Service Animals Books

The Exotic Animal Drug Compendium is a long overdue compilation of over 700 drugs, and what must encompass nearly every conceivable medicinal use for them. Therapeutic doses for over 800 different species of animals, from ratites to roaches, are compiled alphabetically for quick reference. The compendium avoids diagnostics, and instead concentrates on providing a tremendous variety of therapeutic information, presented in a clear, repeatable format. The drugs in this formulary are categorized according to function and of course drugs may appear in more than one category. Categories (example: analgesic, antibacterial etc.) are presented alphabetically, and individual drugs within each category are also alphabetized, according to generic name. For each drug the species in which that drug has been used and various treatment regimes are reported. These can vary widely, and to help the practitioner make an informed choice, a confidence level abbreviation is provided, denoting how each protocol was derived (i.e. via pharmacological research, clinical trials, vendor suggestions, anecdotally, or by extrapolation). For more specific information, the actual source of each treatment protocol is cited and can be found in the very complete index of references. The references are not alphabetized, which could have facilitated locating specific contributors. Most treatment regimes include an important comment or two. Brief but adequate, these comments may relate to drug interactions, contraindications, cocktailing, administration tips and other information to help the practitioner make the most appropriate therapeutic decision. There is no discussion of pharmacology nor pharmacokentics in this formulary, thus a basic, practitioner knowledge level of pharmacology and physiology is required to get the most out of it. Appendices include the index of over 700 references, a cross reference for species names and a cross reference of drug generic and trade names (both international and domestic). Unfortunately, this index may be more useful if it were alphabetized according to the various trade names, cross referencing the generic name instead of the other way around. This formulary, because of it's concise and practical nature will undoubtedly face field conditions including fungal infestation, animal attacks and civil strife (both in and out of the office). Thus, perhaps a more durable weather and bullet-proof cover and binding may be in order for the next edition. 394 pp. Adrienne Otto, DVM Pet Vet Veterinary Hospital Mount Pleasant, SC

Plowing New Turf on the Net by Gary Schneider Associate Dean, College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources University of Tennessee, Knoxville

From its title, you would correctly assume that this publication is directed primarily toward farmers and rural residents. The Farmer's Guide to the Internet is intended both for farmers who don't own a computer yet and want to learn about the Internet and for those who are seeking Internet access or new Internet sites.

However, almost anyone could profit from this easy-to-read book. Although many of the Internet sites listed are agriculturally based, many would also interest a larger audience. The sites Include topics as varied as arts and science, business and finance, computer resources, health, history, home and garden, law, sports and recreation, and tax information, to name but a few.

The first section of the book lays the foundation for using the Internet. In a non-intimidating way, it guides the reader through an explanation of the Internet and the way it works. It then explains the five basic Internet services that most people use: e-mail, mailing lists, news groups, chat rooms, and the World Wide Web.

For Beginners, this guide covers everything from purchasing the computer and modem to securing telephone connections and obtaining the appropriate Internet software. It offers helpful tips along the way, such as which electrical surge protectors to choose, how to deal with noisy telephone lines, and how to keep long-distance charges to a minimum.

The second part of the book lists more than 2,000 Internet addresses. These are indexed by subject, such as crop resources--covering everything from fruits to nuts to vegetables--and livestock resources, encompassing beef, dairy, goats, poultry, sheep and swine.

The guide also lists agricultural companies, magazines, organizations, and news groups, as well as land grant universities in every state. Readers can find information on agricultural markets and prices, pesticides, precision farming, and soil and water. The book also lists sites for accessing current weather conditions. Having all of these topics in one handy text saves a great deal of time and allows the reader to bookmark favorite sites.

The final section of the text contains material on Internet service providers, rural Internet access, PCs and Macs, and Internet software for Windows 3.1, 95, and 98.

If you are looking for one book that will help you get started on the Internet with the least possible pain, choose The Farmer's Guide to the Internet. If you are already an Internet user but would like to get a quick update on new Internet addresses, look no further than this manual. It will serve you well.

This is a lovely book, very well put together. It is a touching story of a Golden Retriever who "works" at a gas station. All animal lovers will enjoy the adventures of this courageous, loving and willing Golden, who gave so much and asked for so little in return.

Often overlooked in life sciences research is that there are gender differences in metabolism. This book gives an authoritative treatment of the subject.

The focus of this book is our relationship to what is often termed "wilderness" and to the various flora and fauna that inhabit it. Particularly, Dizzard examines the controversey surrounding a particular area in Massachusets. The story he tells, and this book reads like an good novel, is the larger story of the history of the white man's relationship with North American land, animals and plants. One chapter is a history of hunting here in the U.S.A. and is particularly illuminating, especially since the popular image of the recreational hunter seems to have changed so much.

Dizzard is obviously sympathetic towards the use of hunting as a valid and effective control on a particular deer population (in Massachusets)in this special case. However, he shows the problems that hunters create and some of the myths and outright lies that they perpetrate. As a hunter myself I think a book like this is long overdue. He also subjects members of the animal rights/anti-hunting community to the same scrutiny.

All in all, an excellent book for anti-hunters, hunters, and lovers of wildlife who wish to understand it better. Dizzard's objective style is much appreciated amidst all the polarized brouhhaha and pap that passes these days as either pro or anti hunting philosophy.

Gorilla Baby: The Story of Patty Cake is a simpley but not simplistically written picture book about the surprise birth of a gorilla baby to Congo and Lulu of the Central Park zoo in the 70's. It's a TRUE STORY told through clear text and startling black and white photographs.

Lulu takes great care of Patty Cake and there is a picture of her holding the baby to her (...)and looking straight into the camera that will haunt you for the rest of your life. The baby learns to crawl and climb the bars, but P.C.'s dad accidentally breaks her arm when she's about 5 months old. She goes into the hospital for 3 months. More seething shots of P.C.'s little grimace as her arm is being put into a cast. But is then welcomed back into her gorilla family in a short, touching scene.

At the end: a great shot through the bars at her first birthday not into the cage, but out of it at a throng of bell-bottomed kids with baloons loooking in at the gorilla family with unabashed awe. I love this book so frickin' much!!

This book is clearly the best zoological compilation that is available at the moment. Grzimek is one of the most renowned zoologists in the world, and his works were edited and supplied with material by today's highest-ranking zoologists. This 9000 page encyclopedia includes the following volumes:

v1 Lower Metazoans and Lesser Deuterostomes
v2 Insects
v3 Protostomes
v4-5 Fishes
v6 Amphibians
v7 Reptiles
v8-11 Birds
v12-16 Mammals
(v17) - Cumulative Index

All this text is generously supplied with coloured illustrations. The only drawback to all this goodness is that this piece is pricey.

Includes a brief history of guide dogs. Offers specific examples of guide dogs leading their partners to safety. Includes a section on guide dog training. The photos are good and the book design is colorful. There is a bibliography with books and web sites, glossary, and an index. Karen Woodworth Roman, Children's Science Book Review

finaly some one told me about this book to have the knowledge i need it is excellent .

my 2 1/2 yr old daughter just loves arnold and anita lobel's books. mr. muster is her favorite. She first started with "A Zoo for Mr. Muster" and just recently got this one. Mr. Muster books are short and humorous stories. Sorry there are only two of them. I read this to her before we went on vacation to the boardwalk/amusement park; great book to read before a vacation or after returning from one. Easy read, but filled with great excitement for the child.