Page 12 - Differential Diagnosis in Small Animal Cytology, The Skin and Subcutis

VetBooks.ir Preface

Having worked with both the authors, who are internationally renowned veterinary clinical
pathologists, I can attest to their incredible passion for cytology, constant thirst for new
knowledge and strong attention to detail. Thanks to all these qualities and the authors’ extensive
diagnostic experience, the readers can benefit from a book designed as both written text and an
atlas to provide an up-to-date guide to the cytological diagnosis of cutaneous and subcutaneous
diseases of small animals. The authors did an extraordinary job in integrating their wealth of
knowledge on the topics with practical competency, reviewing their work and summarizing the
information in a reader-friendly and schematic format.
The book is divided into two parts. The first part provides general information on how to
prepare and read a cytological specimen and this information is vital for students, veterinary
practitioners and residents who approach for the first time the cytology of the skin and subcutis.
The first part of the book also includes a chapter dedicated to the choice and use of the micro-
scope, written in collaboration with Ian Baldwin, sales director of a microscope company and
expert in the field.
The second part of the book describes the most cytologically relevant canine and feline dis-
eases of the skin and subcutis. I am sure this will represent an extremely valuable resource for
clinical pathologists, including experienced diagnosticians. The conditions are covered in a com-
prehensive and detailed manner, taking into account the improved understanding on pathogen-
esis and anatomical structure of origin of the lesions and using the most up-to-date terminology
and classification schemes. In this second part of the book a great emphasis is placed on the
description of the cellular morphology, supported by over 100 original images, and distinguish-
ing features of the various conditions as the basis of an accurate cytological interpretation and
formulation of a differential diagnosis. Details of disease incidence, clinical presentation and
biological behaviour are also given in the text and the information becomes an amazing tool
available for diagnosticians to produce report comments.
In conclusion, this book is an excellent benchside reference for those interested in under-
standing, interpreting and reporting canine and feline cytology of the skin and subcutis.

Roberta Rasotto
DVM, PhD, Dipl.ECVP, MRCVS
®
EBVS and RCVS Specialist in Veterinary Pathology

xi