Review by Kathy Lyon (Click on stars for an explanation)

You may purchase this book on Amazon.com.

This revision of the 1992 edition was necessary because of the updated medical findings in reptiles, improved treatment modalities, and a steady increase in the number of people keeping reptiles as pets. When some of the senior exotic veterinarians began lending their skills to reptile medicine, surgical possibilities increased dramatically. Also, there have been many more scientific papers on the use of noninvasive imaging, surgery, and anesthesia.

Part one focuses on husbandry, such as captive maintenance and nutrition (a greatly needed education for reptile owners).

Part two contains relevant veterinary procedures. New chapters on ultrasonography are included.

Part three is a study of the organ systems and associated disorders. Infectious disease and parasitology are also included.

One will notice, while reading through the text, that the use of common names is utilized much more than was done formerly. An appendix of common names and scientific names provides a cross-reference.

The book is filled with excellent color photos, including a variety of surgical procedures. Some of the photos are quite dark, which I have noticed in other books by BSAVA. Gloves are shown in all of the surgical photos, but I would have liked to have seen gloved hands handling the sick animals and those undergoing nonsurgical, but invasive, procedures.

Reading through each section, the topics are well covered and in logical sequence. Many of the more recent techniques are illustrated, which should help both the experienced exotic clinician and the student. The cytology photos are very good and well explained. The chapter on neoplasia is short, but exceptionally well done and includes a chart on species, tumor, therapy, etc. Also notable is the chapter on cardiovascular and haematopoietic systems.

Many novel techniques are illustrated and explained, as reptiles have an entirely different set of rules for treatment and care. The chapter on the gastrointestinal system is an education -- not only for the physiology, but also because of the step-by-step primer on possibilities and diagnoses. Dermatology is well illustrated and covered. As it is a major cause of presentation for reptiles, the variety of conditions presented are important.

The section on surgery is excellent and well illustrated. The information on anesthesia, analgesia, and recovery is important. There chapter on surgical principles and techniques lists necessary equipment for reptile surgery, but I would have liked more information on makers/manufacturers. The chapter on nutrition has an excellent chart of the common food items and their nutritional values, as well as charts and material on nutritional needs of a variety of reptiles. There is an excellent chart of the environmental needs of the various reptiles commonly kept in captivity.

All in all, it is very well put together and illustrated. As with most of the BSAVA books, one finds little pearls of information scattered throughout the text. There are a variety of charts, tables, and forms that would be useful in practice. Many handling techniques are illustrated without fanfare.

Blackwell Publishing (2004).

ISBN: 978-0-905214-75-7.