MVM User Guide
The MVM is organized into sections that focus on discussions of each body system and its specific disorders, or that focus on a special topic of significance in veterinary medicine, such as behavior, exotic and laboratory animals, management and nutrition, or toxicology. Coverage is straightforward and practical, with explicit recommendations given for treatment whenever possible. The succinct discussions also serve to give users enough information so that they have a good foundation for seeking out and understanding more detailed information available elsewhere.
The first half of these sections covers all body systems, including discussions of disease etiology, diagnosis, treatment, control, and prevention. The second half addresses special topics.
• A number of abbreviations and symbols used routinely throughout the site are listed here. Other abbreviations used in the content are defined at their first use in a topic.
• Generic (nonproprietary) names of drugs are used in most instances.
• Search is the best way to locate specific discussions of a disease, condition, or syndrome for which the name is known.
• The first half of the Manual’s content is arranged into anatomic systems, and specific conditions are located in the system that is primarily affected. Conditions that may affect more than one system are covered in the section Generalized Conditions (GEN). The second half of the Manual covers special topics or disciplines.
• The authors, reviewers, editors, and publisher have made extensive efforts to ensure that treatments, drugs, dosage regimens, and withdrawal times are accurate and conform to current standards. However, constant changes in information resulting from continuing research and clinical experience, reasonable differences in opinions among authorities, unique aspects of individual clinical situations, and the possibility of human error in preparing such an extensive reference require that the user exercise individual judgment when making a clinical decision and, if necessary, consult and compare information from other sources. In particular, the user is advised to check the product information currently provided by the manufacturer of each drug before prescribing or administering it, especially if the drug is unfamiliar or is used infrequently. Many of the drug dosages given are considered extra-label usages, which require a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship. Veterinarians should also be familiar and comply with the regulations set forth by the Veterinary Feed Directive.