Diagnostic and therapeutic algorithms in internal medicine for dogs and cats

The problem-oriented approach (POA) is the method recommended by the College of Internal Medicine to address and resolve medical questions and problems. Hence the idea of creating a book based on algorithms dealing with the main clinical and laboratory canine and feline clinical abnormalities, using an innovative perspective.Each one of the 85 algorithms guides the reader step-by-step with logical, practical, cost-effective options to proceed from a general concern, laboratory abnormality, or imaging finding to a specific diagnosis or treatment. A concise summary is provided on the first page of each topic, the algorithm follows, and then succinct explanations are provided for many of the recommended steps within each algorithm. In this book, two useful and innovative aspects were included: color codes and links for additional information within the algorithm. Yellow indicates the diagnostic path, red the diagnosis and blue the therapy; this allows the veterinarian to be guided through the diagnostic labyrinth in order to reach the most appropriate therapy. Inside the red boxes, the list of differential diagnoses for each problem can quickly be identified. By following the yellow boxes one can understand how to reach these diagnoses, and optimize the diagnostic protocol. Moreover, comprehensive notes, linked to the algorithms by references, give more details regarding a specific diagnostic investigation, a particular disease or the therapy recommended.