Veterinary Terms Dictionary
Acute
Having a sudden and generally severe onset. See also chronic.
Allergen
Substance that causes an allergic reaction, e.g., pollen.
Anorexia
Loss of appetite.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL), Medial
Collateral Ligament (MCL)
Major ligaments at the knee of the rear leg.
Anthelmintic
Medication which kills certain types of intestinal worms; dewormer.
Antibody Titer
A measurement of the amount of antibodies in the blood. The test to measure antibodies
is usually performed by making a number of dilutions of the blood and then measuring
at what dilution there is sufficient antibody to react in the test. For example,
a titer of 1:8 (one to eight) means the blood can be diluted to one part blood and
seven parts saline and still produce a positive reaction in the test. The higher
the titer (1:16 is higher than 1:8), the more antibody is present.
Atopy
An allergy to something that is inhaled such as pollen or house dust. Also called
'inhalant allergy'.
See articles in the Allergies section
Beta-carotene
A plant pigment which can be converted to Vitamin A by many animals, but not by
cats.
Biopsy
Surgical removal of a small amount of abnormal tissue, usually of tumors, for diagnosis.
Bloat
A condition in dogs caused by twisting of the stomach that traps gases and contents.
Calcified
The hardening of tissue through the influx of calcium, usually as a result of chronic
inflammation.
Calorie
The unit of measurement of energy derived from digested food. Fat contains about
twice as many calories per gram as protein or carbohydrate.
Cardiomyopathy
Diseases of the heart muscle; does not include diseases of the valves of the heart
or congenital defects.
Carnivore
An animal whose natural diet includes meat.
Carrier
Animal which harbors an infectious organism, such as a virus, bacteria or parasite.
The animal does not appear ill but can still transmit the organism to other animals
by direct contact or releasing the organisms (bacteria, protozoa, viruses) into
the environment in the stool, urine, respiratory secretions, or vaginal discharges.
Cataract
A cloudiness of the lens of the eye, reducing vision and giving the eye a pearly
appearance.
Chronic
Of a long duration: a chronic illness persists for weeks, months, or even for the
life of animal. See also acute.
Clotting factors
Protein components in the blood which help it to clot. Clotting is a complex mechanism.
In addition to platelets, clot formation is the result of a long chain of chemical
reactions carried out by individual molecules called 'clotting factors'. Each factor
is numbered such that factor I leads to a reaction with factor II forming a new
substance. This then reacts with factor III and so on to factor XII.
CNS
Central nervous system. Includes the brain, spinal cord, and the nerves leading
from them.
Coagulation
The process of clotting.
Cognitive dysfunction
A common medical condition in older dogs that results from abnormal brain function,
causing certain behavior changes such as disorientation, housebreaking problems,
and changes in sleeping patterns and interactions with others.
Coma
Being in a state of unconsciousness.
Congenital
A characteristic of an animal that is present at birth. It may be inherited or induced
by events that occur during pregnancy.
Culture
The process in which a sample of fluid or tissue is taken from an animal and placed
in special media which allows the bacteria, virus, etc. to grow (reproduce) in the
laboratory.
Cyst
An abnormal sac structure containing fluid.
DEA
Drug Enforcement Administration. The federal agency which regulates the manufacture,
dispensing, storage and shipment of controlled substances including medications
with human abuse potential.
Dermatitis
An inflammation of the skin.
Diabetes
A metabolic disease caused by failure of the pancreas to produce insulin, a hormone
that allows blood sugar (glucose) to be taken up by cells that require it for function.
Type I Diabetes
A form of diabetes in which so little insulin is produced that supplemental insulin
must be given for the animal to live. Also called insulin dependent diabetes mellitus
(IDDM).
Type II Diabetes
A type of diabetes mellitus in which although the blood glucose levels are higher
than normal, they are not immediately life-threatening, and the animal can survive
without supplemental insulin. Also called non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus
(NIDDM).
Digestibility
Expressed as a percent, is a measure of the content of food that is retained in
the body after food is eaten. The difference between the weight of food eaten and
the weight of stool produced, divided by the weight of the food.
Distemper (Canine)
A viral disease that caused a severe and often fatal systemic illness in dogs and
their close relatives. Distemper is also fatal in animals such as raccoons, and
mustelids including skunks, mink and ferrets.
Dysplasia
An abnormal tissue development, common in the bones of the canine.
See also Hip Dysplasia
Ear Canal
The tube that connects the external ear with the ear drum.
Ear Drum
The membrane that divides the outer ear from the inner ear, where the mechanism
of hearing takes place. The membrane prevents infection from reaching the inner
ear, as well as vibrating to amplify sounds.
Ear Mites
Small parasitic insects that live in the ear canal of an animal, and that are able
to survive outside the ear for only very short periods of time.
Echocardiogram
The image produced by performing an ultrasound examination of the heart.
Ectoparasite
A parasite that lives on the outside surface or skin of another animal. Ectoparasites
include fleas, ticks, lice, and mange mites.
Ectopic
Non-malignant tissue growing in an unusual location (e.g., an ectopic pregnancy
is conception of a normal embryo outside the normal location, which is the uterus).
Electrocardiogram (EKG)
A printout of an analysis of the electrical activity in the heart.
Elbow Dysplasia
See Fragmented Coronoid Process
Electrolyte
Chemically, an element when dissolved in water, will cause the solution to transmit
electricity. In medicine, certain elements in the blood which are critically important
to life, including sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium and phosphorous.
Emesis
Vomiting.
Endoscope
A long flexible instrument which can be passed into the body to view various structures
through the use of fiber optics.
Entropion/Ectropion
Condition of the eyelids where they roll in or out from the eyeball.
Enzymes
Enzymes are special proteins produced by cells which cause chemical changes in other
substances, but which are not themselves changed in the process.
Esophageal reflux
a condition in which stomach contents move backward into the esophagus, i.e., heartburn.
Estrogen
A female hormone produced by the ovaries, which results in the onset of estrus.
Exotic
An animal not native to the geographical area where it is living.
Flatulence
Increased stomach or intestinal gas.
Flea Dip
A solution made to kill fleas, applied to an animal and not rinsed off, to allow
it to have residual action.
Foreign body
Any abnormal substance within the body. Examples include wood slivers, ingested
cloth, balls, glass in the feet, etc.
Fragmented Coronoid Process
Small piece of bone broken off the ulna , often referred to as elbow dysplasia.
Gastritis
Inflammation of the stomach.
Gastroenteritis
An upset of the gastrointestinal system usually from ingestion of toxic or non-food
items, causing acute vomiting and diarrhea which can lead to severe dehydration.
Gastrointestinal tract
Pertaining to the stomach and intestines. The term 'digestive system' includes the
mouth, gastrointestinal tract, anus, pancreas, and liver.
Gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV)
is also known as "bloat," "stomach torsion," or "twisted stomach. GDV is an extremely
serious condition, and should be considered a life-threatening emergency when it
occurs. Dogs can die of bloat within several hours. Even with treatment, as many
as 25-33% of dogs with GDV die.
Glaucoma
Increased pressure within the eye, very painful and can lead to blindness.
Heartworm
A species of parasitic worm that lives and reproduces in the chambers of the heart
of an animal. Microscopic, immature worms (microfilariae) circulate in the blood
and are taken in by mosquitoes that bite the animal. Microfilariae mature in the
mouth parts of the mosquito and infect another susceptible animal bitten by the
same mosquito.
Hemorrhage
To bleed excessively; may be the result of injury or blood clotting abnormalities.
Hepatitis
An inflammation or infection of the liver.
Hernia
The protrusion of an organ through an abnormal opening.
High titer vaccine
A modified live vaccine that contains a higher number of virus particles than the
'average' vaccine. High titer vaccines can generally elicit an immune system response
in young animals who have a maternal antibody level that would prevent them from
responding to an 'average' vaccine.
Hip Dysplasia
Ball of the hip joint is not properly seated in the socket of the pelvis.
See also Dysplasia
Immune-mediated reactionor disease
A condition or disease caused by abnormal activity of the immune system in which
the body's immune system either over-reacts (e.g., immune-mediated contact dermatitis)
or starts attacking the body itself ( e.g., autoimmune hemolytic anemia). Related
to 'Autoimmune'.
Immune system
The body's defense system which recognizes infectious agents and other 'foreign'
compounds (such as pollen), and works to destroy them.
Immunity
A condition in which the animal's immune system has been primed and is able to protect
the body from a disease-causing agent such as a certain virus or bacteria. An animal
could have immunity to one agent, such as parvovirus, but not have immunity to another
agent, such as rabies.
Immunization
The process of rendering an animal protected (immune) against a certain disease.
Vaccination is a way to produce immunization. However, just because an animal has
been vaccinated (received a vaccine) does not necessarily mean the animal is immune.
If the body did not correctly react to the vaccine or if the vaccine was defective,
immunity would not occur. No vaccine produces immunity in 100% of the population
to which it was given. 'Vaccination' is not the same
as 'immunization'.
Immunodeficiency
Reduced function of the immune system of an animal, making it more susceptible to
infectious disease. Can be an inherited defect or caused by drugs, radiation or
viruses.
Immunostimulant
A compound which stimulates the immune system to work more effectively to kill bacteria,
viruses or cancer cells.
Immunosuppressive
Something, for instance a drug, hormone or virus, that reduces the function of the
immune system of an animal.
Infestation
A term used to describe an invasion of parasites.
Inflammation
A condition in which tissue reacts to injury and undergoes changes during the healing
process. As an example, a toe with a sliver of wood in it would be inflamed and
show the signs of inflammation which include redness, increased temperature, pain,
swelling and a loss of or disordered function. The toe is swollen, red, hot, painful,
and the animal is reluctant to walk on that toe.
Inherited
A trait passed from one generation to the next in the genes from each parent.
Insulin
A hormone produced by the pancreas which is necessary for glucose to be able to
enter the cells of the body and be used for energy.
Intramuscular
Into the muscle (IM).
Intranasal
Into the nose.
Intravenous
Into a the blood stream via a vein.
Iris
The colored portion of the eye is called the iris. As with humans, dogs' iris colors
vary. In the center of the iris is the black opening called the pupil. This opening
can be made larger or smaller by muscles called ciliary bodies, that attach to the
colored iris, causing it to expand or contract.
Isoflavone
A estrogen-like substance produced by pasture plants; a type of phytoestrogen.
Jaundice
The condition in which there is a build up of waste products in the body called
bilirubin. Bilirubin is yellow in color, therefore an animal with jaundice will
have yellow gums, skin (often seen on the inside flap of the ear), and a yellowish
cast to the 'whites' of the eyes. It can occur if a large number of red blood cells
are destroyed, the liver is not functioning normally, or the bile ducts are blocked.
Large Intestine
The lower part of the intestinal tract, usually made up of the colon, cecum and
rectum. Bacteria that live harmlessly in the large intestine help to digest complex
carbohydrates.
Legg-Perthes Disease
Blood supply to the hip joint is disrupted causing degeneration in the joint.
Liver Shunt
Abnormal condition where the blood bypasses the liver.
Lymph Nodes
Part of the immune system of an animal. Small masses of tissue that contain white
blood cells called lymphocytes. Blood from the nearby area is filtered through the
lymph node allowing foreign or infectious material to be recognized and destroyed
if possible.
Malignant
A process that does harm to nearby tissues. Usually synonymous with cancer, a tumor
that grows quickly and spreads both in the original area where it occurred and in
remote parts of the body.
Malnutrition
Ill health due to dietary deficiency or imbalance.
Mammary
Pertaining to the breast.
Mange
Any of several skin and ear conditions caused by a variety of mites.
Mast cell tumor
A nodular growth, usually on the skin, which involves cells (mast cells) which contain
large amounts of histamine and normally play a role in allergic reactions. All mast
cell tumors in dogs should be considered potentially malignant.
Meal
When referring to food ingredients, means a ground-up preparation. Chicken meal
is ground up chicken, which might include bones and feathers. Meat meal means ground
up muscle meat.
Medial Collateral Ligament
(MCL)
See Anterior Cruciate Ligament.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI)
substances that inactivate the enzyme monoamine oxidase which regulates certain
transmitter chemicals between nerves. These compounds include certain types of antidepressants
and also insecticides containing amitraz (such as Mitaban and Preventic collars).
Neuter
Sterilization by surgical removal of the testicles of a male animal.
Nocturnal
Animals that are active during the night and sleep during the day.
Nutrient
Compounds in foods which are essential for life. Nutrients include protein, fats,
vitamins, minerals, etc.
Obsessive compulsive
A behavioral condition in which a pet repeatedly performs an action out of context.
It is thought that the behavior is an expression of stress, frustration and/or conflict.
Certain breeds more prone to these behaviors. The behaviors include tail-chasing,
some cases of excessive barking, continual licking, and biting the air as if snapping
at an invisible fly.
Off label
Term used to describe the use of a medication for a condition for which it was not
FDA approved. A large number of medications used in veterinary medicine are used
'off label'. If veterinarians only used FDA approved medications, options for treatments
of certain conditions would be severely limited or nonexistent. The safety and efficacy
of off-label uses of medications is often determined in university research settings,
but the manufacturer of the drug does submit the results or go through the elaborate
FDA approval process.
Over the counter
Can be purchased without a prescription, like aspirin and vitamins.
Pancreatitis
Inflammation of the pancreas, a severe and sometimes life threatening disease often
associated with eating fatty foods. Symptoms include vomiting and a painful abdomen.
Parvovirus A
contagious disease affecting the intestinal lining in dogs but is more severe to
puppies. Parvo causes diarrhea and can infect the heart.
Patellar Luxation
Dislocation of knee cap of the hind legs
Pet Insurance
Health insurance for pets that covers costs of veterinary treatments and procedures,
typically for accidents and illnesses.
Plaque A
build-up of bacteria, saliva and food on the teeth. Also known as 'Tartar'.
Pneumonia
In dogs or cats, refers to inflammation within the lung tissue. Pneumonia can be
caused by an infection or irritation in the lungs.
Post-operative
After surgery.
Pulmonary edema
Fluid accumulation in the lungs.
Pulmonary emboli/embolism
Blood clot that travels to the blood vessels in the lung and obstructs them.
Rabies
A fatal virus disease of warm blooded animals including man, that affects the brain
and is spread in the saliva of infected animals. Rabid animals have a temperament
change. Wild creatures become bold enough to attack human beings, and docile domestic
animals may turn on their owners.
Sarcoma
Cancer in connecting tissues. In dogs and cats sarcoma usually refers to tumors
in the soft tissue.
Seizure
Abnormal muscle spasms and sensations which are a result of unusual nerve activity
in the brain.
Separation anxiety
A behavioral condition in which the pet becomes anxious when separated from the
owner. Dogs with separation anxiety tend to 'shadow' their owners, greet them exuberantly
when they return after being gone, and sometimes vocalize, chew destructively, and
urinate or defecate when separated from their owners.
Septic
A condition caused by an infection e.g., with bacteria or fungi, or toxins they
produce.
Spay
Sterilization by surgical removal of the ovaries and uterus of a female animal.
Titer
A measurement of the amount of antibodies in the blood. The test to measure antibodies
is usually performed by making a number of dilutions of the blood and then measuring
at what dilution there is sufficient antibody to react in the test. For example,
a titer of 1:8 (one to eight) means the blood can be diluted to one part blood and
seven parts saline and still produce a positive reaction in the test. The higher
the titer (1:16 is higher than 1:8), the more antibody is present. (NOTE: The word
'titer' may also be used when discussing the amount of antigen present, e.g., a
high titer vaccine has a large number of virus particles.)
Ulcer
A lesion in which the tissue surface is eroded away.
Ultrasound/ultrasonography
A technique used to get the image of a deep structure within the body by directing
ultrasound waves at it and recording the reflections (echoes) from it.
Vaccination
The act of giving a vaccine. See also 'immunization'
since the two words have different meanings and are often confused.
Virus
The smallest form of life, invisible with an ordinary microscope. An infectious
unit that enters and uses cells of plants or animals for replication. Some viruses
cause disease in animals or plants.
Whelping
In dogs, the act of giving birth.
