Approaches to the teaching of veterinary parasitology face two major challenges. First, the quantity of data describing any given parasite can be overwhelming, if not indigestible, for students. Second is the urge to write more and more about less and less, which is the bane of those who write textbooks intended to be used by students. To meet these challenges the editors of this volume have opted to be selective in the choice of topics in an effort to make the book readable, rather than comprehensive. Essentials of Veterinary Parasitology provides an up-to-date resource for students and practicing veterinarians on how to recognize, diagnose and treat parasitic diseases in livestock and companion animals. Featuring full-colour illustrations and a user friendly layout, it begins with a section dedicated to the fundamentals of veterinary parasitology and ends with a section on the prevention of parasitic infections entailing recent developments in our understanding of the pathogenesis and control of parasitic diseases. In-between are sections on important parasitic infections in livestock organized by the parasite agents - helminths, protozoa and arthropods - plus a section on diagnostic parasitology. This book is an essential reference for veterinary students, practicing veterinarians and researchers in the field of parasitology.