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
This resource updated: 03/24/2020
Source reading list reviewed: 2020
Source reading list updated by specialty board: August 2019
"The following reference and books are suggested reading in preparation for the 2018 Phase I examination. Other textbooks and current references may be pertinent. "
Equine Surgery by 
Veterinary Surgery: Small Animal Expert Consult by 
Equine Fracture Repair by 
Guyton and Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology by 
Cunningham's Textbook of Veterinary Physiology by 
Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia by 
Equine Anesthesia by 
Farm Animal Surgery by 
Diagnostic and Surgical Arthroscopy in the Horse by 
Small Animal Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics by 
Advances in Equine Laparoscopy by 
Dyce, Sack, and Wensing's Textbook of Veterinary Anatomy by Veterinary Surgery: Small Animal Expert Consult by 
Medical Physiology by Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia by Small Animal Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics by 
AO Principles of Fracture Management in the Dog and Cat by 
Anatomy of the Dog by
The following references and books are suggested reading in addition to the current Phase I reading list., for preparation for the 2018 exam. Othe textbooks and current references may be pertinent. Knowledge of basic and applied anatomy is assumed.
Guyton and Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology by Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia by 
Small Animal Surgery by Small Animal Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics by AO Principles of Fracture Management in the Dog and Cat by Veterinary Surgery: Small Animal Expert Consult by Anatomy of the Dog by 
Veterinary Surgical Oncology by "The majority of questions come from literature published in the last 5 years. For example, if you are taking the 2020 examination, questions will primarily come form literature published in the range of 11/01/2014-10/31/19. Questions may also come from older articles considered 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 veterinary journals includes:"
Equine Surgery by Guyton and Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology by Diagnostic and Surgical Arthroscopy in the Horse by Advances in Equine Laparoscopy by 
Joint Disease in the Horse by "The majority of questions come from literature published in the last 5 years. For example, if you are taking the 2020 examination, questions will primarily come form literature published in the range of 11/01/2014-10/31/19. Questions may also come from older articles considered 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 veterinary journals includes:"
