Veterinary differential diagnosis lookup by clinical sign
Look up a presenting sign in a dog or cat and get the differential diagnoses grouped by body system, with the findings that support or argue against each, the next test, and a citation to the literature.
- Polyuria and polydipsia (PU/PD) in dogs and catsIncreased urination with increased drinking (PU/PD).
- Seizures in dogs and catsReactive, structural and idiopathic causes of seizures.
- Abdominal distension in dogs and catsGas, fluid, an enlarged organ or a sagging abdominal wall.
- Icterus in cats and dogsYellow skin, sclera or gums from bilirubin.
- Pale gums (pale mucous membranes) in dogs and catsPale gums from anemia or poor perfusion.
- Hematuria (blood in the urine) in dogs and catsBlood in the urine, from kidney to urethra or a bleeding disorder.
No sign matches.
How the differentials are chosen, grouped and cited
Each sign page starts with how to confirm the sign is real, because many presenting complaints have mimics. Then the differentials are grouped by body system or mechanism, not ranked. How likely each one is depends on the species, age, sex, history and region of the patient in front of you, and a page cannot see those.
For every differential, the page lists what supports it, what argues against it, and the next test. Each of those statements carries a numbered citation to a peer-reviewed article or consensus statement, linked on PubMed. Consensus statements are used wherever one exists, such as the international task force work on canine epilepsy[1], the ACVIM statement on immune-mediated hemolytic anemia[2] and the iCatCare guidelines on feline lower urinary tract disease[3].
Every page includes a worked example, a fictional case labeled as one, that shows how the list narrows once the history and first tests come in. The site covers dogs and cats only, and it contains no drug doses.
Differentials during the exam
Vetinuity built this site. Vetinuity is a veterinary clinical assistant: it follows the conversation in the exam room and the findings you dictate, and lists the differentials and recommended diagnostics for that patient, each with a journal citation, while you are still with the pet. When the owner speaks another language, it interprets the visit live, owner to vet and back, in any of 80+ languages. The first 14 days cost nothing: start at vetinuity.ai.
Frequently asked questions
Are the differentials ranked by likelihood?
No. They are grouped by body system, because likelihood depends on the signalment and history of the patient.
Why are there no drug doses on this site?
The site is about reaching a diagnosis. Doses depend on the patient and the product and belong in a current formulary.
Which species does the site cover?
Dogs and cats.
Where do the citations come from?
Peer-reviewed veterinary articles and consensus statements, each linked to its PubMed record.
Sources
- De Risio L, Bhatti S, Munana K, et al. International veterinary epilepsy task force consensus proposal: diagnostic approach to epilepsy in dogs. BMC Vet Res. 2015;11:148. PMID 26316175 · doi:10.1186/s12917-015-0462-1
- Garden OA, Kidd L, Mexas AM, et al. ACVIM consensus statement on the diagnosis of immune-mediated hemolytic anemia in dogs and cats. J Vet Intern Med. 2019;33(2):313-334. PMID 30806491 · doi:10.1111/jvim.15441
- Taylor S, Boysen S, Buffington T, et al. 2025 iCatCare consensus guidelines on the diagnosis and management of lower urinary tract diseases in cats. J Feline Med Surg. 2025;27(2):1098612X241309176. PMID 39935081 · doi:10.1177/1098612X241309176