Educational Resources
Clinical Cases & Quizzes
Explore real-world small animal mobile practice cases, detailed decision-making steps, and interactive quizzes designed to support clinical reasoning for veterinarians, new graduates, and veterinary students.
Case Study: Canine Chronic Cough
- Signalment: 10yo FS Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Chief Complaint: Honking cough, worse at night
- History: Progressive over 3 months, mild exercise intolerance
- Findings: Grade IV/VI systolic murmur, mild tachypnea, tracheal sensitivity
- Problem List: Chronic cough, Cardiac murmur, Exercise intolerance
- Differentials: MMVD with left-sided heart failure vs. Collapsing trachea
- Recommended Diagnostics: Thoracic radiographs (3 views), BP, ECG, NT-proBNP
- Summary: Initiation of furosemide and pimobendan pending results; environmental airway management.
Clinical Reasoning Quiz
1. Based on the signalment and murmur, what is the most likely underlying cause of the cough?
A) Kennel Cough
B) Myxomatous Mitral Valve Disease (MMVD) - CORRECT
C) foreign body aspiration
D) Primary lung tumor
2. Which diagnostic test is highest priority in a mobile setting for differentiating cardiac from respiratory cough?
A) CBC/Chemistry
B) Bronchoscopy
C) Thoracic Radiographs - CORRECT
D) Fine needle aspirate of the heart
3. How should you discuss the prognosis of MMVD with the client during the house call?
A) State it is fatal immediately
B) Explain it is a manageable chronic condition with proper medication - CORRECT
C) Advise that no treatment is necessary
D) Refer for heart transplant
Clinical Reasoning & Mobile Practice Cases
Explore real-world small animal mobile practice cases, decision-making steps, and interactive quizzes designed to support clinical reasoning for veterinarians, new graduates, and veterinary students.
Case Study #01
Canine Chronic Cough
- Signalment: 10-year-old FS Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Chief Complaint: Progressive, hacking cough, worse at night.
- History: Grade III/VI murmur noted 2 years ago.
- PE Findings: HR 140bpm, grade IV/VI murmur.
Problem List: Murmur, cough.
Differentials: MMVD, Bronchitis.
Next Diagnostics: Radiographs.
Management: Diuretics.
Clinical reasoning: Interactive Quiz
1. Which diagnostic is the highest priority?
- A) Tracheal wash
- B) Thoracic Radiographs (Correct: Assess heart size)
- C) NT-proBNP Snap Test
2. If radiographs show VHS 11.5, what is the most likely diagnosis?
- A) Kennel Cough
- B) Stage C MMVD (Correct: Significant enlargement)
- C) Tracheal Collapse
3. How would you explain the nighttime cough?
- A) Fluid shift and heart pressure changes (Correct)
- B) Environmental allergies
- C) Thirst
Clinical Reasoning Quizzes
Challenge yourself with our clinical reasoning quizzes. These assessments focus on decision-making, diagnostic selection, and clinical communication for mobile practice scenarios. Ideal for veterinarians, new graduates, and veterinary students.
Question 1
Based on the findings for our canine chronic cough case, which diagnostic test should be performed first in a mobile setting?
A) Refer for immediate CT scan
B) Thoracic Radiographs [Correct]
C) Empowered trial with antibiotics
D) Bronchoscopy
Question 2
What is the most likely differential for a senior small breed dog with a goose-honk cough and normal cardiac auscultation?
A) Tracheal Collapse [Correct]
B) Congestive Heart Failure
C) Blastomycosis
D) Kennel Cough
Question 3
When discussing chronic management of tracheal collapse, which lifestyle change is most effective?
A) Switching to a grain-free diet
B) Increasing high-intensity exercise
C) Weight loss and harness use [Correct]
D) Continuous humidification of the home