Abstract
Blowey, R. W., and Weaver, A. D. Color Atlas of Diseases and Disorders of Cattle, 2nd ed. 223 pp. Mosby Inc., St. Louis, MO, 2003. $110.00. ISBN 0-7234-3205-8.
The second edition of this textbook has few readily apparent changes from the first edition; for example, American spelling has been used in this edition. The total number of illustrations has increased to 752 from 730 in the first edition. The major revision in this second edition is the addition of brief notes on the management of the various conditions. This new edition also contains illustrations of bovine spongiform encephalopathy and foot and mouth disease.
Nearly all the photographs are of very high quality with good demonstration of lesions and conditions. Although the book is an atlas, it has abundant information of clinical features, brief notes on pathogenesis, and cross-referencing to illustrations of differential diagnoses. One will not find photographs of all conditions of cattle in this atlas; however, a wide range of important conditions are included.
The book is divided into 13 chapters, mostly by systems, with a good index. No references are included. The chapter on cardiovascular disorders is short at only three pages, whereas others are more extensive. For example, there are 19 pages devoted to foot and claw disease, with numerous excellent photographs. It is easily read and would make a handy textbook for the necropsy area or clinical reference.
The authors state that the book is directed toward veterinarians working in different fields of cattle medicine, veterinary and agricultural students, and livestock producers worldwide. The atlas should be especially useful to bovine clinical veterinarians and diagnostic pathologists as well as cattle producers. However, it would also be a valuable resource to didactic pathologists and students.