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

From the Publisher

They can surgically remove an arrow in a cat’s abdomen, repair a bird’s broken wing, even save a tiny foal that is in a coma. How? With high-tech x-rays, endoscopes, and electrocardiographs—but most important, with a love of science and animals. Twenty-four hours a day, with a team of anesthesiologists, cardiologists, ophthalmologists, nurses, internists, residents, and a healthy dose of adrenaline, emergency room veterinarians try to heal these little—and large—creatures we consider part of our families.

Filled with full-color behind-the-scenes photographs, this book captures the drama, excitement, and courage of being an ER vet.

The Washington Post - Karen MacPherson

Donna M. Jackson offers a captivating behind-the-scenes look at the emergency unit of Colorado State University's veterinary teaching hospital.

Mary Loftus - Children's Literature

This book is a well researched and engaging look at the busy days inside a veterinary hospital. Real stories put the reader in the middle of the emergency, whether it is stomach surgery on a dog, or the lifesaving efforts to resuscitate a snake. Color photos throughout nicely complement the text. The animal stories alternate with chapters about the history of vets and pets and a general overview of the animal ER. Animal docs Tim Hackett and Vicki Campbell are profiled, giving readers an idea of the education and background needed to become a vet, as well as a look at the range of animals they see in a day. The death of a pet and the grieving process are also featured in a chapter. Two-page spreads about "toxic treats," human foods that are dangerous to animals, and a "pet first-aid kit" are helpful, but randomly tucked between chapters. The only drawback of this book is the organization of chapters, but that probably will not stop animal lovers and future veterinarians from enjoying the content. 2005, Houghton Mifflin, Ages 9 to 12.

School Library Journal

Gr 5-8-With plentiful, excellent-quality photographs, this highly visual book offers a behind-the-scenes look at an emergency animal hospital in Colorado. While a German shepherd's life is saved, a snake could not be resuscitated. The pictures work well with the smallish-print text. Photographs range from heartbreaking (the saddest-ever Basset hound) to heartwarming (Shelley, a dog recovering from HBC, or "hit by a car" in vet-speak) to somewhat graphic. There are examples of X-rays and action shots of surgeries. In a chapter on the history of vets and pets, readers learns about how, in 15th-century France, a sow and her piglets were put on trial for murdering a child. Source notes are appended. A section on grief counseling for families with critically ill pets and a spread on how to put together a pet first-aid kit are included. Well-researched and well-written, ER Vets is an engaging book on a hot topic.-Anne Chapman Callaghan, Racine Public Library, WI Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

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