Small Animal Cardiopulmonary Medicine: Self-Assessment Color Review PDF

Preface

This book brings together a wide variety of cases involving cardiac and pulmonary diseases, or related clinical signs, that are relevant to the practicing veterinarian. The collection is appropriate not only for general practitioners looking for a quick review or reference for cardiac, respiratory, and other intrathoracic disorders, but additionally for those studying towards a higher professional qualification. Veterinary students should also find these cases useful when preparing for professional examinations. The book is also appropriate for veterinary technicians and nurses studying towards further qualifications. In addition, this collection is intended to provide an enjoyable way for practicing veterinarians to ‘test' and expand their knowledge of canine and feline cardiothoracic problems.

The cases presented here largely focus on causes of respiratory distress, cough, or other signs that mainly relate to lower respiratory, cardiac, and intrathoracic disorders. The decision to emphasize diseases of intrathoracic structures was intentional. While upper respiratory conditions such as nasal and nasopharyngeal disorders clearly are important, their presenting clinical signs (e.g. nasal discharge, stridor) are often different and tend to be more easily localizable. Many cases in this book involve common diseases, with a focus on important principles of diagnosis and management. Others are more challenging or unusual. Some cases contained in this book reflect diseases (e.g. parasitic) that are common in some geographical regions, but occur with low prevalence, or not at all, in others. Because of their importance in areas where they do occur and the fact that the worldwide distribution of some diseases (e.g. heartworm disease and angiostrongylosis) appears to be increasing, it is hoped that readers living in unaffected regions will forgive their inclusion.

The cases are ordered randomly throughout the book, as they are likely to occur in clinical practice. The format is similar to other books in the ‘Self-Assessment' series. The cases and related questions are presented on one page, so the reader is encouraged to think about specific answers or management strategies before turning the page to see the written explanations/answers (unless you peek!). A Classification of cases, a Further reading list arranged by topic, an Appendix listing Drugs used for cardiac and respiratory diseases, and an Index are included for reference and to facilitate a review of specific problems and their management. It is my hope that you, the reader, will find this book interesting and enjoyable, as well as useful in your practice.