VSPN Review by Michelle L. Miller, BS, CVT (Click on stars for an explanation)

This book is Out of Print.

Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 6th Edition, Volume 2, was published in 2005 and compiled by Drs. Ettinger and Feldman as a reference book for veterinarians in the field of internal medicine. The comprehensive book covers an overview of clinical manifestations and discusses specific disease processes broken down by bodily function.

Volume 2 begins with a look at the cardiovascular system and follows with ears, nose and throat diseases, the respiratory system, gastrointestinal diseases, the liver and pancreas, endocrine disorders, the reproductive system, the urinary system and concludes with hematology and immunology. All sections have sub-sections in the form of chapters that further evaluate challenges within these areas for the veterinary professional. As with other works by Drs. Ettinger and Feldman, the professionals chose to author these sections offer comprehensive and complete chapters, using algorithms, photos and well done tables to guide the professional to finding information in this veterinary reference book.

The cardiovascular system was very thoroughly covered and while they did not have as many algorithms as I have come to adore and respect, the chapters’ authors did an excellent job with graphs and figures, both in photographs and in diagnostic imaging. I would have liked to see the respiratory system section come next, as technicians are so familiar with this format/learning process in their textbooks.

I was particularly interested in Section 14: Gastrointestinal as this section was broken into subsections that covered the “head to tail” of the system as well as diseases or challenges to each of these areas. The author provided a thorough discussion of the function of the stomach and disease processes ranging from gastritis (with a helpful algorithm) to gastric dilatation and volvulus to cancers and everything in between. The graphics and photos were particularly helpful as in the case of the endoscopic photos of stomach ulceration with ibuprofen use in a dog followed by one week post treatment (page 1317).

I found this book to be an excellent book for technicians, both as a textbook and as a reference book. An example of its depth is found in Section 16: Endocrine Disorders. The topic is broad and complex and one not often well covered in veterinary technician education. This section gives strong information on the endocrine system and how faults in that system can lead to disease processes technicians may often see in their day-to-day work such as hypothyroid dogs and hyperthyroid cats. I was amazed at how much easier it was to learn from this chapter than it was from brief information presented within many veterinary technician medicine textbooks.

As with books of this magnitude, a great deal needs to be covered in a relatively short amount of time and space. The authors have assembled an excellent group of professionals that not only give this book an excellent reputation, but also serve a purpose in providing veterinary professionals with a reference book on individual body systems. This book also would come highly recommended for veterinary technicians as both a text book and a reference book.

See review for Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 6th Edition, Volume 1.

Published by Elsevier/Saunders: St. Louis, Missouri (2005).

Hardcover, 912 pages.

ISBN-13: 978-0-7216-0117-5.

(Editor's note: See also Guest review for Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Sixth Edition & E-dition.)