Physiology of Domestic Animals

Physiology of Domestic Animals is a state-of-the-art textbook co-authored by experienced teachers and researchers in animal physiology. The book is designed for use by students of veterinary-, animal-, and agricultural sciences. It emphasizes functional aspects of animal- and veterinary science, and aims at developing the problem-solving skills needed for careers in veterinary medicine and animal science. Physiology of Domestic Animals also provides an ideal basis for university courses in general mammalian and avian physiology.

The textbook is divided into 21 chapters. Frequent cross-referencing emphasizes how individual cells and organs of the body collaborate to create a functional unit.

In each chapter, an introductory ingress is followed by a short description of major aspects in the chapter. The body of the chapter provides a more detailed understanding of the physiological processes. The clinical examples included in the chapters are selected to illustrate the delicate balance between the normal processes of the body. Short statements summarizing central points in the main text are inserted in the margins. These statements are particularly useful when reviewing the chapters. Inserted questions reveal whether adequate understanding of important issues has been achieved. Answers to the questions can be found in the associated main text.

Basic knowledge of physics, chemistry, and biochemistry is required to comprehend physiology. The book contains an introductory chapter presenting an overview of some of the most relevant topics of these fields.

There are no logical boundaries between cell biology and physiology. Knowledge of cell biology is therefore a necessary platform for the understanding of animal physiology. Consequently, the book offers an introduction to cell biology, and describes how cells interact and contribute to the various functions of tissues and organs (chapters two and three).

In the comprehensive and user-friendly index, bold page numbers direct the reader to main descriptions or definitions, whereas numbers in italics refer to figures.

Features of third edition

The third edition of Physiology of Domestic Animals is comprehensively revised to encompass recent progress in animal physiology. In the previous editions, the layout and structure were optimized to facilitate the learning process, and these features are kept and further developed in the third edition. The book contains more than 600 color illustrations, of which about 140 are new or modified, nearly 200 clinical examples, about 2 000 questions, and more than 3 000 short, clarifying statements placed in the margins. The sample pages below explain the intended functions of central, didactic elements.

The clinical examples have been selected to illustrate the normal functions of the body, rather than to provide comprehensive insights into pathological processes or treatments of diseases. An effective method of demonstrating the importance of a specific physiological mechanism is describing the symptoms that develop when this mechanism malfunctions. We also believe that such examples motivate the students and stimulate their curiosity.

Throughout the book, relevant questions are inserted after description of the various topics. The questions may be used as a tool for ascertaining that the intended insight into the topic has been achieved. Answers to the questions can be found by reading the associated main text. We consider this approach to be a more efficient method of facilitating learning than would be achieved by providing specific answers in a separate section.

Short statements that underscore important points in the text are placed in the margins. These margin statements will be particularly helpful when reviewing the main content of the chapters. We believe that such margin statements improve learning efficiency.

Book reviews - 2. Edition
1: Veterinary Record, vol 168 , no 25, p 671 (June 25, 2011). Reviewed by Karen Noble

This is a gem of textbook, which at 804 pages can still be held in one hand, and yet covers in an appealing, accessible manner the detailed comparative physiology that a veterinary student needs to understand.
….I particularly liked the opening chapters on chemistry, physics and cell biology, which are usefully cross-referenced throughout the text. The comparative nature of this book covers the traditional species of interest to the veterinary surgeon….

….The book is clearly aimed at veterinary students who are studying physiology for the first time, and the authors do their utmost to aid comprehension and retention of important details….

….There are short overviews of each topic at the start of each chapter, which are well written and make each topic immediately accessible to the novice. The subsequent body of each chapter describes in detail the complexity of each system….

…. The book uses state-of-the art techniques to help readers and guide them through the text. There are over 3000 margin statements that summarise the major points to be gleaned from the accompanying text and provide a useful page-by-page index for the reader who wants to identify a specific topic. There are also over 2000 questions, which are highlighted in blocks on most pages and allow students to review their understanding of the take-home message provided by the text. To further motivate veterinary students, there are nearly 200 examples of the underlying physiology behind common clinical conditions, such as heart failure in dogs and bloat in cattle…."

….This is a modern text, and as such the figures are excellent and include enough anatomy to make sense of the accompanying physiology. Crossreferencing between each chapter is extensive, and the index is clearly set out and seems systematic….

.…This is an excellent modern text for the veterinary student and a good starting point for those wanting to study for further postgraduate qualifications in veterinary medicine.

2: Australian Veterinary Journal, vol 89, no 10, p 400 (Oct. 2011). Reviewed by Lucy Kopecny
….The textbook is predominantly aimed at undergraduate students in the veterinary or animal science fields, though would also be a useful reference of key physiological concepts for practitioners. It provides comprehensive, well-presented information on physiology of all domestic species….

 ….Like the previous edition, information is presented in a logical order. Extensive support of the text by simple diagrams facilitates the understanding of key concepts, and also assist in the development of problem-solving skills by allowing thorough understanding of the physiology of the different organ systems….

 
….Useful additions to this edition include key points highlighted in the page margins, which allow rapid revision of the main concepts.
These summaries are accompanied by questions in the margins, which are particularly useful for students seeking to assess their learning and understanding of the text. While revision questions were provided at the end of each chapter in the previous edition, this edition allows for more continuous assessment….

….There are clinical examples in each chapter, helping to provide a focus for learning and add relevance to the physiological concepts presented. With these features, the text would provide a quick, clear reference for specific underlying disease physiology for students in the clinical years of a veterinary science degree….

….Overall, this would be a highly useful resource on physiology of all domestic species and compares favourably to other physiology textbooks for undergraduate students….

3. Journal of American Veterinary Medical Association, vol 239, no 12, p 1554-55 (Dec.15 2011). Reviewed by Andrea K. Oncken
....The authors have modified the layout of the second edition by adding
several helpful questions after various topics. Additionally, they have
added short statements in the margins that serve to underscore important
points from each page, which is a useful tool when reviewing a section.
Throughout each chapter, there are helpful clinical examples that serve
to illustrate what happens when physiologic processes malfunction….

….There are multiple beautifully colored illustrations throughout the
book that are helpful in understanding the concepts….

...The book focuses largely on homeostasis rather than on
pathophysiologic concepts. The layout of the chapters is logical and
comprehensive, starting with an overview of basic chemistry and cells in
the first few chapters and then moving on to a system-by-system
approach. The book covers most domesticated mammals as well as poultry.
It is a good, broad overview of basic physiology in these species and
would definitely be appropriately suited for pre-veterinary, zoology, or
animal science undergraduate students....

 
Book reviews - 1. Edition
1. Veterinary Research Communications, vol 28, p26 (2004). Reviewed by A.S.J.P.A.M Van Miert, Utrecht.

"The publication of a multi-author textbook on comparative and veterinary physiology is something of an event for interested teachers, researchers, and students in veterinary, animal and agricultural sciences. This book is major, running 735 pages including a comprehensive index. The first edition of this textbook, published by the Scandinavian Veterinary Press, will certainly enjoy widespread acceptance.

In the preface, the editors state, "The ultimate goal of the book is to enable students to develop the problem-solving skills they will need in future careers". In my view, the authors have succeeded in this difficult task. They emphasize the explanation of conceptual aspects, and focus on homeostasis, that is, how regulating mechanisms keep the internal environment of the body stable in a changing external environment.

The subjects are well treated in 20 chapters, broken up into many paragraphs. They include not only a description of the different organ systems, but also biochemistry and biophysics, tissues and cells including communication, structure, function and apoptosis, bioenergetics and growth, reproduction and lactation. Each chapter includes a subject index, clinical examples and, at the end, control questions and a list of references to reviews for further readings. Chemical formulas, tables and full-colour drawings (nearly 600) are well executed. There is no doubt that over the years this textbook will become a standard. For further information, look up the web page: www.scanvetpress.com"
2. Veterinary Record, vol. 153, no 23, p721 (Dec. 6, 2003). Reviewed by Matthew J. Pead.

".... it does provide excellent coverage of animal physiology in a well-integrated fashion and shows a clear relationship with the clinical considerations and conditions that are the primary concern og most people invoilved in veterinary science."

"The chapters are well integrated, bringing together elements of anatomy, physiology and biochemistry to give the reader a full idea of how an individual system functions. The quality of illustration throughout is very high, with traditional figures such as chemata of histology or molecules being done very well, and in color. In addition, there are more unconventional but excellent diagrams, along with flow charts and tablers that are most helpful in terms of explanation. Throughout the chapters there are highlighted clinical examples from veterinary and human conditions that add particularly well to the sense of clinical relevance."
3. Swedish Veterinary Journal, no. 11, p 40 (2003). Reviewed by C. Kvart.

"…. After many years of dedicated effort, a modern, well-illustrated, international textbook in the physiology of domestic animals has finally become available."

"…. It is well constructed didactically, comprises 540 superior color illustrations, and includes an extremely comprehensive index."

"…. Each chapter also includes clinical examples (there are a total of 180) that help to give readers a broad understanding of the links between physiology, pathophysiology, and the mechanisms of disease. These examples are of great benefit to both students and practicing veterinarians alike, as they promote an understanding of the relationship between function and dysfunction as well as stimulate a desire for further reading."

".… The book is also appropriate as a reference work for practicing veterinarians who wish to refresh their knowledge of physiology …." (Translated from Swedish)
4. Norwegian Veterinary Journal, no. 6, p. 00 (2003). Reviewed by Ø. Andresen.

".... Physiology of Domestic Animals is an impressive textbook, presenting a vast amount of knowledge in an easily accessible and appealing manner."

"…. The book is richly illustrated with some 540 figures and approximately 50 additional diagrams and charts. The figures are professionally drawn medical illustrations executed in attractive colors. They are easy to grasp and a genuine treat to study."

"…. For students of veterinary medicine, the clinical examples will enhance motivation and at the same time clearly highlight the importance that detailed knowledge about the physiological processes will have for later clinical practice."

"…. The book is extremely well suited as a reference work for clinicians wishing to update and expand their knowledge about physiology."

"…. In my assessment, the publication of this textbook marks a new era in the cohesive presentation of the physiology of domestic animals." (Translated from Norwegian)