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

This book is Out of Print.

The book has 54 contributors, making it a diverse and thorough text on equine emergencies. It is a huge expansion from the second edition. This third edition has been completely reviewed and updated. Revisions and updates include biosecurity; bullfight injuries; cytology; dental emergencies; diarrheal diseases; emergency diseases in Australia, Middle East, New Zealand, and South America; foot emergencies; gastric ulcers; infectious and zoonotic diseases; laminitis; mules and donkeys; expanded/new appendices; expanded equine drug table; nutritional guidelines for injured, hospitalized, and post-surgical patients; pain management; pediatrics; orthopedic emergencies; and show horse emergencies.

The boxed inserts on WHAT NOT TO DO are a valuable aid in treatment of an emergency. The book has tabs to assist in finding specific sections, and the inside covers display emergency drug charts and resources for information on terrorist and emergency preparedness contacts.

This book is not just broken bones and traumatic injuries. It starts out with administration of pain medications and fluids, and the various ways of delivery. Not all of the chapters cover what I would consider to be emergency medicine techniques (biopsy, fungal cultures, etc.), although these are important to begin as early as possible for a speedy diagnosis.

Ultrasonography of the musculoskeletal system is discussed. There is some excellent illustration/explanation graphics included. Also covered in this chapter are impactions; large colon torsion; medical colic; gastric distension and delayed gastric emptying; verminous arteritis; abdominal abscess and peritonitis; and hemoperitoneum. High-risk pregnancies are also thoroughly discussed.

The table of contents below illustrates the chapters and sections. The placement of red-outlined WHAT NOT TO DO boxes throughout the text add a valuable aspect. There are also green-outlined boxes of WHAT TO DO text.

There are excellent black-and-white and color illustrations, photos, and drawings. There is an excellent section on toxic plants (color photos and geographic range in the USA). The chapter includes signs of ingestion or exposure.

The book is interesting reading, and I found myself engrossed in the content. I would recommend the book to anyone who has the possibility of taking an equine call.

Table of Contents

Part One: Emergency Medical and Surgical Principles and Procedures

Section I. General Diagnostic and Therapeutic Procedures

1. Blood Collection; 2. Medication Administration; 3. Intravenous Catheter Placement; 4. Intraosseous Infusion Technique; 5. Regional Perfusion; 6. Bacterial, Fungal, and Viral Infection Diagnoses; 7. Biopsy Techniques; 8. Endoscopy Techniques

Section II: Ultrasonography

9. General Principles, System and Organ Examination

Part Two: Organ System Examination, Neonatology, Shock, and Temperature-Related Problems

Section I. Organ System Examination and Related Diagnostic and Therapeutic Procedures

10. Cardiovascular System; 11. Gastrointestinal System; 12. Integumentary System; 13. Liver Failure and Hemolytic Anemia; 14. Blood Coagulation Disorders; 15. Musculoskeletal System; 16. Nervous System; 17. Ophthalmology; 18. Reproductive System; 19. Respiratory System; 20. Urinary System

Section II. Neonatology

21. Neonatology; 22. Perinatology/Monitoring the Pregnant Mare; 23. Foal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

Section III. Shock and Temperature-Related Problems

24. Shock and Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome; 25. Shock and Temperature-Related Problems

Part Three: Laboratory Tests

26. Emergency Measurement of Complete Blood Cell Count, Serum Chemistry Values, Blood Gases, and Body Fluids in Equine Practice; 27. Cytology

Part Four: Toxicology

28. Toxicology

Part Five: Management of Special Problems

29. Laminitis; 30. Disaster Medicine; 31. Pain Management; 32. Anesthesia for Field Emergencies and Euthanasia; 33. Nutritional Guidelines for the Injured, Hospitalized and Post Surgical Patient; 34. Emergency Diseases Seen in Europe; 35. Emergency Diseases Seen in Australia and New Zealand — NEW; 36. Emergency Diseases Seen in South America — NEW; 37. Emergency Diseases Seen in the Middle East — NEW; 38. Foot Emergencies — NEW; 39. Mules, Donkeys and Miniature Horses — NEW; 40. Infectious and Zoonotic Diseases — NEW; 41. Biosecurity – NEW; 42. Show and Racetrack Emergencies — NEW; 43. Bull Fight Injuries — NEW

Equine Emergency Drugs: Approximate Dosages, Adverse Drug Reaction

Part Six: Resource Information/Appendices

Appendix I: Reference Values; Appendix II: Age Related Changes in CBC and Chemistries; Appendix III: Calculations in Emergency Care; Appendix IV: Equivalents; Appendix V: Product Manufacturers; Appendix VI: Long Bone Physeal Fusion Times etc.; Appendix VII: Adverse Drug Reactions; Appendix VIII: Specific Drug Reactions and Recommended Treatments

Published by Elsevier (2008).

Softcover, 864 pages, 375 illus. Trim size: 7 1/4 X 10 1/4 in.

ISBN: 978-1-4160-3609-8.