BY: TESSA HAYMAN AND MADISON CHARRON CHAPTER 18 DIAGNOSIS 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? 1 st - Case is presented to vet Cases begin with a thorough history 2 nd - 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 1 st 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