Avian Medicine and Surgery in Practice

"Avian Medicine and Surgery in Practice is a gem. It is a mandatory addition to the libraries of all veterinarians who routinely see birds and especially for those who only see them occasionally. This book will be of enormous benefit to veterinary students and veterinarians who are just learning about avian medicine. It will also be an excellent resource for veterinary nurses who wish to learn more about the patients for which they are caring."

David N. Phalen, Emeritus Professor, Wildlife Health and Conservation, Sydney School of Veterinary Sciences, Australia

“For clinical veterinarians that treat companion and aviary birds Avian Medicine and Surgery in Practice 3rd edition coedited by Drs. Bob Doneley and Shangzhe Xie is a must have text. This book is being published at a time in which a contemporary clinical avian text is overdue. The advancement of avian medicine and surgery continues and the need for a single source of relevant concise clinical information is required now more than ever. The material contained within, covers important topics to maintain the health and well-being of avian patients to be shared with owners such as nutrition, environmental considerations, and behavior. While providing relevant information, basic up to date standards of care are provided. The behavior, nutrition, and environmental chapters as well as the other chapters have recommended reading if one needs a more detailed enhancement of the text.

The material contained within the foundations of an avian practice are influenced by both the current knowledge and understanding within the veterinary medical community of handling, basic physical examination, and grooming techniques along with the authors’ vast clinical experience. By providing the information in this manner allows even the most inexperienced avian veterinarian to quickly obtain information, thereby saving valuable clinic time. The most up to date information on supportive therapy to treat critical cases, basic clinical techniques for diagnostic testing and treatment, and most importantly a section on interpretation of diagnostic test results are invaluable assets contained within.

What separates this text from others is the manner in which the disease conditions are presented. Again, a clinical textbook with a purpose to have an immediate aid to the veterinarian treating birds in real time. This is evidenced by a chapter on basic differential disease diagnoses described by clinical presentations as one would examine an avian patient during a physical examination. From there, the majority of the book is chapters on body systems and anatomic areas of interest (e.g., skin, beak/cere, eye, ear, pelvic limb, pectoral limb). Each chapter starts with a relatively abbreviated description of anatomy and physiology with the majority of the chapter describing individual diseases of that body system or anatomic area of interest. The individual disease conditions are then defined, clinical presentation described, how to diagnose, and finally, treatment options. Truly a clinical medical text for the practicing avian veterinarian. The chapters describing basic soft tissue and orthopedic surgery, reproductive disorders and technology, pediatrics, oncology are clinically thorough and the authors have again added their experience to recommended treatment techniques for particular injuries and disease presentations.

The tables, images, and line drawings are an enhancement to the written material and aid in understanding of technique descriptions. The cytological overview with images is an important reference that is not found in any current clinical avian text. There are 3 appendices that are appropriate for any clinical avian medical text, a formulary, reference intervals, and biological values.

All in all, Avian Medicine and Surgery in Practice, 3rd edition is a book that any veterinarian that treats companion and aviary birds should have as a guide to practice medicine and surgery using today’s standards of care.”

Thomas N. Tully, Jr., DVM, MS, DABVP (Avian), DECZM (Avian), Professor Zoological Medicine, Louisiana State University – School of Veterinary Medicine, USA

Praise for the previous editions:

"Over the past decade there have been numerous texts published on avian medicine and surgery, each with varying degrees of depth of information and ease of use. The second edition of Avian Medicine and Surgery in Practice: Companion and Aviary Birds is an excellent blend of both features; readers can quickly access relevant and practical information, with additional references listed at the end of each chapter which direct the reader to more detailed information on the subject matters. The second edition comes only 6 years after the initial edition; however, given the continuously rapid expansion of information in avian medicine, its release is timely. The author’s extensive experience in clinical avian medicine of companion birds is evident as one reads through the various chapters... Veterinary students will find the text to be a useful addition to complement their learning."

— Douglas Whiteside, DVM, DVSc, DACZM, DECZM (ZHM), Senior Staff Veterinarian, Calgary Zoo, Alberta, The Canadian Veterinary Journal, Volume 58, 7

“The table of contents reveals an extensive and complete listing of most topics… This reasonably priced book will be an excellent addition to any avian practitioner’s library and will be useful for veterinary students as well”
—James McKinley, DVM, DABVP Amwell Bird Hospital, Hillsborough, NJ, Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association

"This is a handy review of both the normal and the abnormal in companion and aviary birds… The format does not limit the clinician's options to those reported in a particular species, but instead invites the practitioner to think critically about a wider array of etiologies and management options. The second edition is indeed justified, with new chapters on husbandry, diagnostic imaging, and endoscopy, as well as a significant amount of new information in many of the other chapters."—Nichole Rosenhagen, BS, DVM (University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine), Doody Enterprises

"At present, exotic veterinary medicine is barely taught in vet school, so if you wish to specialize in avian medicine, then this is a fantastic resource. The diagrams showing the limb/wing immobilisation are really easy to follow and exceptionally helpful. The text is a good size and each section is bite-sized and easy to read. I have certainly learnt a lot from reading this book." — 3rd year Veterinary student, University of Surrey, UK

"Several avian books are available for practitioners working with pet birds and most claim to be comprehensive and easy to use. Unfortunately, many don't succeed in accomplishing both aims. This book does."
—Julia Whittington, DVM, University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in Doody's Review Service

"The author clearly draws on a wealth of experience and has written a book with much to recommend…"
—Journal of Small Animal Practice

"…chapters are extremely useful for any veterinarian, as they vividly describe the basics of avian medicine and how to apply them... many practical tips and scenarios... [images] are of high quality and are well labelled..."
—Australian Veterinary Journal