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Clinical Cases in Avian and Exotic Animal Hematology and Cytology was written by Terry W. Campbell and Krystan R. Grant and published by Wiley-Blackwell in 2010 as a first edition. Both Campbell and Grant work at Colorado State University in the Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine. The text is meant to accompany the Avian and Exotic Hematology and Cytology, written by Campbell and C.K. Ellis in 2007, also by Blackwell Publishing. The authors present actual clinical cases of sick exotic patients, complete from presentation to the veterinarian, diagnostic selection and test results, treatment, and outcome for the pet. Emphasis is placed on hematologic and cytodiagnostic techniques as often the amount of sample collected from such fragile patients is quite small and physical examination can be of limited usefulness. The clinical presentations selected allow the reader to test their interpretation of hematologic and cytologic slides and track management of the patient through treatment and outcome. The authors offer specific questions that the reader should consider when evaluating each clinical case as if they were managing the animal itself.
The text is divided into two parts, the first four sections consider hematology as a primary diagnostic tool, and the latter four utilize primarily cytology to diagnose and treat exotic patients. Each animal type: mammal, avian, herptile, and fish have clinical cases in each which underscore the importance of small sample diagnostics such as needle aspirates or blood smears. Some of the clinical cases include chemistry profiles, complete blood counts, and radiographs to assist the reader in analyzing the patient data. The reader is then challenged to formulate his own diagnosis and treatment plan to compare with the attending veterinarian in the “interpretive discussion” of the case.
Ninety-four cases are presented and each includes the history, signalment, physical examination, diagnostic findings, interpretive discussion, and summary. Where applicable, tables of reference values, excellent quality color photographs, and photomicrographs are presented. The cases vary among exotic pets, zoo exhibits, to wildlife found ill or injured by the public. Case 20, a sick juvenile hawk used for falconry, is an excellent example of how the patient is worked-up from start to finish. Both hematology and plasma biochemistry results are in table form along with reference values. Blood and fecal smear photomicrographs in addition to radiographs complete the patient profile. The discussion of the data allows the reader to understand how the veterinarian arrived at a diagnosis and management plan for the hawk. Detailed discussion of the photomicrographs appears in the text and not as labeled photos so that the reader can evaluate the smears himself. The hawk's treatment and outcome conclude the summary section.
This text, Clinical Cases in Avian and Exotic Animal Hematology and Cytology, is a phenomenal tool for the veterinarian, veterinary student, and laboratory personnel to self-assess their knowledge using cytology and hematology to define health problems in these species. Additionally the patient treatment plan can be compared to the reader’s assessment and surmised management tactics. Each case is presented clearly and thoroughly with high quality photographs and excellent discussion of the data provided. It is an interesting, well-organized text that clearly presents many varied clinical situations and species and the importance of using hematology and cytology for their ultimate diagnoses.
Sandra L. Jex is a veterinarian and consultant.