Many esteemed authors contributed to make this text a nice broad spectrum review in the areas of anesthesia and analgesia. While this text does not delve too deeply into these topics, each chapter offers a nice overview and provides a good base of information. Although written and published in the UK, references are made and acknowledgements to US protocols and terminology are also readily used.
The text begins with the basics of anesthetic nursing with chapters such as the Role of the Veterinary Nurse and Physiology Relevant to Anesthesia. Chapters progress with titles such as Preoperative Assessment and Preparation of the Patient, Anesthetic Machines and Ventilators to Breathing Systems, and Airway Management. The next series of chapters go on to discuss Anesthetic Drugs, Analgesia, Intravenous Access and Fluid Therapy, Monitoring the Anesthetized Patient and Nursing the Patient in Recovery. A chapter is devoted to basic Cardiopulmonary Cerebral Resuscitation and Other Emergencies including a nice drug guide and chart. The remaining chapters cover Rabbits, Ferrets and Rodent Anesthesia; Avian Anesthesia; Reptile Anesthesia; and Large Animal Anesthesia.
I found this book to be well organized with chapters that are well written with helpful photos included. Although this text does not provide a lot of in depth detail in any one area, it would be especially helpful to the beginning veterinary technician student, while still providing some good information for the more seasoned professional. This text would likely be too basic for a veterinarian.
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell (2009).
ISBN: 978-1405-1-8673-5
(Editor's Note: See also the VIN Review for this book.)