Canine/feline clinical management Vital vocabulary Canine/feline clinical management

signalment A description of distinctive features for purposes of identification Usually includes age, color, breed, and reproductive status Ex: Bonnie, a 2 yr old, silver/tan, female, spayed Yorkie Ex: Ricardo, a 6 month old brwn/wht, intact, male English bulldog

History(Hx) Relevant information gained from the client about the patient that can help with diagnosis and treatment Clinical signs/Abnormal behavior Vaccine history/flea/heartworm prevention Living space(s)/recent travel Other pets in environment Current medications or recent hospital visits

Presenting complaint Why the client brought the patient in Also known as the chief complaint The owner saw something disturbing that they felt warranted a vet visit Vomiting Nasal discharge/sneezing/coughing Diarrhea Seizure Dog/fight – laceration The OWNER saw something (you might have to speak to them a couple times to get full complaint)

Next step: Diagnostics This will depend on what is found during physical exam and after obtaining the full history Diagnostics include: Complete blood cell count (purple tube) Serum chemistry (green tube)

Complete blood count (CBC) A diagnostic test that determines the exact numbers of each type of blood cell in a fixed quantity of blood – HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH ORGAN FUNCTION Neutrophils Platelets Monocytes Lymphocytes Eosinophils Basophils Red blood cells Over all heath (anemia and infection)

SERUM CHEMISTRY/ORGAN FUNCTION TEST Diagnostic test that records levels of certain enzymes and electrolytes so that organ function can be assessed NOT THE SAME AS A CBC Normally used in conjunction with a CBC to get an overall look at what is going on with the patient

diagnosis This is your answer as to what is wrong with the pet Abbreviation: DX The decision reached as a result of a physical examination and diagnostic tests The answer to, “so what does he have?” Can be presumptive or definitive

Differential diagnoses (DDX) Description(s) of what the condition could be with the most plausible cause listed at the top of the list For example, there are several issues that can cause vomiting/diarrhea. Example: K9 parvovirus, pancreatitis, hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, intestinal parasites, irritable bowel syndrome, foreign body, etc. The history, signalment and physical examination will determine the order of the choices

Supportive therapy A broad form of treatment that is used to soothe clinical signs when there is no definitive cure Very common mode of treatment for viral infections Usually includes hospitalization, IV fluid therapy, antibiotics, etc

prognosis A forecast of the probable outcome of a disease/condition Excellent Good Fair Guarded Poor Grave Excellent and good: most likely to recover Fair: Likely going to recover Guarded: Depends Poor: Bad prognosis, less of a chance Grave: Not a good prognosis at all