Comparison of clinical and pathological diagnoses in dogs

Clinical and pathological diagnoses were compared in a prospective study of 145 dogs. A diagnostic work up had been performed on all dogs of which 36 (24.8%) died and 109 (75.2%) were euthanatized. In 119 dogs (82.1%) both a clinical and patholical diagnosis was made, in 20 dogs (13.8%) no pathological diagnosis could be made and in 6 dogs (4.1%) no clinical diagnosis was established. In the 119 dogs the agreement level between clinical and pathological diagnosis was scored by the referring veterinarian together with a pathologist. Total agreement was found in 61 cases (51.3%) and disagreement in 31 cases (26.0%). In the remaining cases (27=22.7%) the pathological diagnosis further specified the clinical diagnosis. Consecutive submission appeared difficult to achieve by the participating veterinarians. However, no major differences in agreement level was present between the veterinarian which succeeded in almost consecutive submissions and the other veterinarians. At necropsy 42 cases were diagnosed as neoplasia, of which 52.4% had been diagnosed clinically. As to infectious diseases 55.0% of these diseases diagnosed at necropsy had been diagnosed clinically. In about 20% of the cases the differences were of clinical significance according to the referring veterinarians. In addition, it was indicated by the clinicians that about 50% of the necropsies revealed findings which could amend future patient care. The results of the study stress the relevance of postmortem examination as crucial part of continuing education and of quality monitoring and assurance in veterinary medicine.