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Feline Focus

BOOK REVIEWS

Domestic Animal Behaviour for Veterinarians andAnimal Scientists

Katherine A Houpt

This, the third edition of the title, has brought severalnew aspects to the useful information it contains.Up-to-date comment on the possible influence of dieton behaviour, as well as the use of carefully chosendrug support in conjunction with behavioural modi-fication are both included and are a useful startingpoint for further reading or research. The sectionson behaviour—both ‘normal’ and problematic—indomestic species other than cats and dogs are perhapsthe most fascinating—and fill a gap which has existedin this genre for some time. Explanations are simpleand to the point, and while they are unlikely to offersufficient detail to allow a full diagnosis and treatmentprogramme to be established, they do focus on themost pertinent questions that need to be asked.

The illustrations throughout the book vary in qual-ity and pertinence, however the easily accessible textmakes this a useful quick reference guide for anyoneinterested in the behaviour of many different domesticspecies.

Sarah Whitehead BA(Hons) MScManson Publishing440 pages, £29.95ISBN-1-87454-96-0

Self-Assessment Colour Review of VeterinaryDentistry

Frank JM Verstraete

This book uses the now familiar picture-based ques-tion and answer format to invite readers to test theirdepth of knowledge within the field of companion

Veterinary HematologyAtlas of Common Domestic Species

WJ Reagan, TG Sanders, DB DeNicola

The atlas is divided into 10 short chapters. The firstchapter contains basic but concise information on theproduction, stages of development and morphologyof the red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets(haematopoiesis). A description of the morphologicalcharacteristics of other cells present in the bonemarrow (macrophages, osteoclasts/osteoblasts, mastcells) is also included.

Chapters II, III, and IV are devoted to the red bloodcells. The second chapter includes information on themorphological features of mature red blood cells ofhealthy animals and underlines interspecies differ-ences. The third chapter describes variations in themorphology of red blood cells which can occur inanimals with various pathophysiological and diseasestates (eg, immune-mediated damage, oxidativeinjury, mechanical fragmentation). The fourth chapteris dedicated to the identification of common redblood cell inclusion bodies (eg, distemper virus) andparasites (eg, Haemobartonella spp).

Chapters V, VI and VII are devoted to white cells.The fifth and sixth chapters provide information onthe morphological features of white blood cells inhealthy animals and in animals with inflammation,while the seventh chapter contains useful informationon the identification of white blood cell inclusions(eg, Morula of Ehrlichia spp) and parasites.

Chapter VIII is devoted to platelet morphology,interspecies differences and identification of plateletparasites. Chapter IX, focuses on the changes thatare present in the peripheral blood of animalswith lymphoproliferative and myeloproliferative dis-orders. The last chapter contains useful tips for theidentification of cells which are often not classifiedaccurately by the novice, and underlines the limi-tations of the rapid haematological stains on cellidentification. The book ends with a glossary whichdefines many of the terms used in the text and twoappendices on the semiquantitative grading schemesfor the evaluation of red blood cell morphology andneutrophil toxicity.

In summary, this is a useful haematology atlaswhich provides fundamental information on theidentification of the normal and abnormal morpho-logical features of blood cells of the common domesticspecies (including llamas!). All microphotographs are

excellent and the text clear and easy to read. It willprove of great value to undergraduate veterinarystudents, nurses and practitioners interested inhaematology, and is highly recommended.

Kostas Papasouliotis DVM PhD MRCVSIowa State University Press 1998Manson Publishing Ltd, London75 pages