Lecture 5: Diagnosis

Question 1

What is a “Presumptive or Clinical Diagnosis”?

Answer 1

Dx based on history or clinical findings of physical examination

Question 2

When would it be okay to use a Presumptive or Clinical Diagnosis?

Answer 2

Pathognomonic signs witnessed;

when we want to use Empirical Therapy

Question 3

When would we want to use Empirical Therapy?

Answer 3

When the disease diagnosed commonly responds well to a particular therapy;
When the client doesn’t have money for any other diagnostics

Question 4

What is a “Definitive or Aetiological Diagnosis?

Answer 4

identifies the SPECIFIC CAUSE of disease; in our case ALSO the specific BACTERIA!!

Question 5

When do we want to use a Definitive or Aetiological Diagnosis?

Answer 5

very young animal
seriously ill animal
suspected infection in difficult to treat site or one with severe consequences of accessing it
no predictable susceptibility of suspected organism
no earlier therapy has worked
if there is an Outbreak of disease in herd situation

Question 6

What are ways we can get a specific diagnosis?

Answer 6

Sample and Culture
Detection of specific Antibody
Detection of specific Antigen
Detection of DNA

Question 7

When is the best time to collect a sample?

Answer 7

ACUTE stage of infection

BEFORE antibiotics are administered

Question 8

What should be considered before collecting a sample?

Answer 8

1. Can we treat with empirical therapy?
2. Best time to collect sample?
3. Where is the actual infection site?