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Veterinary Specialty Boards Reading Lists, Washington State University

Compiled reading lists designed to assist veterinary residents with preparation for the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Recognized Specialty Veterinary Organizations (RSVOs) examinations.

American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS) Reading List

This is only a convenience copy of the ACVS reading list to help find copies of reading materials in local libraries.  It does not replace the official ACVS reading list. Candidates are responsible for ensuring they use the latest ACVS reading list.

This guide contains the list of books and journals recommended as study materials for the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS) examination.

Residents are responsible for ensuring they are using the correct edition of a book for their exam.

Please ask your librarian, mentor, or specialty board examination committee if questions arise.

Source:  ACVS Certification Examination Reading List

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This resource updated: 06/08/2023

This is only a convenience copy of the ACVS reading list to help find copies of reading materials in local libraries.  It does not replace the official ACVS reading list. Candidates are responsible for ensuring they use the latest ACVS reading list.

"The following references and books are suggested reading for preparation for the 2021 Phase I examination. Other textbooks and current references may be pertinent. Page numbers refer to print textbooks. Digital versions may have different page numbers." 

Selected References for Small Animal Surgery 

Phase I portions of Johnston and Tobias

Please note that if no page numbers are given, the entire chapter is included

Selected References for Large Animal Surgery 

This is only a convenience copy of the ACVS reading list to help find copies of reading materials in local libraries.  It does not replace the official ACVS reading list. Candidates are responsible for ensuring they use the latest ACVS reading list.

"The following references and books are suggested reading for preparation for the current Phase I reading list, for preparation for the 2021 Phase II examination. Other textbooks and current references may be pertinent. Knowledge of basic and applied anatomy is assumed. Page numbers refer to print textbooks. Digital versions may have different page numbers."

Selected References for Small Animal Surgery 

Knowledge of basic and applied physiology, pharmacology, anesthesia, and basic applied anatomy is assumed and should be reviewed in an appropriate text; for example, from the Phase I reading list:

Selected References for Large Animal Surgery 

Journals

"The majority of questions come from literature published in the last five years. For example, if you are taking the 2024 examination, questions will primarily come from literature published in the range of August 1 2018-July 31 2023 (five years) and August 1 2020-July 31 2023 (three years). Questions may also come from older articles considering significant and essential to the knowledge of the veterinary surgeon."

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

Journals for Small Animal Surgery Candidates

For the last five years:

For the last three years:

Journals for Large Animal Surgery Candidates 

For the last five years:

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