THE HANDBOOK OF FELINE ENDOCRINOLOGY

An expanding percentage of the general population live in dense urban environments more suitable to indoor cats than dogs. Families with a pet cat are increasing and the number of veterinarians asked to provide high quality care cannot be over emphasized. However, “small animal” veterinarians, for the most part, continue to provide care for both dogs and cats. These veterinarians feel insecure regarding diagnosis and treatment of endocrine conditions in cats. The most common endocrine disorders of dogs are among the least common endocrine conditions in cats. The most common endocrine conditions in cats are rare in dogs: hyperthyroidism, type-2 (non-insulin dependent) dia- betes mellitus, and growth hormone excess (acromegaly). Despite these discrepancies, authors often use dogs as models for similar conditions in cats. These veterinarians are searching for correct, up-to-date, cost-effective, logical, and practical information on cats. They need and want relatively inexpensive texts that focus on one sub-specialty in one species. Focused “handbooks” are well received. They provide the veterinarian with the greatest likelihood trying the book out and then continuing to use it, which means being satisfied with their purchase.