A dog with vomiting and diarrhea

Veterinarian · Who you talk to: The owner

Two days of vomiting and loose stool in an adult dog. Stomach and intestinal disease ranked third and fourth for dogs.

What this case adds

Assess hydration and body condition before anything else.
Order tests in a logical progression and explain why.

Critical fails

Jeopardizing the health and well-being of the animal through action or inaction: fatal flaw, zero for the station.
Handling the animal in an unsafe or inhumane way: penalties up to dismissal from the station.
Recording a finding that is not actually present: points are lost.
A correct treatment plan for a differential list that misses the right diagnosis: points are deducted.

The full checklist of this mold, step by step with its official sources: Consult: the owner's story, physical exam and diagnosis.

Sources

AVMA ECFVG, Manual of Administration for the Clinical Proficiency Examination, 2025 edition, Small Animal Medicine (SAM01) https://ebusiness.avma.org/Files/Downloads/ecfvg/Candidate_Moa.pdf
Nationwide, Most common conditions that prompt veterinary visits (data from more than 1.1 million insured pets) https://news.nationwide.com/032822-most-common-conditions-that-prompt-veterinary-visits/

Making Synapses is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by the AVMA, the ECFVG or Nationwide. ECFVG is a trademark of its owner and is named only to describe what this mold practices; always follow your veterinarian's guidance for your own pet.

Consult: the owner's story, physical exam and diagnosis