From Vague to Vital: Diagnosing Josies Illness

Course overview

Dogs are notorious for eating things they shouldnt, contributing to gastrointestinal (GI) signs such as diminished appetite, vomiting, or diarrhea. Severe and/or persistent signs raise concerns for the possibility of foreign body ingestion with obstruction, especially if the patient has a known history of indiscriminate eating. While recurrent or chronic intermittent GI signs may also attend dietary indiscretion or even partial obstruction, the differential diagnosis list can be extensive and includes a host of non-gastrointestinal conditions. Josies story illustrates a problem-oriented approach to the diagnosis of vague and intermittent gastrointestinal signs including vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy, beginning with a minimum laboratory database, then adding specialty tests and imaging. Her case highlights how the Catalyst Cortisol Test enables rapid, in-clinic screening and diagnosis, supporting timely clinical decisions. Josies story emphasizes the importance of considering hypoadrenocorticism Addisons disease in dogs with nonspecific signs and demonstrates how integrated diagnostics can clarify complex cases.