Maximizing the Minimum Database: Diagnostics with a Twist in the Tail
.25 Credit Hour / Veterinarians & Veterinary Technicians
Overview:
As we know in veterinary medicine, the owner-provided history and even the physical exam findings frequently do not provide us with the details needed to understand our patients’ underlying medical issues. In this podcast, we will discuss the importance of obtaining objective lab data from our patients to make accurate diagnoses and appropriate treatment plans, using a case example of a dog with an unusual presentation and some unexpected twists in her diagnostic work up. Key pointers will be shared about urinalysis and hematology to raise awareness and confidence around proper interpretation of important pathologic findings. As well, the case discussion will highlight the teamwork of the technician and veterinarian that is essential in maximizing laboratory diagnostics.
Learning Objectives:
- Justify the need for objective lab data to understand our patients’ underlying pathologic conditions
- Understand the importance of performing a complete minimum database for proper interpretation of reported abnormalities
- Investigate abnormalities that can result in pigmenturia
- Work through an algorithm for interpretation of anemia
- Appreciate the essential role veterinary technicians play in our diagnostic teams
Holly Brown, DVM, PhD, DACVP
Holly is a veterinarian, board-certified clinical pathologist, and figurative hand-holder. She practiced small animal medicine before, during, and after her specialty training — grateful to have combined her love of clinical practice and the laboratory diagnostics that support it. Holly remains in the trenches at a general, referral, and emergency practice. She loves making an impact at the interface of laboratory data and patient care. Holly recently transitioned into her new role as Chief Veterinary Educator for Antech Diagnostics — exercising her passion for delivering education about maximizing diagnostic testing. When away from the office, she enjoys traveling with her family, snuggling her sugar-sweet bird dog and tripod cat, and dreaming of home renovations that rarely come to fruition.
Host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA
Dr. Christman is the Chief Veterinary Officer at Fetch dvm360®, the nation’s leading multimedia company in the veterinary profession. He is an international speaker on leadership, wellbeing and motivation. Author of, “Honey, Have You Squeezed the Dachshund?”, Dr. Christman is passionate about helping pet parents with pet disabilities. He is a social media personality with almost 600,000 followers on TikTok. Dr. Christman is the host of dvm360®’s, “The Vet Blast Podcast”. He continues to practice relief work both in shelter medicine and private practice. If you don’t see him hosting the Fetch conferences, you can find Adam hanging with his four adorable dachshunds. He is a fitness enthusiast and avid Disney fanatic. You can find out more information at www.dradamchristman.com
As an avid social media influencer for animal health care, he has over 800K followers on TikTok and 53K followers on Instagram. He loves to engage with fellow pet parents and veterinary professionals across social media. Christman is an advocate of Pride VMC and Pawsibilities. He is also the proud dog dad to 4 dachshunds and believes no one should be deprived of the incredible human-animal bond.
This course is RACE-approved for 0.25 CE credit hour in jurisdictions that recognize RACE approval.
This CE program is sponsored by Antech.
