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

This book is Out of Print.

The pet bird population is significant and constant. Even though imports are no longer allowed on the once-massive scale of the 1970s, the number of birds bred in captivity continues to supply the demand for companion birds.

The authors, Schmidt, Reavill, and Phalen, are among the top avian veterinarians in the country; seeing them together in this book means that it is a first-rate publication.

This book offers a comprehensive review of gross and histologic features of diseases of pet birds. Veterinarians wishing to learn about bird diseases will find this book not only takes them through some the basics of diagnoses, but will rapidly lead them to a higher level of expertise than expected.

Unlike some books, where authors contribute chapters based on their expertise, these authors have combined their knowledge to co-write the entire book, melding it into a single, all inclusive look at the various topics.

Well illustrated with microscopic and electronmicroscopic images, as well as photographs, this book will give the reader an opportunity to compare findings with cases at hand. The book is separated by body system, also aiding in diagnostics.

Veterinarians wishing to develop their avian skills will want to have this book handy. Diseases of the pet bird differ greatly from those of poultry and wild birds. Most of the best continuing education on birds is presently available only at AAV Conferences; this book contains much of that material, thus making it available to more of the veterinary community.

Primarily a book for pathologists, it is an excellent reference for the practicing avian veterinarian, pathology trainees, students, and research veterinarians. It should be on the shelf of every veterinarian who treats birds.

Blackwell Publishing (2003).

 Hard cover, 320 pages, liberally illustrated.

ISBN-10: 0-8138-0502-3.

ISBN-13: 9780813805023.