Clinical Anatomy and Physiology of Exotic Species: Structure and Function of Mammals, Birds, Reptiles and Amphibians

  • Bairbre O'Malley
Saunders Ltd., 2005 272 pages, Hardcover, $95.00 ISBN 0702027820 | ISBN: 0-702-02782-0

Bairbre O'Malley's Clinical Anatomy and Physiology of Exotic Species is the first veterinary clinical text of its kind to deal with such topics in these species. As indicated by the book's title, the subject matter covers in twelve chapters the comparative clinical anatomy and physiology of small exotic mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. The presence of this timely book coincides with burgeoning information on exotic-pet veterinary medicine.

The author is a lecturer in Exotic Medicine and Surgery at University College in Dublin, Ireland, and her writing style and emphasis target clinical veterinary practice. This is a distinct advantage for laboratory animal veterinarians, as many books in the laboratory animal field focus on disease and diagnosis, but neglect treatment options. O'Malley has divided the book into four sections with convenient color-coded page bars, one for each of the four classes of animals in the title. The author takes the reader through a brief description of the natural history, taxonomy, metabolism, thermoregulation, and other specific physiological traits of each animal class. This important information segues into descriptions of the anatomy and physiology of individual body systems.

The sections on reptiles and mammals make up three-quarters of the book. The reptile section comprises four chapters focusing on reptiles, tortoises and turtles, lizards, and snakes. This breakdown highlights the clinical importance of dividing living reptiles into three major groups: Testudinea or turtles; Crocodilians, including alligators and crocodiles; and Squamata, consisting of lizards and snakes. Tuatara, the fourth major group, is not included. Similarly, the small mammal section includes six chapters, beginning with a general introduction to small mammals, followed by chapters devoted to rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, hamsters, and ferrets.

In contrast, the amphibian and bird sections are much smaller, with only one chapter each on amphibian and avian anatomy and physiology. Although this brief coverage may seem a disappointment, from a clinical viewpoint, the information is more than satisfactory.

The species described in the book are animals commonly seen in North America and Europe. In the reptile section, more emphasis is placed on tortoises than turtles. Readers in Asia, Australia, Africa, and South America will not regularly see all these species unless working at a zoo. However, much of the information is applicable and crosses the species barrier. With the exception of mice, the small mammal section covers nearly all the exotic small mammal species that veterinarians will encounter as pets in Western countries.

As mentioned above, O'Malley sharply targets her writing towards clinical veterinary practice, drawing attention to useful anatomical information ranging from sites for venipuncture to gender determination. She also deals with important physiological features ranging from dietary requirements to reproduction. The text emphasizes the anatomical and physiological aspects of animals that a clinician will most likely encounter in a clinical setting, including both normal and abnormal presentations.

The book is recommended by many of its features. Throughout the text, for instance, takeouts for 'clinical notes' and 'key points' stress the most pertinent veterinary information. The clinical relevance of certain features of these exotic species is further highlighted by the plentiful use of tables, clear anatomical line diagrams, and color and radiographic images. Each section contains excellent references, and the text as a whole includes a useful index.

Clinical Anatomy and Physiology of Exotic Species is not another information-filled academic anatomy and physiology reference text. Rather, it is a highly readable book designed as a quick and relevant clinical reference for information about many common exotic species. The prose is not word-heavy, nor is the layout difficult to navigate.

Any veterinarian interested in comparative anatomy generally or in small exotic mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians specifically will appreciate this text as a compliment to his or her own knowledge on these clinically challenging species. The book is also useful for the laboratory animal setting. Besides the interesting comparisons on physiology and anatomy between many species maintained in a laboratory, the diagrams and photographs are useful for finding venipuncture sites in exotic species, internal and external anatomical reference points for surgery, and normal organs and their layout for necropsy. Even veterinary students interested in exotics, who may otherwise gain little information in this area during their school years, will find it a valuable resource.