Preface xiii

It is our hope that the books in The

Practical Veterinarian series will meet the
needs of readers and serve as a constant source
of practical and important information. We
welcome comments and suggestions that will
help us improve future editions of the books in
the series.
Shawn P. Messionnier, D. l1.M.

Preface
The authors of this text are theriogenologists,
that is, specialists who deal with the physiology
and pathology of the male and female repro-
ductive systems and the clinical practice ofvet-
erinary obstetrics, gynecology, neonatology,
and andrology. Some are still in training, and
others have been in practice for many years.
Some are academicians, some are in industry,
and some are private practitioners. A few
do exclusively small animal work, whereas
most do reproductive work in all species.
Theriogenology is well rooted in practice and
was the first specialty for which diplomates
could be drawn either from practice or from an
internship and residency. Theriogenology as a
veterinary specialty has close ties to a sister
organization for nonboarded practitioners, the
xiv Preface

Society for Theriogenology (www.therio.org).

The diplomates of the American College
of Theriogenologists who have contributed
to this text did so to promote our mission
of support for veterinary students and
practitioners.
As theriogenologists, we strongly recom-
mend that all animals being considered for
breeding undergo a thorough prebreeding
examination to include testing for brucellosis
in dogs; assessment for heritable conditions
with hip radiographs, certification of the eyes,
and other tests specific to the breed; a com-
plete physical examination; and semen evalua-
tion of males. Many animals should not be
bred. If an animal's health will suffer from
remaining sexually intact or if that animal is
unlikely to produce superior offspring, it
should be neutered. Theriogenology is not
about breeding animals at any cost; instead, it
is about educating clients about how best to
manage breeding and reproductive conditions
of animals. Theriogenologists have been at the
forefront of efforts to curb pet overpopulation
and continue to research how best to treat
reproductive tract disease in all animals, intact
or neutered.