First published in 1955 this classic, easy to follow, user friendly manual has been updated to include new chapters addressing complementary and alternative medicine as well as including color photos for the first time. Many chapters have been rewritten and revised to keep up with continually emerging new information. To keep pace with the increasing popularity of “pocket pets,” the section on exotics, birds, fish, reptiles and rodents has been greatly expanded with new information. The text is easy to read and finding specific information is very easy. There is a detailed index at the back of the book as well as handy tabs notched into the edge of the book breaking down chapters by body system or topic. The table of contents at the beginning of each tabbed section is further described by disease or subject. There is a brief, but useful guide for readers that will help one to navigate the manual. The Merck Manual contains information on many species including dogs, cats, a variety of large/farm animals as well as the previous mentioned “pocket pets” and lab animals all presented in a complete, yet concise manner.
Many veterinarians and researchers have contributed information regarding diseases and disorders from the basic topics such as flea allergy dermatitis to the more unusual topic (in this reviewer’s experience) such as sex reversal in chickens. This is a useful text that should be on the hospital shelves within easy access both for veterinary practitioners needing a quick refresher on certain subjects, as well as veterinary technicians for use as a general study guide. It is also an excellent reference manual for veterinary technician students in need of a source of information when conducting research into various veterinary medical topics.
Publisher: Wiley and Sons
3000 pages; hard cover
ISBN 9780911910933