Best General Books of 2025

The Merck Veterinary Manual is an essential guide for veterinarians, students, and animal health professionals worldwide. This completely revised and redesigned new edition covers all domesticated species and diseases in veterinary medicine, including a new section on public health and zoonoses. The two-column format and color throughout make it easy to read, and hundreds of color images enhance and illustrate the text. The book also includes updated chapters on numerous new and emerging topics in veterinary medicine. Overall, the Merck Veterinary Manual is an indispensable resource for anyone involved in animal health care.

The fourth edition of Cote's Clinical Veterinary Advisor: Dogs and Cats is an essential resource for busy small animal practitioners. It covers diseases, procedures, laboratory tests, clinical algorithms, and a drug compendium. The book has over a dozen new chapters on important topics and includes access to a searchable companion website with bonus content. The highly referenced alphabetical order makes it easy to retrieve information, and the hundreds of expert international contributing authors ensure it is up-to-date. The book's unique feature is that it is like six books in one, making it a valuable addition to any veterinarian's library.

Mosby's Veterinary PDQ is a pocket-sized reference book that provides quick access to essential veterinary medicine facts, lab values, and procedures. The book is divided into ten sections, covering topics such as pharmacology, animal care, diagnostic procedures, and imaging techniques. It contains valuable formulas, conversions, and lab values, making it easy to deliver safe and effective veterinary care. The book's quick-access format and spiral binding allow for easy and efficient use in the clinical setting. Overall, Mosby's Veterinary PDQ is an indispensable resource for veterinary professionals who want to enter every examining room with confidence.

The Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary is a comprehensive guide for veterinary professionals who work with exotic animals. The book covers a wide range of species, including birds, reptiles, and small mammals, and provides detailed information on drug dosages, administration, and potential side effects. It also includes a helpful appendix with conversion tables and other useful resources. The book is published by Saunders, a trusted name in veterinary publishing. Overall, the Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary is an essential reference for any veterinarian working with exotic animals.

The Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook is a comprehensive and reliable source of drug information for veterinary medicine. This updated tenth edition covers dosages, drug interactions, adverse effects, and contraindications, with 30 new drug monographs added. The book is designed for ease of use and covers a wide variety of species, including dogs, cats, birds, small mammals, and farm animals. This book is an essential reference for veterinarians, veterinary technicians, pharmacists, and libraries. Overall, it is a must-have resource for anyone requiring reliable information on the use of drugs in animals.

McCurnin's Clinical Textbook for Veterinary Technicians and Nurses is a comprehensive guide for vet tech students, covering every aspect of animal care, from small to large animals, birds, reptiles, and small mammals. The book offers step-by-step guidelines for performing various tasks and provides real-life scenarios to practice critical thinking and decision-making skills. With over 1,000 full-color photographs and line drawings, this illustrated guide prepares students for the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE®) and clinical practice. The inclusion of large animal care, pharmacology, pain management, restraint, and veterinary oncology chapters makes it a unique and valuable resource for vet tech students and professionals.

The third edition of "Emergency Procedures for the Small Animal Veterinarian" is an essential resource for small animal veterinarians of all specialties and stages in their careers. The book provides step-by-step guidance for managing emergency cases, with updated content, an all-color design, and new features. The book's concise and practical approach makes it easy to access, and the diagnosis-prognosis-treatment approach to every emergency situation is helpful. The book also includes excellent and practical appendices of drugs, poisons, and lab data. Overall, this book is a must-have for any small animal clinician.

Fossum’s Small Animal Surgery, 5th Edition is a comprehensive guide for general veterinarians and vet students covering both soft tissue and orthopedic surgery. The book contains step-by-step instructions for surgical techniques, anesthesia protocols, and clinical tips boxes that provide at-a-glance surgical and practice tips. The book also includes access to the Expert Consult website, which features a fully searchable version of the book, aftercare instruction handouts, case presentations, and an extensive image collection. Overall, the book is an excellent resource for keeping up-to-date with the latest advances and techniques in small animal surgery.

Mosby's Comprehensive Review for Veterinary Technicians, 5th Edition is an excellent study tool for anyone preparing for the Veterinary Technician National Exam. Its user-friendly outline format helps break down information visually, making it easier to understand. It covers all areas of veterinary technology, including basic and clinical sciences, clinical applications, patient management, anesthesia and pharmacology, and professional practices and issues. The book also features an accompanying Evolve site with 500 review questions and a test engine containing an additional 500 questions. Overall, this comprehensive review book is a must-have for anyone seeking to pass the VTNE and become a certified veterinary technician.

Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook: Desk is a must-have for practicing veterinarians or anyone requiring reliable information on the use of drugs in animals. The ninth edition covers monitoring, chemistry, storage, compounding, and dosages, with carefully curated dosages per indication for clear guidance on selecting a dose. The book surveys an exhaustive list of drugs with applications for a wide variety of species, including dogs, cats, exotic animals, and farm animals. The 16 new systemic drug monographs and new appendices make it a fully updated edition of the classic veterinary drug handbook. This authoritative, complete reference offers detailed information about animal medication and is designed to be used every day in the fast-paced veterinary setting.