This is the first edition of this handbook. The author’s stated goal with this book is to offer a “pick up and get started” text for those quick reference needs in practice. The author’s intention was to offer concise disease condition reviews and rapid interpretation and problem solving of key clinical signs associated with these specific disease conditions in dogs and cats. The author is recognized by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgery as a specialist in Small Animal Medicine and also has attained advanced degrees in addition to his veterinary degree.

This handbook is organized into 5 separate sections. Part 1 - Basic Approaches allows for an overview of basic approaches (e.g., history, physical examination, etc.) and general health concerns (e.g., preventive nutrition). Part 2 – Clinical Presentation offers an algorithm of various clinical presentations which take us through presentation to diagnosis. Part 3 - Body Systems and Multisystemic Disease is the largest section briefly reviewing the examination, diagnosis, and treatment of body systems. Part 4 - Anesthetics, Analgesia, and Surgery succinctly reviews anesthetics, analgesia, and surgery. Part 5 – Critical Care returns to the algorithm to outline emergency care.

There is a brief section which offers the reader resources to further review various areas of veterinary medicine as well as a unit of measurement table. The book concludes with selected abbreviations as used throughout the handbook. This book is aimed globally at veterinarians, veterinary nurses/technicians, and would make a great resource for veterinary students.

The photos/ figures in each section are useful in helping to pinpoint certain signs, symptoms, or disease conditions. There are not an overabundance of photos/images – but rather added judiciously to enhance specific points. The algorithms are colorful and easy to follow.

Pocket Handbook of Small Animal Medicine appears to this reviewer to have hit the goal of offering a quick reference for veterinary healthcare teams. This pocket handbook was arranged and written in a concise and easy to follow format with images and algorithms reinforcing and enhancing the point of the author.

Publisher: CRC Press-Taylor FRrancls, 2012, Softcover over spiral binding 192 pages Manson 

ISBN: 9781840761740