Selection and interpretation of diagnostic testing

Abstract

It has been said that making a diagnosis is the most difficult undertaking of humans. It can be easy with an overwhelming case to run a battery of diagnostic tests searching for an answer in a challenging case. Further, it can be tempting to enter into a herd-level diagnostic undertaking without a real plan for what to do with the results. As veterinarians, it is our responsibility to perform diagnostic tests with strategy and a plan for each of the possible outcomes. This is what separates us from layper­sons who submit samples directly to a diagnostic lab expecting a printout with a plan.