1. Canine/feline clinical management
Vital vocabulary
Canine/feline clinical management

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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)

5. 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)

6. 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)

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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