This textbook was written with the novice to veterinary medicine in mind. It covers a broad range of topics in a quick and concise outline format. The text does not delve deeply into specifics on any one topic, but offers a good basic overview for a very wide variety of information.
The text is divided into three sections: Animal Science and Genetics, Health and Husbandry, and Nursing Procedures. The section on husbandry includes basic information for many species including birds, reptiles and fish. The chapter for handling animals is accompanied by many photos showing the proper technique for handling and restraining not only dogs and cats, but small mammals as one would expect to encounter in a veterinary setting. The beginning of each chapter contains a Summary paragraph with the learning outcomes clearly stated. Many drawings and photos are included with each chapter.
Since this textbook is written in the UK, readers in the US will have to take into account that some of the Animal Welfare Legislation and the Animal Welfare Organizations discussed in the Animal Welfare Chapter (6) may be different. I also noted in the Basic Nutrition Chapter (14) under dietary supplements a photo of various treats and chews that are considered appropriate to include hard marrow bones. While not all, but most likely many (this reviewer included) would consider these inappropriate, this might not be the case in the UK.
Overall this is a well written, easy to use and understand textbook for the individual beginning studies as a veterinary assistant. It would be too simplistic for the veterinary technician student and very much so for the veterinarian.
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell, 2014
ISBN: 9781118276068