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Companion Animals. Their Biology, Care, Health, and Management |
Companion Animals. Their Biology, Care, Health, and Management By Karen L. Campbell, James E. Corbin, and John R. Campbell, Pearson Education, Inc., 2005, 612 pages, hardbound. $101.20
This textbook is an excellent resource book strictly devoted to many species of companion animals, including dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, amphibians, rodents, and ferrets. While many books focus on specific areas such as nutrition or health, this textbook covers all aspects of companion animal management. Each of the 25 chapters in this text has in-depth coverage of a topic related to companion animals. The first chapter provides an excellent
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overview of companion animals, including the actual definition of a companion animal, the domestication of cats and dogs, and the contributions of companion animals in our society. Demographic information on the world pet population and associated costs is also provided. The book contains information about the companion animal industry, including the history of the development of commercially available pet foods as well as the various types and manufacturing of pet foods. Economic information is also provided and gives the reader an excellent overview of the companion animal industry in the United States and worldwide. There is an excellent chapter on breeds of dogs and cats providing characteristics of each breed, including breed classifications, most popular breeds and breed registry information. Additionally, there is a chapter devoted to selecting a dog or cat and factors prospective owners should consider when selecting an animal.
There is an excellent chapter which covers feeding and nutrition. It describes the classes of nutrients and their importance for proper growth, development, reproduction, and maintenance of dogs and cats. Detailed information is provided about the various types of food, methods of feeding, feeding for different life stages, pet food labeling, nutrition and disease, and some common concerns such as mycotoxins and additives. As a nutritionist I find this chapter to be extremely useful in teaching companion animal nutrition to college students. The chapter on anatomy and physiology of dogs and cats is very useful and helps the reader understand the importance of proper feeding, care, and management of these animals.
While dogs and cats are the most popular companion animals, other species are considered in this text. There are detailed chapters describing breeds, nutrition, reproduction, diseases, and husbandry of birds, frogs, lizards, snakes, turtles, and tortoises, chinchillas, gerbils, guinea pigs, hamsters, ferrets, rabbits, mice, and rats. These chapters provide a great deal of information and provide references to direct the reader to further information.
The final chapters of this book are devoted to topics other than nutrition. There are several chapters which cover care, management, training, fitting and showing, Just as nutrition was covered in great detail, there are several chapters devoted to companion animal health. Infectious and noninfectious diseases and disorders, public health aspects, preventative medicine, sanitation, vaccinations of dogs and cats, and animal emergencies are among the topics covered in these chapters. One chapter is specifically focused on parasites and pests of companion animals, as this is an extremely important aspect of companion animal health. Continuing with the health segment of the text, detailed information concerning diagnostic tools and procedures including physical examination procedures, blood tests, radiographic imaging, ultrasonography, and other veterinary techniques are provided.
Finally the text covers society related issues in companion animal health and management. Pet behavior, pet boarding, animal welfare, and controlling the pet population are among the topics covered. The use of animals in service, including guide dogs, police dogs, search and rescue, security and protection are among the many areas discussed. Animal assisted therapy is gaining in popularity and is discussed in this text. The final chapter discusses the future of the companion animal industry, including research and education to facilitate further advancement of the companion animal industry. This is a rapidly growing industry, and such research areas as biotechnology and forensics will enable the companion animal industry to achieve its potential. Consumer preferences are important in product development, and these issues are discussed in this final chapter.
This textbook is an outstanding resource and covers so many aspects of the companion animal industry. As an instructor at the university level I have lectured on pet nutrition many times. I would highly recommend this text to anyone who teaches courses related to companion animals.
Cathy Williams
Associate Professor
Department of Dairy Science
Louisiana State University
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