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Special Veterinary Pathology

Article  in  The Canadian veterinary journal. La revue veterinaire canadienne · February 1990

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Beverly Mcewen
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 BOOK REVIEWS
RECENSIONS DE LIVRES
Special Veteinary Pathology, Edited by R.G. Thomson.
Published by B.C. Decker Incorporated, Toronto.
1988. 661 pages. Price $125.40.
Special Veterinary Pathology successfully fulfills its
editor's stated purpose of providing a comprehen-
sive, yet concise, textbook for undergraduate veteri-
nary students. This multi-authored, single-volume text
is organized into 15 chapters, each dealing with the
pathology of a specific anatomic system. The authors
address the subject matter in a concise and authorita-
tive manner and provide thorough but not exhaustive
references. A novel and welcomed addition to a text-
book of veterinary pathology is a chapter devoted to
dental pathology.
Most chapters begin with a lucid discussion of the
general mechanisms of reaction and pathophysiology
of the specific body system. This supplies valuable
information that can be used to synthesize a logical
pathogenesis and arrive at a plausible diagnosis par-
ticularly in those instances when the veterinarian is
confronted by a case that does not conform to the
classical diseases described in the text. The chapter on documented, there should be consistency in the scope
gastrointestinal diseases would be enhanced by a more
complete discussion of intestinal pathophysiology.
Similarly, anomalies of the eye would be more readily
understood if the complex embryological inductive
phenomena of this organ system were concisely
reviewed. Following the introductory comments,
methods of gross and microscopic examination of the
tissue are then described. The gross and microscopic
lesions and pathogenesis of specific diseases are then
addressed.
A section on appropriate techniques for obtaining
and submitting tissues for histopathology is included
in the chapters on the muscular and integumentary sys-
tems. It would be beneficial if the remaining chapters
emulated their example. Information of this type is
particularly germane to students and practitioners,
because the chances of receiving a helpful diagnosis
are greatly increased if a tissue sample is chosen
carefully and submitted correctly.
A major strength of this book is the liberal use of
excellent diagrams and photographs that complement
the narrative. Informative tables succinctly summarize
the pathophysiology, etiologies or features of specific
diseases. For example, the table of characteristics of Beverly J. McEwen, DVM, MSc, PhD, DipACVP,
cutaneous neoplasms provides the veterinarian with Department of Pathology, Ontario Veterinary College,
readily accessible and practical data regarding some University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario NIG 2WL.
130
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of the more commonly occurring tumors of compa-
nion animals. Including diseases of the mammary
gland in the integumentary system, however, is a
departure from the traditional approach of address-
ing the subject with the diseases of the female
reproductive system. Although comprehensive his-
tologic descriptions of mammary tumors are not given
and are not necessary for the intended audience, more
attention should be given to the biologic behavior of
these tumors and the differences between dogs and cats
in this regard.
Irregularities between chapters are evident in the
style of composition, which may be intrinsic to a multi-
authored text. There is, however, a considerable lack
of uniformity between chapters concerning the depth
to which the subject matter is discussed and the range
of species included. Most chapters deal solely with
diseases of food-producing and companion animals,
whereas diseases of laboratory animals, non-human
primates, poultry or wildlife are included in the
chapters on the cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, or eye
and ear. Although the diseases of these species are well-
of species that are included in the text. Diseases of
people, such as chronic atrophic gastritis, are irrele-
vant in a book of veterinary pathology and should be
omitted. Bacteriologic nomenclature should also be
standardized throughout the text: manifestations of
the same equine disease were attributed to Rhodococus
equi in diseases of the respiratory system but to
Corynebacterium equi in the chapter on the gastro-
intestinal system.
The index is relatively complete but there is no listing
for swine dysentery, Treponema hyodysenteriae,
Actinomyces pyogenes, Fusobacterium necrophorum,
or equine sarcoid. Minor typographical errors are pres-
ent but are inconsequential.
Overall, Special Veterinary Pathology is an excel-
lent textbook. The quality of the text and illustrations
have not suffered for the sake of brevity. This text-
book is highly recommended to undergraduate veter-
inary students, the faculty teaching them and to vet-
erinary practitioners who want a concise, pertinent
account of the diseases of domestic animals.
Can Vet J Volume 31, February 1990