Summary: An excellent, informative, easy-to-read, well indexed two volume text.I was delighted to receive my two volume text and can honestly say that I have not been disappointed at any stage since I started using it.
Having done quite a lot of research prior to my purchase, I feel that Ettinger is the Rolls Royce of small animal internal medicine texts. It may not have the colour photographs and aesthetically pleasing page lay-out of Nelson and Couto's internal medicine book, but it is easy to read, extremely comprehensive, well indexed and referenced. The pocket compendium also perfectly complements and aids the ease of use of the sister text. As the text is written by US authors it does contain detail on a great number of conditions that are seen rarely in the UK. The presence of this information may however prove invaluable in the future with the possibility of exotic diseases entering the UK from abroad.
The sections within the book are large, but are divided into small, handleable chapters. The sections that I have found particularly well written include the cardiovascular system section and also the clinical manifestations of disease section which contains a huge number of differential diagnoses for common presenting conditions. The other great part of this book is the information displayed within the front and back covers on abnormal laboratory findings. This provides a very useful list of differentials for abnormal haematology, biochemistry and urinary evaluation; great for that difficult case or for revision. Its ease of use makes it a perfect text for students and practitioners who want to look up specific things when time is of the essence as well as being the text of choice for those studying for a certificate. This book is perfect to read or simply to dip into.
I have used the text a great deal and have always found a wealth of knowledge on whatever I have been investigating. Many multi-author texts are often accused of having chapters that range in quality. From my experience I don't feel that this can be said about Ettinger and Feldman. All sections contain well-written, practically useful, up-to-date information. I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to purchase a small animal internal medicine text above all others on the market at the present time.
