This book is intended as a quick reference (to keep in your car!) guide to those common large animal emergencies that we can be faced with as practising veterinarians. The author uses his vast knowledge and lifelong experiences in both the UK and abroad to summarize some of the most common, and indeed uncommon, medical and surgical situations encountered in large animal practice. In a simple yet comprehensive way, the author aims to both inform and settle the reader with the goal of providing the veterinarian with the essential information required to become better equipped and prepared when dealing with an emergency – while at all times keeping the animal’s well-being at the forefront.
As a new graduate veterinarian myself, I feel we are often overwhelmed and underpre-pared for the harsh realities that face us in large animal practice. We are thrown in at the deep end upon graduation, and the reality of this in my experience is often vastly different from college textbooks and theory! This book is practically minded, focusing more on the ‘how tos’ as opposed to the ‘whys?’, and provides a logical and rational approach to large animal cases with the author’s wealth of experience to back it up.
As my guide and mentor as a newly qualified veterinarian, the author of this book, Graham Duncanson, can only be described as a true inspiration. His enthusiasm for life and work is exceptional, along with his desire to continue to develop himself professionally. He is a very ‘hands on’ teacher and is happy to share his wealth of experience with others. His positive ‘can do’ attitude and kind-hearted, encouraging nature towards veterinary students and younger members of the profession is admirable and something we should all aspire to achieve.
Katie Rosslee
BSc (Hons) BVetMed MRCVS
Abbreviations (excluding disease and virus names)
| ad lib | As much as desired |
| AGID | Agar gel immunodiffusion |
| AI | Artificial insemination |
| ASF | African swine fever |
| AST | Aspartate aminotransferase |
| BCS | Body condition score |
| BHC | Benzene hexachloride |
| bid | Twice daily |
| BUN | Blood urea nitrogen |
| C | Celsius |
| CAE | Caprine arthritis and encephalitis |
| cal | Calorie |
| CCN | Cerebrocortical-necrosis |
| CFT | Complement fixation test |
| CK | Creatine kinase |
| CLA | Caseous lymphadenitis |
| cm | Centimetre |
| CNS | Central nervous system |
| C-NS | Coagulase-negative staphylococci |
| CSF | Cerebrospinal fluid (also used for ‘classical swine fever’) |
| CT | Controlled test |
| cu. | Cubic |
| Cu | Copper |
| DEET | Diethyl-meta-toluamide |
| DIC | Disseminated intravascular coagulation |
| DM | Dry matter |
| DMSO | Dimethyl sulfoxide |
| DNA | Deoxyribonucleic acid |
| EAE | Enzootic abortion of ewes |
| ECG | Electrocardiogram |
| EDTA | Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid |
| e.g. | For example |
| EHA | Egg hatch assay |
| EHV | Equine herpes virus |
| ELISA | Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay |
| EPG | Eggs per gram |
| EU | European Union |
| F | Fahrenheit |
| FAT | Fluorescent antibody test |
| FCE | Feed conversion efficiency |
| FCR | Feed conversion ratio |
| FEC | Faecal egg count |
| FECRT | Faecal egg count reduction test |
| FMD | Foot-and-mouth disease |
| FPT | Failure of passive transfer |
| ft | Feet (measurement) |
| g | Gram |