3. small Anim. Prac. (1976) 17, 711-712. Book Review A Manual of the Care and Treatment of Children’s and Exotic Pets Edited by A. F. Cowie and published by the British Small Animal Veterinary Association, 7 Mansfield Street, London W l M OAT. Hard backed, loose leaf, pp. 118. Members, E4.00; Non-members, E4.50; post & packing, 75p. The pattern of veterinary practice is constantly changing, the major change in the last two decades being the growth of small animal practice. Over half practising veterinary surgeons’ time is now spent treating pet animals, an increasing number of which are cage birds, rabbits, guinea-pigs, hamsters and reptiles. The formal education most practitioners received does not now equate with all the work they are called on to do; there is a shortfall of knowledge. To help solve this problem the BSAVA have published A Manual of the Care and Treatment of Children’s and Exotic Pets. It is not a definite work for the expert-their needs are already adequately met but it is very definitely intended for the average practitioner, like the reviewer, who is not particularly comfortable when asked to treat exotic and children’s pets. Not the least interesting fact about this book is that it was produced entirely because one member was sufficiently interested to write to the Chairman of Publications Committee to suggest the need for it. The Editor, A. F. Cowie, has enlisted the help of nine authors. The Manual comprises sections on birds, reptiles, fish, primates, rabbits, mice and rats, guinea-pigs, hamsters, gerbils. The authors have been chosen for their particular species interest and expertise. All of them have kept closely to a terse, informative style, refreshingly free from padding. Each section includes basic information on biology, diet, housing, and an- aesthesia together with vital facts and figures like gestation periods, onset of puberty, etc. Disease is generally dealt with symptomatically, an approach which is eminently suitable for species in which precise clinical examination is generally difficult. Simple therapy is detailed, together with modes of administration of drugs. All sections have suggestions for further reading. From time to time the personality of individual authors breaks through the constraints of the factual style of this type of book. In the section on tortoises we 71 1

A Manual of the Care and Treatment of Children's and Exotic Pets, Edited by A. F. Cowie

Download PDF Report

Upload
ian-hughes
View
212
Download
0

Embed Size (px)

Citation preview

Page 1: A Manual of the Care and Treatment of Children's and Exotic Pets, Edited by A. F. Cowie

3. small Anim. Prac. (1976) 17, 711-712.

Book Review

A Manual of the Care and Treatment of Children’s and Exotic Pets Edited by A. F. Cowie and published by the British Small Animal Veterinary Association, 7 Mansfield Street, London W l M OAT. Hard backed, loose leaf, pp. 118. Members, E4.00; Non-members, E4.50; post & packing, 75p.

The pattern of veterinary practice is constantly changing, the major change in the last two decades being the growth of small animal practice. Over half practising veterinary surgeons’ time is now spent treating pet animals, an increasing number of which are cage birds, rabbits, guinea-pigs, hamsters and reptiles.

The formal education most practitioners received does not now equate with all the work they are called on to do; there is a shortfall of knowledge. To help solve this problem the BSAVA have published A Manual of the Care and Treatment of Children’s and Exotic Pets. It is not a definite work for the expert-their needs are already adequately met but it is very definitely intended for the average practitioner, like the reviewer, who is not particularly comfortable when asked to treat exotic and children’s pets. Not the least interesting fact about this book is that it was produced entirely because one member was sufficiently interested to write to the Chairman of Publications Committee to suggest the need for it.

The Editor, A. F. Cowie, has enlisted the help of nine authors. The Manual comprises sections on birds, reptiles, fish, primates, rabbits, mice and rats, guinea-pigs, hamsters, gerbils.

The authors have been chosen for their particular species interest and expertise. All of them have kept closely to a terse, informative style, refreshingly free from padding.

Each section includes basic information on biology, diet, housing, and an- aesthesia together with vital facts and figures like gestation periods, onset of puberty, etc.

Disease is generally dealt with symptomatically, an approach which is eminently suitable for species in which precise clinical examination is generally difficult. Simple therapy is detailed, together with modes of administration of drugs. All sections have suggestions for further reading.

From time to time the personality of individual authors breaks through the constraints of the factual style of this type of book. In the section on tortoises we

71 1

Page 2: A Manual of the Care and Treatment of Children's and Exotic Pets, Edited by A. F. Cowie

712 B O O K REVIEWS

read that the shell is a horrid barrier, making it impossible to palpate anything except those extremities which the reptile is willing to expose. We learn, in block capitals, that an apparently dead hamster should be disturbed and warmed before disposal. James Herriot would have produced a chapter from this.

Mr Cowie and his collaborators have produced a splendid book and deserve unreserved congratulations. I t should be a source of satisfaction to them that their hard work and efforts will undoubtedly result in a higher stardard of care and treatment for species which have hitherto been somewhat forgotten.

IAN HUGHES