I subscribe to the Long Beach (California - where a huge piece of my heart is, another part left at the Old Pointe Loma Lighthouse) Animal Hospital's monthly e-newsletter. This month's main article is about The Diagnostic Process. I think it's very informative and wanted to share.
As veterinarians we are frequently asked how we can figure out what is wrong with a sick animal, especially when it can't talk to us. This is a good question, especially when you consider the large number of species we work on. Our patients can range from a 20 gram (it takes 454 grams to make up one pound) bearded dragon we have in the hospital at the moment, to a Great Dane that came in last week that weighs over 220 pounds.
To further add to this diagnostic dilemma, many different diseases have the same symptoms. As a matter of fact, it is so rare for a specific set of symptoms to occur in only one disease, that a medical term, called pathognomic (the G is silent when you pronounce this word) is used. Ultimately, it is our training and experience that allows us to come to a correct diagnosis.
It is a proper blend of the art and science of medicine. Our training starts in veterinary school, in essence, the same thing as medical school for humanoid doctors. Veterinary school is only the beginning though, and as thorough as it is, really just gives us a basic understanding o fthe disease process. It is in the years of practice after veterinary school that we learn the art of medicine.
Ultimately, making a correct diagnosis revolves around what we term the "diagnostic process". It is a methodical and thorough approach that takes into consideration several important parameters:
1. The type of pet and its age
2. Information on observations owner's have madeabout their pet's behavior
3. The results of a physical exam
4. The results of diagnostic tests
5. Whether or not the pet got better when treatment was started.
If you follow the "Medical Services" link from our home page you can learn much more about this area.
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From the doctors at the Long Beach Animal HospitalWWW.LBAH.COM 3816 E. Anaheim St. Long Beach, CA 90804 USA
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