This is the 4th edition of the renowned book, which was last published in 1993. When comparing the two editions, the most noticeable improvement is that this edition is now in full colour. The coloured illustrations are detailed and well-labeled, and where applicable, annotated radiographs are included, making this textbook an essential reference for veterinary students and veterinarians. The illustrations allow a general practitioner or board-certified surgeon to clearly review the anatomy prior to performing a procedure. However, this book is not only for general practitioners or surgeons; as an internist, there were a number of chapters that offered an in-depth review in preparation for a variety of procedures, such as bone marrow biopsies, endoscopy of the respiratory and urogenital tracts, and performing abdominal ultrasounds.
The table of contents is well-organized and the index is equally well-organized and comprehensive. There are a total of 21 chapters, the first two of which are new additions to the book. Chapter 1 presents phylogenetic relationships of canids and other carnivores and the history of domestication of the dog, which I found fascinating. Chapter 2 discusses prenatal development, which begins with a revision of the estrus cycle, and ovulation, followed by a comprehensive review of embryology. This extensive chapter on embryology would be useful for veterinary students and individuals interested in reproduction. The chapter is essential for anatomists, and the colour photographs and illustrations of fetal development, as well as skeletal development are clear and informative. The remainder of the book is divided into chapters by body system and each chapter is colour-coded, and presented in a logical manner, complete with illustrations and accompanying text, all of which are clear and detailed. The text also describes physiology where applicable. Chapters 14 to 19, inclusively, cover multiple aspects of the nervous system, and there is a chapter dedicated to the ear, and the eye, as well as comparative ophthalmology.
The book is well-written and very interesting. The only suggestion I would have for a future edition would be to consider including CT and MRI images, in addition to the radiographs, due to advances in technology and the increased availability of these imaging modalities. It should be noted that this text is not available as an e-book.
This edition of Miller’s Anatomy of the Dog, is an extremely useful reference for the veterinary profession, whether for veterinary students or practicing veterinarians, in general or specialty practice.