McCurnin’s Clinical Textbook for Veterinary Technicians 9th Edition

Book Preface

Together with new co-editors, Dr. Angela Beal and Dr. Oreta Samples, I am proud to present the 9th edition of McCurnin’s Clinical Textbook for Veterinary Technicians. As with the previous editions, this textbook represents a labor of love and our perpetual dedication to advancing the profession of veterinary technology. We have continued to carefully select the most pertinent topics relevant to veterinary technician students, particularly those enrolled in veterinary technology programs accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). With the widening range of veterinary practices across the United States and Canada, veterinary technicians are in high demand, particularly in general practice and in emergency, critical care, and specialty practices that require veterinary nurses with the ability to think and act independently.

It is our hope that this textbook will serve as the foundation for study, not only in college, but also later when new graduates prepare for the Veterinary Technician National Examination and beyond—in those times when they face questions and decisions to be made in the immediate care of their patients. No single textbook can fully encompass the full-spectrum of information required by today’s veterinary technicians. However, we hope that this textbook will serve as an important reference for students and graduates alike. Our goal is to focus on key topics that are required to be taught in AVMAaccredited programs and that form the foundation of veterinary nursing in both general and specialty practices. In addition, despite the rapid expansion of information commonly used by veterinary technicians, we are committed to keeping the textbook within a manageable size and weight.

This new edition is more concise, includes two new chapters in oncology and toxicology, and continues to integrate the veterinary technician practice model throughout the text with the goal of improving critical and independent thinking among students and graduates. It covers the most important aspects of veterinary nursing and, in particular, those areas that are required to be taught in AVMAaccredited programs.

Key Features
This edition continues to be heavily illustrated with hundreds of photographs and line drawings in full color, as well as numerous tables and boxes. Each chapter begins with a chapter outline, a list of key terms, and a series of learning objectives. Technician notes continue to be a helpful study tool for students. A comprehensive glossary that is reflective of the key terms in each chapter appears at the end of the text.

New Features

This edition includes a new chapter in oncology written jointly by Samantha Fritz-Waibel, CVT, and Beth Overley-Adamson, VMD, DACVIM (Oncology) and a new chapter in toxicology written by Tina Wismer, DVM, DABVT, DABT and MaryEllen Malysiak, BS, CVT. In addition, many of the chapters have been edited to be more concise so that information is easier to locate. As in former editions, one-third of the textbook has been completely rewritten, with new authors, ideas, and approaches. We have taken on the challenge of generating a fresh, new textbook without expanding its length and weight. Therefore, we have selected its content carefully. Finally, each of the new contributors to this edition is an expert in his or her respective field.