Guest Review by Ned Gentz, MS, DVM, DACZM, Albuquerque Biological Park, Albuquerque (Click on stars for an explanation)

This book is Out of Print.

The title of this newly published book is somewhat misleading. It is indeed the third edition of Dr. Campbell's Avian Hematology and Cytology text, but the exotic animal part is brand new. The first two editions were useful, but a little on the thin side. The first edition (1988) was only 101 pages, while the nearly identical second edition (1995) was only 104 pages. The addition of the new material has transformed the original editions from somewhat useful to very handy indeed.

The avian section remains very similar to previous editions, although with many updated references. The new sections include the hematology of fish, amphibians, reptiles, and small mammals (including rabbits, rodents, and ferrets). The cytology section is divided by organ system (i.e., body cavity, alimentary tract, respiratory tract, skin, etc.).

The book's strongest point is perhaps its abundant color microphotographs of various blood cell types from all of the above mentioned species. An appendix covering the various stains used to prepare blood and cytologic samples is very useful, as are the charts of normal hematologic parameters from a variety of species.

I recommend this book to any veterinarian who sees birds, reptiles, rabbits, rodents, and ferrets. For veterinarians who don't currently work with nontraditional pets, but are considering it, this is the sort of book that could help one getting started working with these interesting and challenging species.

Special Features:

• Newly revised information on avian hematology
• Expanded coverage, including key exotic animal groups
• Entire comparative cytology section
• Hundreds of full-color images
• Case studies and color plates to aid the reader

Contents:

• Introduction
• Chapter 1 - Hematology of Birds
• Chapter 2 - Hematology of Reptiles
• Chapter 3 - Hematology of Amphibians
• Chapter 4 - Hematology of Fish
• Chapter 5 - Hematology of Small Mammals (Ferrets, Rabbits, Rodents, Guinea pigs, Chinchillas)
• Chapter 6 - Comparative Cytology
  • Basic Veterinary Cytotechnology
  • Abdominal/Coelomic Effusions
  • Cytology of the Alimentary Tract
  • Cytology of the Respiratory Tract
  • Cytology of the Skin and Subcutis
  • Cytology of the Conjunctiva and Cornea
  • Cytology of Synovial Fluid
  • Cytology of Lymphoid Tissue and Internal Organs
  • Common Artifacts
• Chapter 7 - Diagnostic Microscopy Using Wet Mount Preparations
• Appendix A: Stains and Solutions Used in Hematology and Cytology
• Appendix B: Hematologic Values
• References

Blackwell Publishing, Ames, IA (2007).

Hard cover, 285 pages, color illustrations.

ISBN-13: 978-0-8138-1811-5.