ER Vets: Life in an Animal Emergency Room by Donna M. Jackson

Jackson, Donna M. 2005. ER Vets: Life in an Animal Emergency Room. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company.

A non-fiction book that describes life in an animal Emergency Room, obstacles faced by being an ER Veterinarian, and real-life animal ER cases. A well-researched book, Donna Jackson portrays the emotional and physical strains working in an ER clinic but balances it nicely with the rewards of the profession and the strong bond between pets and pet owners.

Filled with full color photographs, this highly visual book doesn't lack in the information department. To get the scoop, the author immersed herself at Colorado State University's Veterinary Teaching Hospital where she watched and interviewed the ER team in action. Case studies (both happily ever after and-realistically-not so happily) keep the book on track and give it a purpose. Profiles of the veterinarians, vet technicians (like nurses), and grief counselors, alternate with the case studies and informative inserts - such as, knowing your pets vital signs, toxic treats, etc. Includes a reading list for further information, websites to check out, a glossary, and an index.

I'm not typically an nonfiction reader, but I couldn't put this one down! The easy pace and short chapters kept my attention and kept me engaged. This is a great book for learning some general information about the emerging career of an ER vet.