Andrew K. (kuligowskiandrewt) -
Imagine being a doctor having to deal with a patient who cannot describe their symptoms even when conscious. Pediatricians don't count, because while many of their patients haven't learned verbal communication skills as yet, some have. Now, imagine that some of those patients would be apt to harm or kill you given half a chance we've now obviously narrowed down to the zoo veterinarian.
The Rhino with Glue-On Shoes And Other Surprising True Stories of Zoo Vets and their Patients, edited by Lucy H. Spelman and Ted Y. Mashima, gives a voice to several veterinarians at zoos and aquariums (and occasionally in the wild). Each is given a chapter typically 8 to 12 pages to describe one of their most interesting cases. In some cases, it's because of the medical challenge, as in the title story written by Dr. Spelman how do you protect the soles of one of the largest land mammals on earth? Others focus on a situation with a unique patient Water-Breathing Dragons focuses on Ilze Berzins' weedy sea dragons, and Maryanne Tocidlowski's The Bugs have Bugs? deals with dung beetles. ALL grab the reader and refuse to let go.
The reader can hop in and catch a series of quick glimpses by reading a story at a time, or they can immerse themselves by devouring the entire book. (Or, as in my case, the reader could INTEND to read the book in short snippets, but find themselves captivated and unable to put it down.) The only weakness I could find is one that comes with this format; it is impossible to get to know any of the vets or their patients to any great extent because each has such a short opportunity to tell their story. Perhaps that's what the sequel will do there WILL be a sequel, won't there? WON'T THERE??
Recommended for anyone with an interest in non-domestic animals 5 stars.
The Rhino with Glue-On Shoes And Other Surprising True Stories of Zoo Vets and their Patients, edited by Lucy H. Spelman and Ted Y. Mashima, gives a voice to several veterinarians at zoos and aquariums (and occasionally in the wild). Each is given a chapter typically 8 to 12 pages to describe one of their most interesting cases. In some cases, it's because of the medical challenge, as in the title story written by Dr. Spelman how do you protect the soles of one of the largest land mammals on earth? Others focus on a situation with a unique patient Water-Breathing Dragons focuses on Ilze Berzins' weedy sea dragons, and Maryanne Tocidlowski's The Bugs have Bugs? deals with dung beetles. ALL grab the reader and refuse to let go.
The reader can hop in and catch a series of quick glimpses by reading a story at a time, or they can immerse themselves by devouring the entire book. (Or, as in my case, the reader could INTEND to read the book in short snippets, but find themselves captivated and unable to put it down.) The only weakness I could find is one that comes with this format; it is impossible to get to know any of the vets or their patients to any great extent because each has such a short opportunity to tell their story. Perhaps that's what the sequel will do there WILL be a sequel, won't there? WON'T THERE??
Recommended for anyone with an interest in non-domestic animals 5 stars.
