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Clinical examination of horses
Clinical Examination of Horses (1997) by Victor C. Speirs; 7"X10" paperback; 367 pages; 399 illus.; US$50. This Australian veterinary professor takes the reader back to basics, emphasizing that "more mistakes are made by not looking than not knowing." He says in the preface, "As the type and complexity of diagnostic aids available to the clinician increase, it has become easy to forget that an accurate diagnosis rests basically on a competent clinical examination supplemented with results from selected anciliary aids. The use of specialized diagnostic aids usually requires that the site of disease has been localized by a clinical examination. Therefore, a competent clinical examination, in addition to making a diagnosis possible, will dictate use of appropriate ancillary testing, thereby reducing the unnecessary use of such tests. After a beginning chapter on handling horses, including restraint both physical and chemical, and a general chapter on the clinical examination, the 13 remaining chapters cover the vari-
ous organ system examinations in detail. The preliminary instructions on the clinical examination includes detailed sections on identification and history taking. "The general examination is made to identify quickly problems and to localize them to a particular organ system," the author says. "It is an extremely important component of the clinical assessment because, when correctly performed, it can quickly direct attention to a specific region or body system and, simultaneously, ensure that less obvious or totally unexpected problems are not overlooked. This is an
important point because many owners have little or no idea of the specific problem affecting their horse, and furthermore, the person presenting the animal is frequently a person with no knowledge of the case whatsoever. The physical examination begins with recording of temperature, pulse, and respiration and then concentrates on particular regions of the body." While the examination procedures described are of a very practical nature, the use of modem sophisticated instrumentation is described where necessary. The basics of ultrasonography and radiology are covered as they apply to the various organ systems. Techniques for injecting joints are described in the musculosketetal chapter. Six appendices provide additional information on the following subjects: endoscopic instrumentation; ultrasonography; clinical bacteriology; evaluation of pleural and peritoneal samples; sample contamination with blood; and needle biopsy. While the book is intended mainly for students, it serves as a helpful review for any practitioner who occasionally misses critical information which could have been discovered with a more thorough clinical exam.
Joint Disease in the Horse Edited by C. Wayne Mcllwraith and Gayle W. Trotter; published by W. B. Saunders; 505 pgs, 563 illus; US$125.00. It is difficult to write a book suitable for both researchers and clinicians, but this was the goal of the editors. They have done a remarkable job of defining the current status of the rapidly changing area of developmental and degenerative joint disease, which is of significant clinical importance to the horse. Order on the Internet and save 5% http://www.iaep.com
298
Order by Fax with your CC# From Veterinary Data (909) 678-1885
JOURNAL OF EQUINE VETERINARY SCIENCE
ous organ system examinations in detail. The preliminary instructions on the clinical examination includes detailed sections on identification and history taking. "The general examination is made to identify quickly problems and to localize them to a particular organ system," the author says. "It is an extremely important component of the clinical assessment because, when correctly performed, it can quickly direct attention to a specific region or body system and, simultaneously, ensure that less obvious or totally unexpected problems are not overlooked. This is an
important point because many owners have little or no idea of the specific problem affecting their horse, and furthermore, the person presenting the animal is frequently a person with no knowledge of the case whatsoever. The physical examination begins with recording of temperature, pulse, and respiration and then concentrates on particular regions of the body." While the examination procedures described are of a very practical nature, the use of modem sophisticated instrumentation is described where necessary. The basics of ultrasonography and radiology are covered as they apply to the various organ systems. Techniques for injecting joints are described in the musculosketetal chapter. Six appendices provide additional information on the following subjects: endoscopic instrumentation; ultrasonography; clinical bacteriology; evaluation of pleural and peritoneal samples; sample contamination with blood; and needle biopsy. While the book is intended mainly for students, it serves as a helpful review for any practitioner who occasionally misses critical information which could have been discovered with a more thorough clinical exam.
Joint Disease in the Horse Edited by C. Wayne Mcllwraith and Gayle W. Trotter; published by W. B. Saunders; 505 pgs, 563 illus; US$125.00. It is difficult to write a book suitable for both researchers and clinicians, but this was the goal of the editors. They have done a remarkable job of defining the current status of the rapidly changing area of developmental and degenerative joint disease, which is of significant clinical importance to the horse. Order on the Internet and save 5% http://www.iaep.com
298
Order by Fax with your CC# From Veterinary Data (909) 678-1885
JOURNAL OF EQUINE VETERINARY SCIENCE