Welcome  to D.A.S.H. This database contains hundreds of agents: infectious, parasitic, toxic and physical, and is intended to provide such information as the animal hosts that they affect, diseases they cause and clinical syndromes that animals present with. D.A.S.H. can be used in a variety of ways, such as to obtain a list of possible causative agents based on presenting syndromes, to determine the presenting syndromes caused by different agents, or to provide a list of agents affecting a specific body system of a specific animal host. These are just some of the many ways this informatics tool can be used, by veterinary student and practitioner alike.

This database is not intended to provide a diagnosis. It is rather an ancillary educational tool designed to help veterinary students realize the diversity of infectious and toxic agents and the results of the agent-host interactions. D.A.S.H. may assist in establishing differential diagnoses in particular species with specific presenting syndromes. However, the list of agents and syndromes is based largely on the DVM 2000 Professional Competencies of Canadian Veterinarians and undergraduate course notes at the Ontario Veterinary College and is not exhaustive. It does not contain diseases that are metabolic, nutritional or management related. Conditions likely to be encountered in North America are emphasized.

This site is work in progress and the content may change over time. The development team welcomes constructive suggestions and comments.

Please refer to Search Help for details on how to use this database and on how to maximize your search capabilities.