Over the years many books have been published regarding the surgical and medical care of the dog and cat – some of the dog alone, few of the cat alone. One of the earliest of the latter was Feline Medicine and Surgery, edited by Dr. EJ Catcott in 1964. A second edition of that text was published in 1975, in which I had a small contribution. Since that date fortunately the paucity of scientific texts regarding the treatment of many conditions of cats has gradually been reduced. There are now a number of texts solely dedicated to the care of specific systems of the domesticated feline species.

The new text before you is confined to feline orthopedics and traumatology. Using the word ‘confined’ in the context of this text is really an enigma: the term in itself is correct but is contrary to fact, an antithesis of what is to be found in the book, which very competently covers the subjects that come under its title. More so, one ventures to suggest that there are many more ‘pearls of wisdom’ than one might anticipate. Within, the reader will find new information regarding the diagnosis of conditions, including digital radiography and magnetic resonance imaging, and the essential supportive subjects of anesthesia and analgesia – the foreword to the latter two subjects has been written by Dr. William Muir, an eminent colleague in those areas. The reader will also find current information regarding arthroscopy, postoperative care, and rehabilitation. These subjects are described in detail, along with those covering the core subjects of traumatology and orthopedics. The whole is a veritable cornucopia of new and exciting instructive chapters to salve the enquiring mind of practitioners in the art of feline care.

Dr. Pierre Montavon and his co-editors have elected to divide the text into different parts, each with a varying number of conjunctional chapters. The apparent contradiction is solved when one observes that each part has been allocated a separate color for the title page; the same colors have been used as ‘thumb marks’ in the edges of the relevant pages, the marks moving down the page to a new position for the chapters following. The system thus readily aids the reader who, after consulting the list of contents at the beginning of the book, is then readily able to follow the ‘thumb marks’ and rapidly arrives at the material desired. The more one uses the text the more readily one is able to go straight to the material sought.

At this point I should like to pay tribute to the staff at the publishers who were responsible for the layout and printing of the text. The fonts employed are very readable due to their size and spacing, according to what is required by the relevant text. I am also pleased to see the excellent quality of the figures. The reproduction of the radiographs is excellent, as are the colored photographs. The diagrams are simple – clear and colored with two, or sometimes three, pastel tints. The artist has been asked for clarity – not for works of art, as is required in major anatomical texts – and has succeeded handsomely. The diagrams add considerably to the interpretation of the neighboring text. One could comment upon each individual chapter, but I am not going to do so, believing it not within the remit of an individual asked to write the foreword, but being in the realm of a reviewer.

The reader may be either a ‘tearer’ or a ‘saver’ when it comes to professional journals. If one color-codes articles and gives them a page number, relevant to a condition described within this book, then one can – dare one say – write the reference number in the margin of the relevant material in the text. In this way, a cross-reference system will grow on its own, with or without a computer.

Herein, the triumvirate of editors has assembled much that is new in the literature, as well as some material that has originally been published in journals. Nevertheless, it is all brought together – for the cat. New procedures and techniques are described, as well as old techniques that have been melded to fit the necessity of the feline traumatized patient. Neophytes to veterinary orthopedics, to trauma in general and the cat in particular, would do well to engage themselves deeply in all that has been written by the cadre of accomplished authors, garnered by the editors, to produce a text that may be used by newcomers to the field who would do well to absorb the material between these covers. To the veterinarian experienced in trauma and orthopedics, I respectfully suggest that you too will find useful ideas and information within. I did!

Learning is but an adjunct to ourself (Shakespeare, Love’s Labour’s Lost).

Finally .looking back over the nearly 60 years of my professional life, I believe that it is mandatory for me to presume to pass on some of that experience by making what one considers some cogent and, one hopes, sagacious advice. I believe that it is mandatory that before attempting to employ a new technique it should be practiced on a cadaver or the clinician should receive instruction alongside someone already vested with experienced in its use. Know your own limitations and do not be afraid to refer the patient to a specialist. In so doing the neophyte to the endeavor will become better advised as to the progress that has been made in the treatment of particular problems. That having been said, in a genuine and dire emergency any method to resolve a critical situation is eminently defendable.

Sometimes the limitations of the owners’ ability to fund a procedure may negate its use. In this text, in some instances, you will see different methods for the treatment of the same problem – some more expensive than others. After reading the results of the different techniques available for your choice, some more expensive than others, only one’s conscience remains to decide what is to be done.

This new addition to the veterinary literature should be exceedingly helpful to all clinicians finding themselves with a traumatized cat on their examination table.

Geoff. Sumner-Smith DVSc(Liv) MSc FRCVS

University Professor Emeritus of the University of Guelph

Ontario, Canada

This, the first edition of the text Feline Orthopedic Surgery and Musculoskeletal Disease is a work long overdue. The nuances of feline anatomy, physiology, and behavior in conjunction with the cat’s unique responses to disease, surgery, and medications deserve special attention. The aforementioned distinctive characteristics create special challenges when designing and implementing adequate and effective anesthesia and analgesia protocols for cats. Compared to dogs, for example, cats are more easily stressed, oftentimes difficult to restrain, even for minor medical procedures (intravenous catheter placement), harder to intubate orotracheally, easily overdosed or overanesthetized, and more frequently found to be hypotensive and hypothermic. Their size and temperament alone predispose them to accidental drug-related side-effects.

The importance of vigilance, dosing accuracy, and familiarity with species differences in relationship to the anesthetic and analgesic drugs and techniques used in cats cannot be overemphasized. Recent data assessing anesthetic-related mortality suggest that approximately 1:400 (0.24%) anesthetized cats die and that age, weight, procedural urgency, endotracheal intubation, and fluid therapy increase risk. The mortality rate associated with anesthesia in cats is much greater than in dogs and argues for greater vigilance and improved methods for detection of deleterious changes in the cat’s physical status during anesthesia. Importantly, the routine use of monitoring devices including, but not limited to, an electrocardiogram, pulse oximeter, and indirect arterial blood pressure decrease anesthetic risk.

Most cats that have suffered an orthopedic injury are stressed, in pain, and dehydrated. Those that have incurred significant injuries secondary to trauma often sustain extensive soft-tissue damage, blood loss, and infection. Those that have experienced severe head or chest wall trauma in addition to appendicular injuries may exhibit signs of central nervous system (stupor, depression), respiratory (labored breathing), or cardiovascular (arrhythmias) problems.

The feline orthopedic surgical candidate presents special anesthetic risks, requires intense analgesic care and provides ample opportunity for the utilization of specialized monitoring equipment and techniques. Towards this end Dr. Kaestner has written two chapters devoted to the anesthetic and analgesic care of the feline orthopedic patient. These chapters provide detailed and clinically applicable information regarding the clinical pharmacology, monitoring, and analgesic care of cats. Figures, tables, and boxes provide key background information. Anesthetic techniques, monitoring equipment, and common anesthetic problems and their therapy are discussed. A comprehensive list of analgesic drugs, drug dosages and analgesic techniques including local and regional analgesia are described and illustrated. Dr. Kaestner has provided the necessary basic applied information required to produce safe and effective anesthesia and analgesia in cats.

William Muir DVM, PhD, ACVA, ACVECC This hardcover book is the work of an international group of specialists with wide experience in the field of feline orthopaedics. These authors are to be congratulated on achieving all their stated objectives and producing a book that it is not only beautiful, but also useful. P.M Montavon January 2010

"This is a beautifully illustrated book witha wealyh of information on aspects of all feline Orthopaedics, musculoskeletal and neurological diseases."    Orthopaedics in cats April 2010

"This is a beautifully illustrated book, with a wealth of information on all aspects of feline orthopaedic, musculoskeletal and neurological disease. Given the increase in cat ownership in the UK, and the emerging awareness of their orthopaedic diseases, it provides a useful reference for general practitioners and orthopaedic specialists." Veterinary Record, April 2010

"The illustrations and clear writing make it a pleasure to drop into."

Veterinary Record, April 2010

"This excellent book should really be considered an essential textbook of feline orthopaedics and traumatology. In its more than 500 pages, all aspects of feline orthopaedics are discussed, which provides the reader with a comprehensive overview of the subject...Each chapter is supported by references as well as the authors' own experience with novel techniques and original material...This textbook is highly recommended for recent grauates, practitioners, residents as well as orthopaedic surgeons."

EJCAP, December 2011

"With the expansion of knowledge  in this field and the rise of the cat, not just as a pet, but as a valued member  of the household, any comprehensive work on feline orthopedics has to be a welcome addition to the practice bookshelf...If you are new to the world of orthopedics and cats form your primary caseload, this probably the book for you."

Vet Record, July 2012