Handbook of Pig Medicine

Handbook of Pig Medicine provides the knowledge needed to recognize, diagnose, treat and control pig diseases in practice. The book deals with medical, surgical and reproductive problems in pigs, and includes high quality illustrations which complement written descriptions of clinical signs. Clinical examination of the individual pig and the investigation of herd problems are covered in detail, along with a study on pig population medicine. Each body system is considered with special attention to clinical signs, diagnosis and treatment. Additionally, chapters in the book discuss obstetrics, pig haematology and biochemistry as well as differential diagnosis. Other topics discussed, include organic and outdoor pigs; problems of the pet pig, sampling, euthanasia and post-mortem examination.This practical book is of interest to veterinary students and practitioners and gives them the confidence to carry out an effective clinical examination and gain the comprehensive and required knowledge of pig diseases.

In my opinion, the profession needs this book and the authors should be congratulated for filling that need so brilliantly and thoroughly. (...) The final chapter on differential diagnosis is worth its weight in gold, which can also be said of the four appendices. This book is a must. - Graham Duncanson, Veterinary Times, April 2009

The most exciting feature of this book is the excellent coloured photographs and drawings to help the reader, whether clinician or student, relate to the condition and assist with diagnosis. As a handbook for a general clinician, new graduate or for a student, it would be considered exceptionally useful.At a farmer or stockman level it would be invaluable to help recognise problems. The authors are experienced clinical teachers at the Veterinary School in Cambridge and this helps greatly towards the presentation and structure of the text and supporting photographs.Overall, I think this will prove a very useful addition to the veterinary literature on pig medicine, filling the gap between Pig Diseases and Diseases of Swine.- David Burch, The Pig Veterinary Journal, February 2008

Even though this book is almost 300 pages long, the text is well broken down into easily navigable short sections each of which carries a suitable sub heading. For example, when a specific disease is discussed it has sections on diagnosis, treatment, differential diagnosis and control. Add to this over 250 good quality colour pictures and you have a great book on pig medicine that is suitable either for the veterinary student or the more progressive pig farmer.After considering the investigation of problems on the farm and population medicine the book proceeds to work through the systems of the body and the conditions they can be afflicted by. It then considers obstetrics and reproduction, polysystemic diseasesand outdoor and pet pigs before focusing on medication, surgical procedures, post mortemexaminations and blood testing. One notable omission was that of International Pig Topics from the list of recommended journals!This aside one can only recommend this book as essential reading and a ‘must buy’ for anyone who has a serious involvement in modern pig production.- reviewed by Nigel Horrox, December 2007 issue of International Pig Topics