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

You may purchase this book on Amazon.com.

Veterinary Parasitology Reference Manual, Fifth Edition provides easy access to pertinent information on parasite life cycles, importance, location in host, zoonotic potential, current literature, diagnosis, and treatment.  Chapters are organized by animal host species, including laboratory animals, humans, llamas, ratites, dogs, cats, ruminants, horses, pigs, birds, reptiles, wildlife, and marine animals (These last three are often missing from veterinary parasitology textbooks, but are of interest to veterinarians). The manual includes step-by-step instructions for the most common diagnostic procedures used in routine veterinary practice.

Features of this edition include: updated and enhanced references; information on new drugs; the improved marine mammal parasites section; sections on laboratory animal parasites and human parasites; and over 500 photos and figures.

Foreyt underscores the strong relationship between parasites and the overall health of animals and stresses that indiscriminate use of drugs is a poor substitute for good management and nutrition in controlling parasites. The text also offers insights into the evolving relationships between hosts and parasites.

The book is spiral-bound for easy, no-hands reading. The illustrations are excellent, clear, and greatly enhance the text. Microscopic photos of the parasites accompany the drawings. The edges of the book contain a silhouette of the animal being discussed on that page, making location of species easy. An index of parasites of wildlife lists species and the important parasites that infest them. Overall, this is an excellent reference to have in the clinic library

Blackwell Publishing (2002).

Paper cover, 244 pages.

ISBN: 9780813824192.

Reviewed 3/14/2002.