This text is geared towards veterinary technicians and the knowledge they need to provide care for a patient that has been exposed to toxins. It is one of only a few texts currently available addressing toxicology in the small animals – a population which is familiar to anyone working as a clinical veterinary technician.
The text is divided into three sections, with the first section covering the fundamentals of toxicology. This section includes chapters that cover basic principles, taking a history, decontamination, antidotes, handling of samples for testing, and management of emergencies. The second section provides a systems-affected approach. Several systems are covered in exclusive chapters devoted to the subjects of the nervous, cardiac, pulmonary, hepatobiliary, and urinary systems, while other systems such as the alimentary, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, integumentary, and hematopoietic systems are covered in a single chapter. The third section discusses specific toxins and includes chapters covering rodenticides, insecticides, pesticides, supplements, plants, Mycotoxins, zootoxins, illicit drugs, over-the-counter medications, prescription medications, and household toxins. As expected with any toxicology text, these chapters include information on kinetics, mechanism of action, toxicity, diagnosis, management, and prognosis.
There are several appendices included that provide information on medications (including indication and dose), additional toxic plants (divided into sections based on the system they affect), and perhaps the most useful, a list of plants not reported to be toxic. There are supplementary materials available on the website (password required and provided in the text). These consist of downloadable copies of the figures found in the text and the end of chapter questions. While there is no additional information in the supplemental materials, they can be useful for quizzing the support staff or can be downloaded into a PowerPoint presentation. For this reason, veterinary technician educators will find this supplemental material extremely useful in the planning and execution of lessons.
Veterinary technicians play a large role in the treatment of animals exposed to toxins. From initial contact with the owner to care of the pet once it reaches the hospital. This text provides the veterinary technician with essential information that will allow them to provide the best care possible for both the patient and the owner. This would be a valuable, much used text in any veterinary clinic both as a teaching aid for veterinarians seeking to continually educate their staff as well as veterinary technicians striving to understand small animal toxicology in order to function more readily within their clinical situation.
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell (2011)
336 pages, soft cover
ISBN-10: 081381538X ; ISBN-13: 978-0813815381