From the front lines of modern medicine, "Tell Me Where It Hurts" is a fascinating insider portrait of a veterinarian, his furry patients, and the blend of old-fashioned instincts and cutting-edge technology that defines pet care in the 21st century.

Reviews

Modern veterinary medicine is potently explored in this noteworthy debut by a staff surgeon at the Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston. The 24-hour romp Trout describes includes a riveting midnight foray into the operating room; compelling stories about individual patients (Sage, a ten-year-old German shepherd in need of emergency surgery; Woody, a geriatric Labrador diagnosed with aggressive cancer; Chunky Bear, a corpulent 40-pound cat; and Thor, a bisexual male boxer with profoundly pendulous breasts); and curious t?te-...-t?tes with demanding, devoted, and disgruntled pet owners. With refreshing frankness, Trout offers lucid observations on animal-human relationships ("Companion animals have moved from the periphery of the American family to its center in a love affair that has shifted the paradigm from accessory to necessity, from mere property pet to the status of an adopted child. Pet owners are now pet parents"). Trout thoughtfully considers the myriad of treatment options available for 21st-century pets, the impact of technology on the veterinary profession, and larger ethical and quality-of-life issues. Recommended for all libraries. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 11/1/07.]-Miriam Tuliao, NYPL Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information.

Though he practices veterinary medicine in Boston, Trout hails from the U.K., so it's fitting that fellow Brit, Simon Vance, narrates. At a couple of points early in the recording, Vance stumbles slightly in bringing to life a few minor figures with pronounced regional American accents. He quickly regains his stride and settles on a style that conveys exact emotions appropriate to the frenetic pace of a large urban animal hospital. With Vance's smooth delivery, Trout's informative asides about the state of his often romanticized and largely misunderstood profession flow nicely into the action. The dramatic tension reaches a climax worthy of ER or Grey's Anatomy, and Vance's portrayal of one family soap opera featuring a lonely widower hoping for a miracle to save the life of his beloved German shepherd and the man's type-A personality daughter angrily dismissing Trout as a misguided purveyor of false hope, proves especially electrifying. Simultaneous release with the Broadway hardcover (Reviews, Dec. 24). (Apr.) Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information.

“Fabulous . . . The best veterinary book that’s been written since "All Creatures Great and Small."” —"Oregonian"