There are two main parts to the book. The first provides a source of approaches to over 38 different presenting signs in order to assist in diagnosis. Each of these chapters is clearly set out with definitions, causes, clinical findings, diagnostic approaches to help you eliminate and select from lists of differential diagnoses. It is a great provider of easily understood tables of differential lists and possible tests to distinguish between the diseases. The second part works through the main conditions of each organ system and the diagnosis and treatments for each disease. This is done in somewhat more detail than the first part but there are still sufficient diagrams and tables to make the essential information readily available. Throughout the book there are sections of questions to help you revise the previous topics.

Although you may not believe that such a large topic can be anything but superficially covered in a book of this size, there is an amazing amount of information here. It's a bit like Mary Poppins' magic carpetbag, it is hard to believe how much is contained within these pages. The authors have been concise not brief. No space is wasted with in depth discussions of pathophysiology or various treatment regimes but relevant preclinical information is covered. OK so you couldn't use it for writing an essay or as a sole provider of information for internal medicine but to help prompt your memory during revision and as a speedy reference this book is far superior to any of the completely comprehensive texts. Don't forget you should never judge a book by its cover.


A great book if you are willing to work at it!   October 17, 2000
 10 out of 10 found this review helpful

I am familiar with most comprehensive books on Small Animal Internal Medicine but I did not know the National Veterinary Medical Series (intended as a preparation for the National Board Examination). This book is an excellent compendium of all you should know on the subject but does not spoon-feed you what yo should know before hand (anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, semiology, etc.). If you are willing to brush-up these areas on your own, this book is excellent: it gives you all he information you need to diagnose and treat most internal diseases of dogs and cats in the shortest space. Read slowly, thought, it is packed with information and every line counts! At $ 35, is a GREAT deal!