This book is edited by charter members of the newest veterinary specialty college, the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, with contributions from surgeons, internists, nutritionists, and physical therapists. The authors state that their aim is to provide students, veterinarians, and physical therapists with a resource for daily practice and a basis for future research in this developing field.
The book covers a wealth of topics related to sports medicine and rehabilitation. Several of the chapters, such as those on musculoskeletal physiology and nutrition, cover basic concepts and then apply them to the canine athlete and to rehabilitation. Topics covered also include orthopedic conditions, rehabilitation tools and techniques, medical conditions that will have an impact on performance, and geriatric rehabilitation. The first chapter describes the various types of athletic events that dogs can partake in, and the types of injuries that will be more commonly encountered in each event. Each chapter begins with a summary of the concepts detailed therein, and several relevant case studies are present in most chapters.
The book is richly illustrated with color photos and schemas that support the text and enable the reader to understand the various concepts presented. This is especially useful in the rehabilitation section, where an image is literally worth a thousand words.
In the preface, the authors note that the book is divided in 4 sections (basic science, introductory information regarding canine sports medicine and rehabilitation, treatment options and rehabilitation approaches, and issues specific to sports medicine including advanced imaging, emergencies and integrative medicine); however, these sections are not clearly outlined in the table of contents or within the book itself. Chapters related to rehabilitation tools and techniques are placed before those covering the diagnosis of orthopedic conditions, which to me seemed counterintuitive.
This book will mostly appeal to those with a special interest in rehabilitation or who are working with athletic and working dogs, but it can also be a great resource for any general practitioner who is looking for a text to help diagnose and treat orthopedic conditions that also frequently occur in non-athletic dogs. It can also aid in devising rehabilitation plans for dogs after an injury or surgery, or for geriatric patients dealing with debilitating conditions.