Schmidt RE, Reavill DR and Phalen DN:

Pathology of Pet and Aviary Birds, 240 pp, Ames, IA, Iowa State Press, 2003 ($134.99).

Pathology of Pet and Aviary Birds is a reference textbook based on a systems approach, providing summary descriptions of the major diseases of aviary birds. The book has both strengths and weaknesses. The major organ systems are covered. Strengths of the book include the discussion of normal anatomy at the start of each chapter and photography that ranges from good to excellent. Most of the major diseases are supported by gross or microscopic photographs. The primary weakness is that the organization by systems provides noncohesive coverage of the most important diseases in these species. Thus, the reader has to go to several chapters to gather relevant information about multisystem effects of individual diseases (polyomavirus, beak and feather syndrome, etc.), increasing the work of information recovery. Moreover, there is little organized discussion of actual disease pathogenesis. More information about the infectious agents, current agent classifications, modes of transmission, and pathogenetic mechanisms would have strengthened the book. Thus, it reads more like a disease atlas. It is a most useful book for filling a much needed gap in reference information on diseases of these species for working pathologists. The organization by systems and lack of cohesive and complete coverage of major diseases weaken the text as a teaching tool for veterinary students.