CRC Handbook of Marine Mammal Medicine, 3rd edition

摘要

At 1087 pages, this hardcover handbook is a hefty one. Divided into 5 main sections, this book covers everything orientated towards marine mammals, from oil spills and stranding rescues to viral diseases and anesthesia. I have always had an interest in marine mammals and aquatic creatures, and was hoping to learn more about the variations in physiology and disease processes among the species covered in this book (seals, otters, dolphins and whales, manatees, and polar bears, among a few others). While I did learn some interesting facts, the book is geared more towards wildlife rescue workers, rescue organizations, and even experienced emergency responders than veterinarians or veterinary students. Two-thirds of the book was devoted to how to start a stranding response network, oil spill response through various government agencies (including a section on the chemical composition of oil), ethics of rehabilitation, and public health. The remaining third that was about physiology, pathology, surgery, and medicine was not as detailed as I would personally have liked or expected from the title.