What's a good book to start with?

[Lanith]

I'm currently volunteering at a veterinary clinic. It's really fun and I'm learning a lot. However, I'd like to get more... if that's possible.

Obviously, I have no academic background in Veterinary Medicine yet. I'm looking for a book or textbook to help me get some 🙂. Is there a book or textbook that would help a total beginner like me get a basic foundation for veterinary medicine and its practice in general? I'd really like to know how to do some of the stuff the vet techs are doing and know what the Veterinarians are actually talking about during surgery/diagnosis of animals, etc.

Thanks very much in advance.

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[PearlDVM]

Hey - props for starting off early. . . things would have been easier for me ifI had been as prepared as you. And your enthusiasm will def come in handy over the next couple years as you head towards applications 🙂.

I know its not exactly what you were looking for - but i don't think any book will really be able to supplement experience, especially in terms of technical stuff. That said, if I were to recommend a book, it would probably be 1 of these 2:

An Illustrated guide to Veterinary Medical Terminology (I still whip it out in vet school, too)

and/or

Laboratory Procedures for Veterinary Technicians

Be prepared to ask your senior vet techs and veterinarians for help with the second book, because a lot of it won't be as useful unless you can put it into practice after reading about it. And these will both be more understandable/applicable with a good biology class as a backbone. Good luck!

 

[sumstorm]

I'd look for stuff aimed at vet techs simply because it won't be as in depth and will give you more applicable knowledge in the short term. A lot of the vet med material is going to be aimed at folks assuming a decent knowledge of other material like anatomy and physiology.

Things like 'veterinary technicians daily reference guide' and 'veterinary technician's pocket partner' will help you understand (in brief) what procedures are being done, what drugs are being used, etc. 'Tasks for the veterinary assistant' and 'dictionary of veterinary nursing' may also be useful. The only reason I suggest stuff aimed at vet tech/assistants is that it will be less in depth, and I personally think a surface introduction to a variety of topics will be more useful in the clinic than an in depth delving into a specific topic, and I have noticed those who have a decent knowledge of tech stuff can build on it faster when learning the in-depth stuff (and you can always go deeper.)

If you are working with a vet, might ask for their suggestions and persue their library if they will let you.

 

[MonkeyPoo]

A good idea to start is to know what you are talking about, working in a vet clinic, you are going to hear lots of words you have never heard before, investigate them, understand their meaning. A good vocabulary book with self quizzes will help you, getting to know the roots will help you down the road also. heck, google things as you go! I have a book I got from Barnes and noble, it's purple-ish (sorry) but it's just a big book of veterinary terminology. don't think you have to spend a billion dollars on big books to learn a bunch at first, maybe just get a vet tech book off amazon, you can really find some deals if you look!
the doing part comes with time, hang in there! GOOD LUCK!

 

[buckeye4runner]

...but I found the 5 Minute Vet Consult books really easy to read, they're very concise- and almost every student and practitioner I know that's used one of them swears by them!

Check in the clinic where you're volunteering, they may have one!

 

[PendantWorld]

One book I read that I thought was good was "Tell me where it hurts: A day of humor, healing, and hope in my life as an animal surgeon". It shares interesting perspectives on traits necessary in a veterinarian, recent trends in the profession (it was published in 2008), and a number of interesting cases. It's not technical, but its a good read and you may enjoy it.

The amazon link is here: http://www.amazon.com/Tell-Me-Where-Hurts-Healing/dp/0767926439

 

[Nechochwen]

An Illustrated guide to Veterinary Medical Terminology (I still whip it out in vet school, too)

Me too!

It's nice, nothing too heavy, but helps you understand what's being said.

 

[lifeofmalaise]

Yes on the 5 min consult =) most vet clinics already carry it PLUS they should all carry a lot of other consult books, including pharmaceuticals, blood work chemistry, etc. Take advantage of its availability and use it whenever you can. Or sometimes I just google it 😛
With obtaining more experience in the clinic, you will learn more too.