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

You may purchase this book in the VIN store.

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	Part Two: Organ System Examination, Neonatology, Shock, and Temerature-Related	20. Urinary System	28. Toxicology	39. Mules, Donkeys and Miniature Horses — NEW
Section I. General Diagnostic and Therapeutic Procedures	Section I. Organ System Examination and Related Diagnostic and Therapeutic Procedures	Section II. Neonatology	Part Five: Management of Special Problems	40. Infectious and Zoonotic Diseases — NEW
1. Blood Collection	10. Cardiovascular System	21. Neonatology	29. Laminitis	41. Biosecurity – NEW
2. Medication Administration	11. Gastrointestinal System	22. Perinatology/Monitoring the Pregnant Mare Resuscitation	30. Disaster Medicine	42. Show and Racetrack Emergencies — NEW
3. Intravenous Catheter Placement	12. Integumentary System	23. Foal Cardiopulmonary	31. Pain Management	43. Bull Fight Injuries — NEW
4. Intraosseous Infusion Technique	13. Liver Failure and Hemolytic Anemia	Section III. Shock and Temperature-Related Problems	32. Anesthesia for Field Emergencies and Euthanasia	Equine Emergency Drugs: Appoximate Dosages, Adverse Drug Reaction
5. Regional Perfusion	14. Blood Coagulation Disorders	24. Shock and Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome	33. Nutritional Guidelines for the Injured, Hospitalized and Post Surgical Patient	Part Six: Resource Information/Appendices
6. Bacterial, Fungal, and Viral Infection Diagnoses	15. Musculoskeletal System	25. Shock and Temperature-Related Problems	34. Emergency Diseases Seen in Europe	Appendix I: Reference Values Appendix II:Age Related Changes in CBC and Chemistries
7. Biopsy Techniques	16. Nervous System	Part Three: Laboratory Tests	35. Emergency Diseases Seen in Australia and New Zealand — NEW	Appendix III: Calculations in Emergency Care Appendix IV: Equivalents
8. Endoscopy Techniques	17. Ophthalmology	26. Emergency Measurement of Complete Blood Cell Count, Serum Chemistry Values, Blood Gases, and Body Fluids in Equine Practice	36. Emergency Diseases Seen in South America — NEW	Appendix V: Product Manufacturers
Section II: Ultrasonography	18. Reproductive System	27. Cytology	37. Emergency Diseases Seen in the Middle East — NEW	Appendix VI:Long Bone Physeal Fusion Times etc. Appendix VII: : Adverse Drug Reactions
9. General Principles, System and Organ Examination	19. Respiratory System	Part Four Toxicology	38. Foot Emergencies — NEW	Appendix VIII: Specific Drug Reactions and Recommended Treatments

ISBN: 978-1-4160-3609-8. Softcover, 864 pages, 375 illus. Trim size: 7 1/4 X 10 1/4 in. Copyright 2008. $92.95.00US.