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Erhalten einer Diagnose für Hunde-und Katze-Krankheiten an ThePetCenter.com.

What†™s die Diagnose?

durch: T. J. Dunn, jr. DVM
Dieser Artikel erschien in einer neuen Ausgabe der Hundeweltzeitschrift

Ich muß mit diesem Thema empfindlich sein, weil sicher ich selbst schuldig gewesen bin. Bei Gelegenheit während meiner Dreißigjahr Karriere als kleiner Tierpraktiker hat es einige Fälle gegeben, die mir dargestellt werden, wo ich den Patienten und die Inhaber nach Hause ohne a sendete Diagnose. Ich weiß, daß es täglich alle über Amerika geschieht und ich so schuldig wie der folgende Tierarzt dieses Misdemeanor gewesen bin. Während der letzten vier Jahre der antwortenden Tausenden HaustierGesundheitspflegefragen über email bin ich zur festen Zusammenfassung, obwohl gekommen, daß sie weit zu häufig geschieht.

Ist hier, was geschieht: Ein Haustier wird dem Tierarzt mit irgendeiner Art der Krankheit dargestellt, wird das Haustier überprüft, ist Medikation †œtried†�, und der Haustierinhaber verläßt ohne Verständnis, von was das Problem war und von was die Medikation vollenden soll. Das heißt, erhielten sie nicht eine DIAGNOSE. Plus, haben sie Medikation für †œsomething†�.

Der Haustierinhaber, in Erwiderung auf durch ein Freund â œWhat€ gefragt werden tat den Tierarzt sagen, daß es war? †� kann dem sicheren â œI†™m€ nur antworten nicht… etwas über ihre Leber, ich schätzen; aber she†™s erhielten einige Pillen, die helfen sollen. Wenn sie isn†™t besser in einer Woche, die wir zurückkommen müssen und he†™ll Versuchnoch etwas .†�

Dieser Haustierwärter hat nicht eine Diagnose, aber was sie hat, ist eine Menge Vertrauen, die der Tierarzt gut weiß und die alle gut ausarbeiten und jene kostspieligen kleinen Pillen bildet ihren Hund besser. I†™d mögen zu jeder vorschlagen, das diese Wörter liest, die, wenn Sie ein krankes Haustier einem Tierarzt darstellen, bevor Sie das doctorâ ™s€ Büro verlassen Sie erhalten eine DIAGNOSE . You have a right and an expectation to have the doctor tell you what is the most probable CAUSE of the dog’s malady. “Something wrong with the liverâ€� is not a diagnosis; you need to know what that “somethingâ€� is! There’s a huge difference among various liver disorders such as metastatic cancer, bile duct blockage, fatty infiltration, toxins, and infectious agents… so that word “somethingâ€� really has no meaning. A diagnosis is made when you know what that something is… and it is up to your veterinarian and you to do whatever is required to solve the mystery of the malady.

You must understand, however, that sometimes a diagnosis can only be made through somewhat in-depth diagnostic techniques such as blood chemistry profiles, contrast radiography, ultrasound evaluation and possibly even exploratory surgery. And it is a fact of life that you will be expected to pay for any diagnostic tests that are needed. I know that my own dogs are worth whatever it takes to maintain their health. (Never be timid about getting an estimate of charges before proceeding, though. Nobody likes surprises when it comes to the cost of services.) It may be unreasonable of the pet owner to expect a diagnosis after a ten-minute physical exam unless the malady really is simple and straightforward.

One of the most common situations where the pet owner exits the animal hospital without a diagnosis involves the “itchy dog�. Far too often, our canine friends suffering from chronic skin problems are presented, examined, given cortisone to “stop the itching�, and are seen again in six weeks for the same problem. The diagnosis of a “skin allergy� is only a partial diagnosis (and a mis-diagnosis if sarcoptic mites are involved); you need to know to what the dog is allergic in order to have a diagnosis of Allergic Dermatitis. I wonder how many people leave the veterinarian’s office with the idea that their dog is allergic to “something� and those pills or injections “should help�? Well, what if your dog is allergic to corn and all you have to do is change to a food that has no corn? Or what if sarcoptic mites are causing all that itching and the cortisone is actually making the situation worse?
Read Dr. Dunn’s published article on DOGS THAT ITCH AND SCRATCH.

You are paying the veterinarian to tell you what is wrong with your dog and to receive suggestions for correcting what is wrong. Before you leave the clinic you need a diagnosis, only then can an effective treatment suggestion be given.

It does happen, too, that your local veterinarian may not have the skill or diagnostic techniques to achieve a diagnosis. That’s exactly why Specialists in Veterinary Medicine are fast becoming everyone’s best friend. I have been very thankful on many occasions that my clients were able to visit a specialist when my diagnostic abilities have been challenged. Ophthalmology, surgery, dermatology, radiology, nutrition and many more disciplines have certified veterinary specialists with advanced training, knowledge and diagnostic equipment at your service; you and your veterinarian should take advantage of a specialist whenever reaching a diagnosis proves to be difficult. You owe it to the patient!

I had to take my own little dog to two specialists (and spent nearly $1,500) in order to confirm what I suspected was a neurological problem; it turned out that through the use of a CT Scan by a Specialist in Veterinary Radiology we were able to pinpoint the defects in the bone development in the skull and spinal column that was contributing to the main problem of hydrocephalus. I have often wondered what the progress of this case would have been if the little patient wasn’t my own but rather was owned by a client. Would they have lost faith in my attempts to reach a diagnosis? Would they have taken it to a specialist? Would I have ever known about those bony defects that only showed up via CT Scan? Would the little patient be happy and alive today, as she is, if there had not been a determination and commitment to obtain a DIAGNOSIS?

There’s more information about health care issues in dogs and cats in ThePetCenter.com Exam Room.

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