We invite submissions for a new brief communication format designated Diagnostic Exercise, which we believe will broaden the appeal of the Journal. Cases submitted as diagnostic exercises should be designed to inform the reader about species or conditions not often encountered, at least by a substantial number of veterinary pathologists, or topics not well covered by standard, readily available texts and review articles. Examples include diseases that do not occur in North America, whether due to natural distribution or to vaccination or eradication programs; diseases of non-domestic species; laboratory animal cases, including conditions encountered in genetically engineered mice and other induced models; and unusual diseases of common domestic animals. Exercises involving classic diseases of domestic species may be considered if exceptionally well prepared.
Unlike case reports that are published in Veterinary Pathology, a submission to Diagnostic Exercise need not contain significant new information. Many case reports are submitted to Veterinary Pathology that do not meet this criterion. Authors of such reports are encouraged to consider submitting them instead to the Diagnostic Exercise column. Diagnostic Exercise submissions will be informally reviewed on an ad hoc basis, rather than formally reviewed as are traditionally published case reports.
Cases prepared for submission as diagnostic exercises are limited to six double-spaced pages and should include the following:
Title
Author name(s) and affiliation(s)
E-mail address of senior or corresponding author
Background
History, gross findings, and laboratory results
Differential diagnoses
Microscopic findings
Images (One color plate will be printed without charge.)
Diagnosis
Discussion
References
