BY: TESSA HAYMANAND MADISON CHARRON

CHAPTER 18DIAGNOSIS OF DISEASE

PAIR SHARE

• How do vets diagnose a disease in an animal?

VOCABULARY

• Signalment- basic description of an animal presented for evaluation

• Borborygmi- normal noise made in an animal’s intestinal tract as gas and fluid move

• Ophthalmoscope- instrument used to observe the structures in the interior of the eye

• Packed cell volume- rapid test that provides the % of blood composed of red blood cells

• Chemistry panel- test that often evaluated blood sugar, electrolytes, protein, liver and pancreatic enzymes, bilirubin, and nitrogen-containing wastes

VOCABULARY CONTINUED

• Complete blood cell count- test that evaluates red blood cell (RBC) count, amount of hemoglobin, number of platelets, total white blood cell count, and a breakdown of the types of cell present

• Serology- measurement of the presence of antibodies against a specific organism

• Examination-a detailed inspection or investigation

• Stethoscope- instrument for listening to the action of someone's heart or breathing

• Palpation-used as part of a physical examination in which an object is felt to determine its size, shape, firmness, or location

HOW DO VETS DIAGNOSIS DISEASES?

• 1st- Case is presented to vet• Cases begin with a thorough history

• 2nd- Vets develops a systematic approach in order to reach diagnosis• Vet asks questions that guide the process of

making the diagnosis• Questions should be based on the species of

animal

SIGNALMENT

• A vet must learn the basic description of the animal or signalment• Includes:• Name or number of the animal• Age• Breed• Sex• Reproductive status• Use of activity

REASON FOR EXAMINATION

• Vet provides the chief complaint reason why the animal is being presented for examination

• Vet inquires about home remedies, asks specific questions, and controls the flow of history

PHYSICAL EXAMINATION

• Physical exam all of the organ systems are evaluated in order to determine the underlying cause• Stethoscope is used• 1st step: General Appearance • Vet pays attention to the animal’s…• Awareness/attitude• Body condition• Movement: lameness, ataxia

VITAL SIGNS AND CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM

• Vital signs• Vet evaluates animal’s…• Temperature• Pulse• Respiration• Capillary refill time, color of mucous membranes• Hydration status

• Cardiovascular system• Vet checks the animal’s…• Heart: sounds, rhythm• Pulses: strength, regularity• Blood vessels• Swellings

RESPIRATORY SYSTEM AND DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

• Respiratory system• Vet checks…• Respiratory sounds: lungs, trachea, airways• Respiratory difficulties/difficulties breathing

• Digestive system• Vet evaluates…• Manure: amount, color, odor, consistency• Abdominal palpation: abnormal masses, pain• Kidneys, urinary bladder, spleen, and liver are felt

• Rectal exam• Mouth exam: teeth

MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM AND NERVOUS SYSTEM

• Musculoskeletal system• Vet checks the animal’s…• Movement of head, neck and legs• Swellings• Symmetry between legs

• Nervous system• Vet checks the animal’s…• Awareness• Coordination• Eyes: structure, reflexes• Ophthalmoscope is used

• Cranial nerves and reflexes• Peripheral nerves and reflexes

SKIN AND HAIR COAT, LYMPHATIC SYSTEM, AND MAMMARY SYSTEM

• Skin and hair coat• Vet looks at the…• General appearance• Hair loss• Sores, rashes

• Lymphatic system• Vet evaluates…• Lymph nodes: shape, size, pain

• Mammary system• Vet looks at…• Swellings• Milk characteristics

REACHING A DIAGNOSIS

• To reach a diagnosis, the case is evaluated• Diagnoses are ranked with the most likely causes

first • Confirm or rule out diseases Blood work,

urinalysis, radiology, biopsy, and pathology

BLOOD WORK

• Blood tests: Packed cell volume, complete blood cell count (CBC), chemistry panel

• Packed cell volume- rapid test that provides the % of blood composed of red blood cells• Monitors patients for changes

• CBC- evaluates red blood cell (RBC) count and total white blood cell (WBC) count• Evaluates infectious and inflammatory diseases

• Chemistry profile- evaluates blood sugar, electrolytes, protein, liver and pancreatic enzymes, bilirubin, and nitrogen-containing wastes• Helps rule out dehydration

URINALYSIS AND RADIOGRAPHS

• Urinalysis• Assesses the physical and chemical composition of urine• Evaluates the function of the kidneys

• Tests: urine sample• Evaluates hydration• Can determine kidney disease

• Radiographs• Help to look within the body• Evaluates bones • Rule out foreign bodies and tumors

• Types: X-ray, chest radiograph evaluate structures

BIOPSIES

• Biopsy• Submission of tissue sample to a laboratory for

evaluation• Determines the type of tumor and whether normal

tissue is present• Helps decide further treatment

• Benign tumor- a tumor that is not cancerous/ not harmful• No further treatment is required

• Malignant tumor- a tumor that is deadly and dangerous (cancerous)• Treatments include: radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery

PATHOLOGY AND SEROLOGY

• Pathologist• Recognizes normal and abnormal structures• Performs autopsies or postmortems, and biopsies• Autopsy- explains the cause of death

• Serology• Measures the presence of antibodies against a specific

organism • Positive result- animal has been exposed to the

organism• Negative result- occurs if the test is taken before the

animal has the opportunity to increase antibodies • To confirm diagnosis, animal is tested twice

DIAGNOSIS

• Information from the case history, physical exam, and testing help to reach diagnosis

• Once the diagnosis is confirmed, treatment begins

• If initial testing offers no clues towards diagnosis, addition tests are run