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A
A.I. - artificial insemination/artificial breeding
Analgesic - a class of medications used for the relief of pain and discomfort
anal sac expression - emptying the anal sacs which are glands beside the anus and secrete foul smelling fluid causing the "doggy odor"
anesthesia - loss of pain sensation
anesthetic - drug that puts animal completely asleep for surgery
anorexia - lack of appetite/not eating
anthelmintic - dewormer
anticonvulsant - medications used to control seizures
antiemetic - prevents or controls vomiting
artificial tears - used for "dry eye" or a lack of tear production
avian - birds

B
Bacteriology - study of bacteria
Biopsy - the removal of tissue for laboratory exam. Also called histopathology.
Bloat - a term referring to the build up of gas in the stomach or intestines. A serious emergency in deep chested dogs and may indicate a twisted stomach.
blood chemistry - a blood test to monitor the functions of many organs in the body
serum profile - a series of blood screening tests
Bordetella - one organism that causes "Kennel Cough" in dogs.
Bovine - cattle
Brucellosis - highly infectious disease that causes high rate of abortion in cattle herds not vaccinated. Ingested through feed, water or contact with contaminated milk or urine. Also causes reproductive diseases in dogs.
BUN - blood urea nitrogen test/lab test to check kidney function.

C
cadaver bags - body bag
calcium - major mineral in blood and tissues; stabilizes rhythm of heart and controls activity of muscles
canine - dogs
caprine - goats
castration - removing of male sex organs
cataracts - "fogging" of the lens within the eye causing partial or total blindness.
CBC - complete (white and red) blood cell count
CBC with differential - Complete Blood Count with a differentiation of the different types of white blood cells present in the bloodstream.
Cherry Eye - a prolapse of the third-eye lid gland in the inside corner of the eye, happens frequently in Cocker spaniels. Can be replaced with surgical sutures. Removal no longer recommended as can cause KCS "dry eye" later on.
Chorea - muscular twitches resulting from Canine Distemper Virus Infection.
Coccidiosis - an intestinal infection by a one-celled organism called "Coccidia" which causes diarrhea. Common in puppies.
controlled substances - medications that contain narcotic substances.
Convulsion - seizures or fit
Corona Virus - viral intestinal infection causing diarrhea.
cruciate ligament repair - knee surgery to repair torn ligaments.
culture and sensitivity - bacterial culture used to determine which bacteria are present in an infection, and which antibiotics are effective.
Cystotomy - opening the urinary bladder surgically
Cytology - viewing cells from skin, blood, ears or aspirated lumps under a microscope

D
Declaw - removal of the claws in cats
Dermatitis - inflammation of the skin
DHLPP - distemper/hepatitis/lepto/parainfluenza/parvo series of vaccinations in puppies. Annual booster in adult dogs
diagnostics - this can include blood workup, ECG, x-rays, urinalysis, cultures, biopsy, stains, etc. (tests to determine cause of abnormalities)
diarrhea - loose stools because of increased water content
Distemper(canine) - generalized viral infection in dogs affecting respiratory and nervous systems. Often fatal.
Distemper (feline) - Panleukopenia, or generalized viral infection of cats. Often fatal. Symptoms include vomiting and diarrhea.
Disk disease - refers to the intervertebral disk(s), which are normally soft and cushion the vertebrae. A calcified disk may rupture and cause paralysis or paresis. Xrays help diagnose disk disease.

E
Eclampsia - convulsions caused by a low blood calcium level in nursing bitches or queens, which can kill the mother if not treated as an emergency.
Ectropion - condition where the lower eyelid droops
ECG (EKG) - electrocardiogram; an instrument that displays the electrical conductivity of the heart in graphic form
Electrolytes - the mineral constituents of the blood. Part of the data reported on the blood profile results. (e.g. calcium, phosphorus, etc.)
Emesis - vomiting
Entropion - eyelid rolls into the eyes
Enucleation - removal of the eye
Equine - horses
Estrus - heat, the time a female may mate and become pregnant
Euthanasia - the cessation of life. Humanely killing an animal.
eye fluorescein stain - a test to determine if the clear surface of eye (cornea) has been scratched

F
Feces - stool
Feline - cats
Feline Distemper - Feline panleukopenia-causes a severe anemia and intestinal problems.
Feline Leukemia (FeLuk) - A very debilitating viral infection in cats. Highly contagious, often fatal.
Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) - a viral disease in cats-usually fatal
FIV - Feline immunodeficiency virus - causes symptoms similar to Feline Leukemia
Fluids - any medication given for hydration purposes
fungal culture - test for the presence of fungal organisms
FVRCP - a vaccine for a complex of respiratory infection in cats, as well as feline panleukopenia-given in a series to kittens, and annual boosters in adults

G
Gastrointestinal - refers to the stomach and intestinal tract
Gastrotomy - stomach surgery
Geriatric - referring to elderly pets; usually 7 years or older for dogs and 9 years or older for cats
Glaucoma - increased pressure build-up within the eyeball. Leads to blindness in many instances if not treated. Life long therapy is needed.

H
HBC - hit by a car
Heartworms - adult worms live in the right chambers of the heart. The female adults discharge microfilaria into the dog's blood stream where they can live up to 3 years. Transmitted by mosquitoes. Mosquito bites infected animal, ingesting the microfilaria which then change into infective larvae which migrate to the mouth parts of mosquito and then are transferred back in to the next dog bitten. The larvae migrate to the dog's heart, grow into the adult worms.
Heartworm test - a blood test to determine the presence of microfilaria in the blood stream or the presence of adult heartworms without filaria.
Heartworm test-occult - another means of testing for the presence of heartworms. Symptoms:coughing and weight loss caused by adult worms in the heart, but no microfilaria in the bloodstream. Hence, normal heartworm test shows up negative.
Hematoma - blood clot; very common in ears of dogs and cats
Hepatitis - an often-fatal virus disease of dogs that affects the liver.
histopathology (biopsy) - tissue sample frozen, cut, stained, studied
hot spot - moist eczema, or localized skin inflammation

I
IM - Intramuscular ( usually refers to route of injection)
Incoordination - inability to control movements
IV - intravenous (injection route)

K
KCS - "Dry Eye"- lack of normal tears (Keratoconjunctivitis Sica) production.Causes the outer surface of the eye to "dry out" and become prone to infections and pigment scarring.
Kennel cough - respiratory tract infection in dogs. Very contagious.
Keratitis - infection of the cornea (clear part of the eye)

L
Laceration - skin cut
Leptospirosis - a bacterial disease of dogs affecting the liver and kidneys

M
Mastectomy - breast removal
Mastitis - inflammation of the breast or udder.
Metritis - infection of the uterus.
Mismate - injection to cause abortion.

N
Necropsy - autopsy, examination after death to determine cause.
Neuter - term sometimes used instead of castrate

O
Ophthalmic - eye
orthopedic surgery - bone surgery
otitis - ear infection, many causes, use cytology, culture, video scope to determine cause and treatment
ovariohysterectomy (OVH) - removal of the uterus and ovaries, commonly called "spay"
ovine - sheep

P
Pancreatitis - inflammation of the pancreas, may have vomiting abdominal pain.Many cases caused by feeding too much fat.
Paracentesis - removing fluid out of a body cavity, such as the abdomen
Paralysis - inability to move
Parasites - living organisms that infect another animal.
Paresis - weakness
Parvovirus - viral infection of the gastrointestinal tract causing diarrhea and death.
PCV - Pack Cell Volume (microhematocrit) - a blood test to check for anemia. Measures the amount of RBC's in the blood.
penrose drain - drain used to allow excess fluid to exit a wound site.
Phlegm - mucus that accumulates in the throat and is often gagged up
Pneumonia - inflammation and infection of the lungs
pneumonitis (feline) - a bacterial respiratory infection that often causes severe conjunctivitis, caused by Chlamydia
porcine - swine, pigs
post mortem - after death-often abbreviated for autopsy.
prostate gland - a portion of the reproductive tract in male dogs. Located next to the urinary bladder. Common causes of urinary problems in older intact male dogs.
Pseudocyesis - false pregnancy; the body reacts as if pregnant but is not (mammary glands develop, behavior may change)
purulent - "pus-like"
pyometra - severe infection of the uterus

Q
Quadriplegic - paralyzed in all four legs

R
Rabies - viral infection of the nervous system, it attacks all warm-blooded animals. Usually fatal to dogs, cats, livestock, and humans.
rabies exam - a test done by State labs to check for the presence of the rabies virus in suspected animals. Done postmortem.
Radiographs - "x-ray" pictures of the internal structures of the body.
reversible agent - medication which can be neutralized by another agent
rhinotracheitis - nose and throat infection.

S
Schiotz Tonometer - an instrument used to measure pressure of the eyeball for glaucoma
Schimer Tear Test - a diagnostic tool to measure tear production.
Seborrhea - dry, scaly skin (dandruff) or greasy inflamed skin
Sedative - a class of medications similar to anesthetics, used to produce a tranquilized or soothing effect.
S.G.P.T. (A.L.T) - blood test to monitor liver function
Sharps - this refers to needles, blades, etc.
skin scraping - form of cytology to examine skin under the microscope
splint - limb support; (arm, leg, etc.)
"steroid" (Corticosteroid) - medications very commonly used to reduce soreness, swelling and discomfort.
subcutaneous (S.Q.) - injected under the skin
sutures - "stitches"

T
Testosterone - male hormone
thyroid profile - measures T3/T4 levels
T3/T4 - forms of thyroid hormone
thyroid stimulating test - Thyroid Stimulating Hormone Response Test. (TSH)
tie - when dogs mate, they become "tied" together for a short time
tonsillitis - inflammation of the tonsils
topical - anything applied to the body surface of the patient (ointments, gels, etc.)
toxoplasmosis - an intestinal parasite in cats. They get it from rodents. People can get toxoplasmosis more commonly from eating undercooked meats.They can also get it by handling litter boxes from infected cats and not washing their hands afterwards.
Tracheobronchitis - an inflammation/infection of the air passages down to the lungs

U
Urinalysis - testing of urine for the presence of urinary infection, stones, kidney tumors, etc.
URI - upper respiratory infection
UTI - urinary tract infection
Urolithiasis - urinary crystals, or urinary bladder stones

W
WBC - white blood cell count, part of the CBC
Woods Lamp - an instrument used to test of the presence of fungal infections of the skin
Worms - internal parasites

COMMON ABBREVIATIONS USED

SID - once daily
BID - twice daily / every 12 hours
TID - three times / every 8 hrs
QID - four times /every 6 hrs
PRN - as needed
RVR - return visit required
EOD - every other day
OS - left eye
OD - right eye
P.O. - orally (per os)
Q - every (and # that follows)