Veterinary Medicine

ANNOTATION

The book contains black-and-white illustrations.

FROM THE CRITICS

Doody Review Services

Reviewer: Victor E. O. Valli, DVM, PhD (University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine)Description: This ninth edtiion of a book covering diseases of large animals is divided into two sections. The first section covers general medicine and has 14 chapters on the body organ systems. The second section covers special medicine and is composed of 20 chapters dealing with specific diseases including infections caused by bacteria, viruses and parasites, deficiencies, poisonings, allergic disorders, as well as inherited diseases and conditions of uncertain etiology. Purpose: The stated purpose is to serve the needs of veterinary students and graduate veterinarians working in the field of large animal medicine. The book has international authorship and content. Included are diseases exotic to North America, as well as their scientific and local names. These worthy objectives and the large readership over the 40 years of publication, is a strong indication that the book fulfills a definite need. The 9th edition constitutes a full review and revision that meet the authors' objectives with an authoritative text on diseases of domestic ruminants, swine, and horses. Audience: Like previous editions, this one is virtually required reading for students of veterinary medicine, teachers, large animal practitioners, and laboratory diagnosticians. The text is well written, easy to read and follows a uniform format for all sections that makes continued use of the book more efficient with progressive familiarity. The authors are world-recognized authorities in their areas. Features: All sections are written in a positive and authoritative manner and the book is generally well referenced. The quality of the text is a legacy to Dr. D. C. Blood and the major authors (his former students). New additions in this edition include: the interpretation of laboratory results, a formulary of drugs commonly used in large animal practice; and how to use the book starting with clinical signs, identifying the system involved with the location and type of lesion, leading to a determination of the specific cause of the disease. Also, samples to be collected at necropsy for the confirmation of diagnosis. For various conditions, a pattern of etiology, epidemiology, pathogenesis, treatment and control of specific diseases is followed. With the change of food animal medicine from primarily treatment of individual animals to large flock health maintenance, there is increased emphasis on epidemiology of diseases and to those with zoonotic potential. Throughout the book, key phrases are in bold type. The book is well done and generally free of typographical and spelling errors. In terms of general quality, the book is encyclopedic and all critiques tend to be positive. In the section on diseases of blood and blood-forming organs, the author correctly notes that since horses do not release reticulocytes, it is difficult to measure their response to anemia. It might be added that this can accurately and effectively be done by measuring an upward shift in the mean red cell volume. Assessment: In terms of overall quality, this text has no peer in organization, presentation, and authoritative discussion. Another book in the same area is Smith's Large Animal Internal Medicine, 2nd edition (Mosby, 1996), with more than a hundred contributors.

RATING

5 Stars! from Doody

ACCREDITATION