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

This book is Out of Print.

This is one of those books that probably took stacks of notes to compile. It allows the veterinarian to integrate the clinical signs with laboratory findings and provides a systematic approach for integrating laboratory abnormalities.

Sections 1 through 8 explain the various tests and the significance of their results.

Sections 9 through 11 present flow charts that have a multifaceted approach. In Section 9, a laboratory abnormality is combined with other lab tests to suggest a diagnosis.

In Section 10, the lab tests are used to help rule out causes for a common clinical sign.

In Section 11, the lab tests are presented in flow sheet form to define certain pathologic conditions.

Section 12 presents lab profiles of many common diseases of dogs and cats.

Early on, the book has a section on How to Use This Book. This section explains how to cross reference findings to allow for apparent normal results or to answer your questions when an animal shows specific clinical signs. Even if you are experienced with clinical pathology, this book will help you become familiar with what common test results mean. The book will advise you on choosing a commercial laboratory or an in-house lab setup.

The sections are:

1. Serum Chemistry tests
2. Digestion Tests
3. Urine Tests
4. Red Blood Cells
5. White Blood Cells
6. Simple Coagulation Tests
7. Bone Marrow Tests
8. Serologic and Special Tests
9. Diagnosis by Laboratory Findings
10. Diagnosis by Clinical Signs
11. Dynamic Testing
12. Laboratory Profiles of Diseases

Headings within each section are easy to find and the flow charts are easy to follow. Interpretation of test results are clear and easy to follow. I imagine that this book could become the most-used book in the clinic if you have any sort of in-house system, or if you send out a fair amount of tissue or fluid for lab testing.

The book is notebook style, with a spiral binder so that it will lie flat for easy reference. Insist your staff apply clean hands and careful handling, as this book will see a lot of use and you will want it to last.

Mosby Publishers (2001 Imprint).

594 pages, with black-and-white illustrations, graphs, or flow charts on nearly every page.

ISBN: 0-323-00956-5.