Diagnostic Techniques in Equine Medicine (1997); by FGR Taylor and MH Hillyer; publ ished by W.B. Saunders; 6"X9"; 356 pages; US$89.

A good book on clinical pathology of the horse has been needed for some time. As the authors write in the pref- ace, "Despite the many excellent clini- cal texts that are now available, few seem to explain in sufficiently precise terms which clinicopathological tests are appropriate and how particular tech- niques are performed." Here is one, not only covering clinical pathology but other aspects of diagnostic techniques as well. The authors are lecturers at the University of Bristol, U.K. with years of experience in diagnostic technique in equine medicine. Not just a clinical pathology "cookbook," this book pro- vides practical information to help the equine practitioner narrow down a list of differentials and, hopefully, confirm a diagnosis. Clear step-by-step descrip- tions are illustrated with photographs and line drawings, resulting in a unique reference for the practitioner or student.

The bulk of the chapters cover di- agnostic techniques by organ systems, or type of disease, with a beginning chapter on submission of samples and interpretation of results, and a final two chapters on post-mortem investigations. The authors have included a special chapter on investigation of sudden and unexpected death.

An example of the broad perspec- tive the authors bring to each chapter is provided here, from the chapter on Fluid, electrolyte and acid-base balance: "In the text that follows it is necessary to

consider fluid, electrolyte and acid-base balance separately, but the clinician must never lose sight of their mutual interde- pendence. There is a dynamic relation- ship between these parameters; a change in one will induce changes in the others. Because of this, the assessment of changes that have been caused by dis- ease must be monitored throughout the period of corrective treatment; a treat- ment aimed at correcting one parameter will certainly have an effect on the oth- ers."

In the chapter on neurological dis- eases, the authors write, "A general neurological examination is usually in- corporated into the clinical examina- tion of any patient. Information con- cerning the animal' s clinical history and the nature of the complaint should be obtained from the owner prior to the examination. This examination should include observation of the animal's be- havior, mental status, vision, and its head and body posture. Comment is often required from the owner/groom as to what is considered normal for an individual animal." Underpractical tech- niques for neurological diseases the authors describe cerebrospinal fluid collection and its analysis.

Because the book truly is a treatise on diagnostic techniques in the horse, there is a large chapter on musculoskel- etal diseases which includes detailed coverage of diagnostic nerve blocks, evaluation of the gait, etc. The imaging techniques briefly covered are radio- graphy, ultrasonography, nuclear scin- tigraphy, and diagnostic arthroscopy. There are sections on laminitis and myopathies. The clinical pathology in this chapter covers hematology, serum muscle enzymes, rhabdomyolysis and the fractional excretion of electrolytes, selenium and vitamin E serology, and

synovial fluid samples. The various chapters on diagnostic

techniques include: alimentary diseases, chronic wasting, liver diseases, endo- crine diseases, urinary diseases, genital diseases, blood disorders, cardiovascu- lar diseases, lymphatic diseases, fluids and electrolytes, respiratory diseases, musculoskeletal diseases, neurological diseases, ocular diseases, fat diseases, and skin diseases.

The experienced equine practitio- ner, especially one specializing in inter- nal medicine, will find very little new material in this book. But, the book was not written to document all the new techniques (although many are in- cluded). The authors make it clear in the preface, "It is intended for students, recent graduates and those veterinary practitioners who do not specialize in equine work and may be unfamiliar with some of the diagnostic approaches."

The authors have done exactly what they set out to do, and the result is a practical reference book for diagnostic procedures for all of the common (and some uncommon) diseases of the horse. The reasonable price makes it possible for all large animal veterinarians to make it a part of their reference library. WEJ

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