The following references and books are suggested reading for preparation for the 2010 Examination.  Other textbooks and current references may be pertinent.  Knowledge of basic and applied anatomy is assumed.

Selected References for Small Animal Surgery

1. Guyton AC, Hall JE: Textbook of Medical Physiology (11th Ed), Chapters 4-13, 20, 25, 30, 36-42, 49, 62-64, 70, W.B. Saunders Co., 2006.
2. Slatter D: Textbook of Small Animal Surgery (3rd Ed), Vol. 1 & 2, W.B. Saunders Co., 2003.
3. Lumb and Jones: Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia (4th Ed), Blackwell Publishing, 2007. Chapters 1-21, 26, 36-43, 45-50, 52-53.
4. Auer JA, Stick JA: Equine Surgery, Chapters 1-18, W.B. Saunders Co., (3rd Ed), 2006.
5. Fossum TW: Small Animal Surgery, Mosby Co. (3rd Ed), 2007.
6. Piermattei D, Flo G, DeCamp C: Brinker, Piermattei, and Flo's Handbook of Small Animal Orthopedics and Fracture Repair, (4th Ed), W.B. Saunders Co., 2006.
7. Beale BS, Hulse D, Schulz K, Whitney W: Small Animal Arthroscopy, W.B. Saunders Co., 2003.
8. Boothe DM: Small Animal Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics: Chapters 8 (Principles of antimicrobial therapy), Chapter 9 (Antimicrobial drugs) and Chapter 16 (Anti-inflammatory drugs), W.B. Saunders Co., 2001
9. Johnson AL, Houlton JEF, Vannini R: AO Principles of Fracture Management in the Dog and Cat, Chapters 1, 2, 3, 20, 27. AO Publishing, 2005.

Selected References for Large Animal Surgery

1. Auer JA, Stick JA: Equine Surgery, W.B. Saunders Co., (3rd Ed), 2006.
2. Slatter D: Textbook of Small Animal Surgery (3rd Ed), Chapters 1-23 and 125-133, W.B. Saunders Co., 2003.
3. Nixon AJ: Equine Fracture Repair, W.B. Saunders Co., 1996.
4. Guyton AC, Hall JE: Textbook of Medical Physiology (11th Ed), Chapters 4-13, 20, 25, 30, 36-42, 49, 62-64, 70, W.B. Saunders Co., 2006.
5. Lumb and Jones: Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia (4th Ed), Blackwell Publishing, 2007. Chapters 1-19, 22-23, 27-29, 36-41, 43, 45-47,50-53.
6. Fackelman GA, Auer JA, Nunamaker DM, eds. AO Principles of Equine Osteosynthesis, AO Publishing, 2000.
7. Fubini SL, Ducharme NG: Farm Animal Surgery, W.B. Saunders Co., 2004.
8. McIlwraith CW, Wright I, Nixon AJ, Boening KJ: Diagnostic and Surgical Arthroscopy in the Horse (3rd Ed). Mosby Ltd, 2006.
9. Boothe DM: Small Animal Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Chapters 8 (Principles of antimicrobial therapy), Chapter 9 (Antimicrobial drugs) and Chapter 16 (Anti-inflammatory drugs), W.B. Saunders Co., 2001
10. Stashak TS, Theoret CL: Equine Wound Management, (2nd Ed), Blackwell Publishing, 2008.

Selected Journals
Many journals contain articles pertaining to surgery (both human and veterinary) and should be perused for current literature.  A partial list of veterinary journals includes:

Journals for Small Animal Surgery Candidates

• American Journal of Veterinary Research
• Compendium on Continuing Education, including Web-only articles**
• Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association
• Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care
• Journal of American Veterinary Medical Association
• Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine
• Veterinary Clinics of North America (Small Animal)
• Veterinary Comparative Orthopedics and Traumatology
• Veterinary Surgery

Journals for Large Animal Surgery Candidates

• American Journal of Veterinary Research
• Compendium on Continuing Education, including Web-only articles**
• Equine Veterinary Journal & Supplements
• Equine Veterinary Education
• Journal of American Veterinary Medical Association
• Veterinary Clinics of North America (Food Animal Practice)
• Veterinary Clinics of North America (Equine Practice)
• Veterinary Surgery

The majority of questions come from literature published in the last five years.  For example, if you are taking the 2010 examination, questions will primarily come from literature published in the range of 01/01/05 – 12/31/09. Questions may also come from older articles considered significant and essential to the knowledge of the veterinary surgeon.

Free VLS e-Journals for Residents

**Residents can receive complimentary subscriptions to Veterinary Learning Systems’ online e-journals Compendium: Continuing Education for Veterinarians® and Veterinary Technician®. Register at www.vetlearn.com. Click on the Subscribe or Renew button in the upper left corner to complete the registration form.