Zoobiquity by Barbara Natterson-Horowitz and Kathryn Bowers
Reviewed by Steven
Did you know that dinosaurs got cancer? Did you hear about the alcoholic monkey? How many great white sharks would you challenge to impress all the cool sea otters? Most people, doctors included, are woefully unaware of how alike human and animal physiology actually are, and a more complete understanding of veterinary medicine could unlock the mystery of many confounding human behaviors. For example, adolescent antelope also rebel against their parents and engage in risky behavior, while three-toed sloths make some of the most obnoxious helicopter parents on Earth. In Zoobiquity, Barbara Natterson-Horowitz, M.D. and Kathryn Bowers suggest a more interdisciplinary approach to medicine, whereby a wider channel of communication is established between doctors and veterinarians in order to better comprehend the universal science of health and healing.
Barbara Natterson-Horowitz, M.D. had been treating human patients, lecturing on cardiovascular physiology, and developing advanced imaging techniques for more than two decades before a charismatic emperor tamarin in cardiac arrest opened her eyes to the possibility of a unified theory of medicine. Kathryn Bowers is a former staff editor of Atlantic Monthly and diplomatic journalist at the United States embassy in Moscow. Their fascinating collaboration has yielded a charming gem of scientific writing in Zoobiquity. Selected as a Discover magazine Best Book of the Year, Zoobiquity expertly guides the reader through the labyrinth of medical science with its immanently readable, fast-paced, investigative intrigue. Perfect for anyone with an interest in medicine, video clips of cute goats, or both, this expedition into the inner workings of nature will captivate and surprise medical neophytes and hardened professionals alike.
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Zoobiquity is now in paperback and available on our shelves and via bookpeople.com.
BookPeople 
As a veterinary technician, I’ve been hearing little buzzes about human medicine finally giving some attention to veterinary. Human doctors have to know one species, whereas veterinarians have to know the physiologies of several. And if they are exotic vets…wow. There’s a bit of snobery and adament seperation between both practices, but imagine if there was something of a sisterhood, or collabaration between the two. The last veterinary conference I went to held a lunch detailing a new partnership between the Ovarian Cancer Society and veterinarians. It was pretty amazing. Thanks for posting this book! It’s one I’m eager to read!
Reblogged this on Of Words and Writing and commented:
I just discovered this post so haven’t read the book yet (though I did add a sample to my beloved kindle!). As I work in veterinary medicine, think it’s a stellar concept I’m looking forward to delving into.