbook Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery has been updated and extensively reorganized for 2021. This edition is accompanied by an enhanced digital version. The first edition was published in 1997. This edition includes chapters on 3 additional species: degus, prairie dogs, and skunks (although only skunks are highlighted on the cover). Even though the chapter dedicated to behavior has been omitted from this edition, there are brief discussions of behavior conveniently included within each species-specific chapter.
The sections on ferrets and rabbits contain multiple chapters that focus on medicine. Discussions about surgical and dental procedures have been moved to a separate section, which makes it much easier for readers to locate that information. A very minor stylistic inconsistency is that most, but not all, chapters have been renamed to emphasize that the conditions discussed therein are specifically restricted to ferrets or rabbits.
As in previous editions, the text is generously complemented with outstanding photographs, illustrations, and useful charts. A concise formulary is provided as an appendix.
In the preface, the senior editor Dr. Katherine Quesenberry notes that with the rapidly expanding knowledge of small mammal medicine, it is increasingly “difficult to capture and filter the relevant and timely information into one source.” Nevertheless, this edition continues to serve as an indispensable textbook on the subject for both students and experienced practitioners.
Reviewed by Edward R. Bennett, DVM
All Pet Animal Hospital Gibsonia, Pa
Handbook of Exotic Pet Medicine
Marie Kubiak, BVSc, DZooMed;
510 pages. 2021. Wiley Blackwell. ISBN 978-1-119-38994-1. Price $95.00.
The Handbook of Exotic Pet Medicine is a book designed for general veterinary practitioners who treat exotic pet species in a private practice or zoo setting. Each chapter is dedicated to a particular species, and a wide breadth of species are discussed, ranging from marmosets and gerbils to koi and several invertebrate species, such as giant African land snails.
Each chapter begins with a review of the husbandry requirements for a given species and a chart of common biologic variables. Subsequent chapter subsections describe manual restraint techniques, sex determination, sample collection, anesthesia, and recommended methods for euthanasia. Unlike for domestic species, this type of basic information can be challenging to find for lesser known exotic pet species and makes this book particularly useful for general practitioners who may have little to no experience with some of the described species. The text is complemented by multiple color photographs of clinical patients. It also includes brief descriptions of common medical and surgical conditions, preventative medicine protocols, normal radiographic anatomy, and an abbreviated formulary for each species.
Compared with other exotic pet medicine textbooks, this book discusses many less commonly treated species. Thus, it represents a substantial addition to the published literature in this field. Notably absent from this book are descriptions of several of the more popular exotic pets, such as rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs, and chinchillas; however, those species are covered in depth in other textbooks.
Overall, this handbook provides a well-organized overview of common techniques and diseases of uncommon species maintained as pets and in zoological institutions. I highly recommend this book for the reference library of any general practitioner who may treat these magnificent animals.
Reviewed by Olivia A. Petritz, DVM, DACZM
North Carolina State University Raleigh, NC
The Slaughter of Farmed Animals: Practical Ways of Enhancing Animal Welfare
Temple Grandin, PhD, & Michael Cockram, BVetMed, PhD
336 pages. 2020. CABI. ISBN 978-1-78924-057-3. Price $70.00.
The Slaughter of Farmed Animals: Practical Ways of Enhancing Animal Welfare is a great compilation of an extensive amount of practical and scientific information as it relates to animal welfare, slaughter, and meat quality written in an easy-to-read and understand format. This book can be used as a reference for anyone involved with the slaughter and handling of animals, including plant managers, workers, inspectors, veterinarians, and producers. It is written with a global perspective and care must be taken to apply the appropriate regulatory references for the area. Assessment of consciousness in all types of stunning practices is broken down by species with specific signs to monitor during the process. Physiology of the brain and how it relates to insensibility and unconsciousness is explained in detail that helps reinforce what animals experience during stunning. Religious slaughter practices and welfare during the slaughter process are addressed in a straightforward and practical manner. Stress and preslaughter handling are correlated to meat quality, and much of the book focuses on connecting information found at slaughter with possible welfare issues on the farm, in transit, or at the slaughter facility. Opposing sides of legislative issues are discussed as well as ethical beliefs associated with the raising and consumption of meat.
As a regulatory veterinarian of state-inspected facilities, I found this book to be an excellent reference for assessing animal welfare and humane handling during the slaughter process. It is important to remember that it is necessary to assess and investigate animals at slaughter that have indications of past or current welfare issues.
Reviewed by Erik Jopp, DVM
Minnesota Department of Agriculture Meat Inspection Program Supervisor Saint Paul, Minn
Mason's World Dictionary of Livestock Breeds, Types and Varieties (6th edition)
Valerie Porter
425 pages. 2020. CABI. ISBN 978-1-78924-153-2. Price $130.00.
The latest edition of Mason's World Dictionary of Livestock Breeds, Types and Varieties provides an accurate and comprehensive listing of livestock breeds found throughout the world. The book is organized into sections on the basis of species. This edition contains sections on asses, cattle, goats, horses, pigs, sheep, and water buffalo, which have been updated and expanded from those in the fifth edition, as well as new sections on camelids and yaks. The purpose of this book is to list the names and synonyms of formal livestock breeds and other less formally identifiable groups, types, and varieties of animals that have a common origin or are similar in appearance and to suggest names for those animals for use in the English language. Each breed entry provides, when possible, a brief description of the area or country of origin, use, breed characteristics, relationship with other breeds, other names or synonyms, and status as rare or extinct if applicable. It is important to note that this book is not meant to be an encyclopedia of breeds and does not provide detailed descriptions of breed characteristics. There are no photographs or illustrations. The entries often contain abbreviations, the definitions of which are listed at the beginning of the book. This book will be useful for students, animal scientists, livestock owners, breeders, and veterinarians who need an easy-to-use comprehensive reference for livestock breeds found throughout the world.
Reviewed by David Matsas, DVM, DACT
Tufts University Medford, Mass
Climate Change and Infectious Fish Diseases
Patrick T. K. Woo, BSc, PhD; Jo-Ann Leong, PhD, DVSc; & Kurt Buchmann, PhD, DVSc
512 pages. 2020. CABI. ISBN 978-1-789243277. Price $235.00.
Climate Change and Infectious Fish Diseases is particularly suitable for veterinary students, lecturers, biologists, and anybody wishing to learn facts from scientists about what is currently known regarding the occurrence of fish diseases under the perspective of global climatic change. This comprehensive book includes 25 chapters written by 50 competent contributors from around the world and is beautifully illustrated and organized so readers can quickly find information. The first section of the book examines the vulnerability of aquatic ecosystems to abiotic and biotic changes, especially those changes converging on the Great Lakes Basin and Southeast Asia. The following 22 chapters are dedicated to basic and advanced descriptions of infectious agents. Of particular note, chapter 6 provides an in-depth analysis of the high adaptability of Aquabirnaviruses to changing environments, and chapters 18, 19, and 20 examine the dynamics of relevant fish parasites under shifting biological conditions. Some chapters are densely written and merely focus on detailing phylogenetics or etiology, but that is most likely due to the current lack of scientific evidence to support a defined impact of climate change or global warming on the natural variability and virulence adaptations of fish pathogens. It is challenging to define relationships between environmental variations and altered susceptibility of aquatic wildlife to infectious pathogens. Indeed, many emerging etiologic agents and host-pathogen interactions are still being studied. This book facilitates understanding of the disease dynamics in aquaculture and fisheries, including important suggestions for future studies. The book is fairly priced and definitely worth the investment for anyone with an interest in the effect of climate change on fish diseases.
Reviewed by Bartolomeo Gorgoglione, DVM, PhD, CertAqV
Michigan State University East Lansing, Mich
BOOKS FOR VETERINARY TECHNICIANS
BSAVA Textbook of Veterinary Nursing (6th edition)
Barbara Cooper, LicIPD, DTM, RCVS, RVN; Elizabeth Mullineaux, BVM&S, DVM&S; & Lynn Turner, MA, VetMB
946 pages. 2020. British Small Animal Veterinary Association. ISBN 978-1-910-44339-2. Price $81.50.
The preface of the sixth edition of BSAVA Textbook of Veterinary Nursing states that it is “the perfect resource for veterinary nurse students undertaking or that have recently completed their Level 3 Diploma or Degree in Veterinary Nursing.” Although this book may not be quite perfect, it is an excellent resource that comes as close to perfect as any other veterinary nursing textbook I have seen. It is a comprehensive compilation that stands in an elite class with other ambitious texts such as McCurnin's Clinical Textbook for Veterinary Technicians.
The breadth of information presented is outstanding, although I was occasionally a bit disappointed with the lack of depth of the material. This was not necessarily unexpected. This textbook covers a full array of practical subjects, but it is not intended to delve into the details of the theory underlying those subjects. In most cases, adequate practice guidance is provided even in the absence of theoretical detail.
The book is published by the British Small Animal Veterinary Association, so for most US veterinarians and veterinary technicians, perhaps its greatest drawback is that the laws, rules, and regulations described are specific to the United Kingdom and do not necessary reflect those of the United States. Although there are many similarities, US veterinary professionals who use this book will need to remain cognizant that local laws and regulations may vary, sometimes substantially, from those described in the book.
Overall, this book is an excellent resource for any veterinary nurse or technician. It presents a wide range of practical information in a clear, concise format. It is easy to use and an excellent value.
Reviewed by Peggy Villanueva, DVM, MPH
VCA Eagle Park Animal Hospital Zionsville, Ind
Small Animal Clinical Techniques (3rd edition)
Susan M. Taylor, DVM, DACVIM
309 pages. 2021. Saunders (an imprint of Elsevier). ISBN 978-0-323-68027-1. Price $75.00.
Small Animal Clinical Techniques is designed to be used as “a resource for teaching veterinary students and veterinary technology students, as well as an aid to practicing veterinarians attempting these techniques for the first time.” It covers a wide range of clinical tasks from simple and common, such as venous blood collection, to more complex tasks such as CSF collection.
For each procedure, the purpose, indications, contraindications or special concerns, relevant anatomic landmarks, necessary equipment, and technique are concisely described. The section on the required equipment for each procedure is specific and includes a photograph of the equipment. Anatomic descriptions are simple and clear with illustrations or photographs provided to complement the text. The description of each technique is presented in a stepwise manner with clearly labeled photographs or illustrations relevant to each step. The images provided in the book are of excellent quality and in many cases include examples of the normal as well as the abnormal.
The table of contents groups the techniques into 18 sections on the basis of body system, which makes finding descriptions for specific techniques easy. The index appears thorough and includes clinical signs, anatomic references, techniques, diseases, diagnostic tests, and equipment.
This edition includes all of the techniques described in previous editions with some modifications. It also includes a new chapter dedicated to techniques for performing a complete physical examination and new sections on cardiac examination, ECGs, and interpretation of arterial blood gas results.
Overall, this book is a high-quality resource that meets its stated objectives and is a good value for the price. It provides small animal practitioners a concise, handy reference for unfamiliar techniques as well as clear, stepwise instructions for students.
Reviewed by Jim Hoffmann, DVM, DABVP
Westside Veterinary Clinic Searcy, Ark
Small Animal Dental Procedures for Veterinary Technicians and Nurses (2nd edition)
Jeanne R. Perrone, MS, CVT, VTS
254 pages. 2021. Wiley Blackwell. ISBN 978-1-119-45183-9. Price $69.99.
As an educator of veterinary technician students in the field of veterinary dentistry, I found the second edition of Small Animal Dental Procedures for Veterinary Technicians and Nurses to be a useful book that is both accurate and easy to read. I see myself using this book while teaching my students and my students using this book as a resource and tool to enhance their learning during hands-on laboratories.
Although this book will also be useful for veterinarians, its best feature is that it was written to provide various task-related details that are specifically inclusive of veterinary technicians and nurses and emphasizes how they can use their skills at every step. This book contains details of every facet of veterinary dentistry that is pertinent to veterinary technicians and nurses, from the oral examination to the client interview and communication, dental operatory (including how to ensure patient and personnel safety), comprehensive cleaning, conditions and treatments specific to exotics and cats, and complete client communication at discharge. The flow, chapter and section headings, and overall organization of the text are top-notch and make the book easy to read. I highly recommend this textbook for any veterinary professional (including veterinary and veterinary technician students) who wants to enhance their knowledge regarding the standard of care in veterinary dentistry.
Reviewed by Kelly Vearil, VTAS, RVT, VTS
University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, Ohio
Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care for Veterinary Technicians (4th edition)
Andrea M. Battaglia, LVT, & Andrea M. Steele, MSc, RVT, VTS(ECC)
420 pages. 2021. Saunders (an imprint of Elsevier). ISBN 978-0-323-67312-9. Price $69.30.
As a self-professed life-long nerd who thrives on learning, I jumped at the chance to get a new textbook in return for writing a review. That being said, I do not collect textbooks simply for the sake of decorating my bookshelf; I want them to be useful and readily usable.
I own the second edition of Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care for Veterinary Technicians, and I used it quite extensively while studying for the Veterinary Technician Specialist Emergency and Critical Care (VTS[ECC]) certification examination. Compared with the second edition, the new fourth edition has some obvious changes and additions that I definitely consider improvements. The fourth edition has a chapter dedicated to communication, which is an immensely important skill in veterinary practice and is a topic that is not addressed or not well covered in most veterinary technician and veterinary curriculums. This edition also has a chapter on physical rehabilitation. That is a treatment modality that can immensely benefit many critical care patients, so to have an entire chapter dedicated to how physical rehabilitation can enhance nursing care of critically ill or injured patients is fantastic!
The book is well laid out and illustrated. It is definitely a book that any veterinary technician interested in the field of emergency and critical care medicine or who is pursuing the VTS(ECC) certification should add to their learning arsenal. I am currently a training mentor, and I am delighted to add this book to my growing office library for use as I teach and mentor the next generation of veterinary technicians.
Reviewed by Karen Roach, RVT, VTS
Mount Laurel Animal Hospital Lawrenceville, NJ
Applied Pharmacology for Veterinary Technicians (6th edition)
Lisa A. Martini-Johnson, DVM, CVT
532 pages. 2021. Saunders (an imprint of Elsevier). ISBN 978-0-323-68068-4. Price $81.65.
The opening chapters of the sixth edition of Applied Pharmacology for Veterinary Technicians provide an overview of the basics of pharmacology, routes and techniques of drug administration, and dose calculations. These chapters nicely cover the material to the extent that veterinary technicians should be able to master and do not bog readers down with content that is not clinically relevant or beyond the scope of the veterinary technician's role.
The next chapters of the book cover pharmacological agents used to treat common disorders of each organ system. Each chapter provides a brief and relevant overview of the anatomy and physiology of the system being discussed. Drugs are grouped by the conditions that they treat. The clinical uses, formulations, doses, and adverse effects are provided for each drug. The final chapters cover anti-infectives, drugs used in emergency situations, analgesics, anti-inflammatories, and drugs not linked to a specific organ system. The format is consistent throughout the book, which provides structure for readers and emphasizes what veterinary technicians really need to know about each drug.
Case scenarios are presented throughout most chapters and highlight topics for discussion or critical thinking. Ample review questions are provided at the end of each chapter to help solidify readers' grasp of the material. Overall, this book does a very good job of providing concise relevant information in a format that doesn't overwhelm readers.
Reviewed by Randy Ackman, DVM, MS
Kirkwood Community College Cedar Rapids, Iowa
BOOKS FOR CLIENTS
Understanding the Dairy Cow (3rd edition)
John Webster, MA, Vet MB, PhD, DVM
258 pages. 2020. Wiley Blackwell. ISBN 978-1-119-55022-8. Price $120.00.
Much has changed in the dairy industry since the first edition of Understanding the Dairy Cow was published in 1987. In the new third edition, the author not only addresses the individual cow, but also the environmental and animal welfare issues currently facing the dairy industry. The primary objective of the book is to tell the story of dairy cows, how they function and have been genetically bred, and how they have adapted to changing farm environments. It is not intended to be a primer on dairy farm management.
The book is divided into 3 sections. The first section pertains to the physiology of digestion, metabolism, reproduction, and lactation of cows. The next section focuses on husbandry practices in relation to the physiology, behavior, and welfare of individual animals. The final section addresses cows, people, and the environment.
The book was written from a perspective of the dairy industry in the United Kingdom, which differs from the US dairy industry in some ways. For example, the discussion on periparturient hypocalcemia does not advocate manipulation of the dietary cationanion difference or potassium content of the ration to mitigate that metabolic disorder, whereas such manipulations are common in the US dairy industry.
The book lacks references, which is unfortunate because they would have been beneficial for readers interested in further or more in-depth information on the subject. This book is not inexpensive. Nevertheless, for veterinary and animal science students, it may be a useful resource for reviewing dairy cow physiology and understanding how cows function within their environment.
Reviewed by Scott Poock, DVM
University of Missouri Extension Columbia, Mo
Solving Equine Behaviour Problems: An Equitation Science Approach
Rose M. Scofield, MRes, BSc
144 pages. 2020. CABI. ISBN 978-1-789244878. Price $40.00.
Solving Equine Behaviour Problems: An Equitation Science Approach is a comprehensive, yet succinct, overview of problem behaviors of horses, evaluated from the view of horsemanship. The content is presented from the author's perspective and area of interest. The information is essential for horse owners and trainers, and the title of the book correctly summarizes the content and suggests the intended audience. Veterinarians will likely find the information of interest from a nonmedical perspective.
The book is divided into 4 chapters consisting of an overview of equitation science, horse handling, groundwork and foundation training, and ridden work. The initial chapter delves quite deeply into the published literature on learning theory as it applies to horses, specifically how it pertains to the art of riding, handling, and other aspects of equitation science. The remaining chapters include an overview of the given topic and discussion of how specific problem behaviors can be managed. The author clearly explains both positive and negative aspects of different behavior modification approaches and tools. Although the reasons particular methods should rarely be used are clearly explained, less-discerning readers may interpret that those methods may be used more frequently than they should.
The text is complemented by ample illustrations and color photographs. In general, the author does a good job of distinguishing the scientific basis of behavior from anecdotal reports; however, some seminal published references have been omitted. Overall, this book will be most valuable for horse owners and trainers, but it provides a summary of equitation science that is important for veterinarians to understand.
Reviewed by Melissa Bain, DVM, DACVB, MS, DACAW
University of California-Davis Davis, Calif
