Veterinary Glossary of Terms | Pet Health Definitions

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Veterinary Terms Explained:Your Pet Health Glossary

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Abacterial

"Abacterial" refers to a condition or environment that is free from bacteria, often used to describe sterile or non-infectious areas.

Abattoir

An abattoir is a facility where animals are humanely slaughtered for meat production, following strict animal welfare standards.

Abaxial

Abaxial: positioned away from the central line or axis of an animal’s body, often referring to limbs or appendages.

Abdomen

The abdomen is the body area containing pets' digestive organs, kidneys, and bladder, located between the chest and pelvis.

Abdominal breathing

Abdominal breathing in pets is when animals breathe using their abdominal muscles, often indicating respiratory distress or pain.

Abdominal cavity

The abdominal cavity is the space within the abdomen holding digestive organs, liver, kidneys, and more, protected by the abdominal wall.

Abdominal effusion

Abdominal effusion is the abnormal accumulation of fluid in a pet's abdominal cavity, often indicating an underlying health issue.

Abdominal wall

The abdominal wall is the layered structure of muscles and tissues surrounding the abdomen, protecting internal organs in animals.

Abdominocentesis

Abdominocentesis is a veterinary procedure where fluid is extracted from the abdominal cavity using a needle for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.

Abduct

Abduct: Movement of a limb away from the body's midline, often assessed in injury or musculoskeletal exams.

Abiotrophy (n.)

Abiotrophy: Progressive loss of cell vitality in animals, often affecting the nervous system, leading to tissue degeneration and impaired function.

Ablactate

Ablactate: Gradually weaning a young animal off its mother's milk onto solid food.

Ablate

Ablate: Surgically remove or destroy tissue, often to treat disease in animals.

Abomasopexy

Abomasopexy is a surgical procedure that fixes the abomasum (a cow's stomach part) in place to correct displacement.

Abomasums

The abomasum is the fourth, true stomach compartment in ruminants, responsible for enzymatic digestion before food enters the intestines.

Aboral

Aboral: Positioned away from the mouth, often used to describe the location or direction on an animal's body.

Abort

Abort: In veterinary context, it describes the premature expulsion of a non-viable foetus from the uterus before term.

Abortive

Abortive: In veterinary medicine, "abortive" refers to a condition causing the premature termination of pregnancy, resulting in a miscarriage.

Abrasion

An abrasion is a superficial wound on a pet's skin, typically caused by friction or scraping, exposing the underlying tissue.

Abscess

An abscess is a localised pocket of pus caused by infection, often resulting in swelling, pain, and redness in animals.

Absolute age

Absolute age refers to the exact calendar age of an animal, typically determined from birth records or microchip data.

Absorption

Absorption is the process by which nutrients and medications pass from an animal's digestive tract into the bloodstream.

Absorption rate

Absorption rate is the speed at which an animal's body takes in a drug or nutrient from food or medication.

Abundance

"Abundance" refers to the quantity of a specific organism, like parasites or bacteria, present in an animal's body or environment.

Abyssinian

The Abyssinian is a domestic cat breed known for its slender, elegant build and distinctive short, ticked coat.

Acariasis

Acariasis is an infestation of animals by ticks or mites, causing skin irritation, itching, and potential secondary infections.

Acaricide

Acaricide: A chemical agent used to kill mites and ticks on animals to protect their health and wellbeing.

Acarid

An acarid is a type of mite or tick, tiny arachnids that can infest animals, causing irritation or transmitting diseases.

Acarine

Acarine: A term referring to mites and ticks, which are small arachnids that can infest and harm animals.

Acclimate

Acclimate: The process of an animal gradually adjusting to changes in environment, temperature, or conditions to reduce stress and maintain health.

Acclimatization

Acclimatisation: The process by which animals adjust to changes in their environment, improving physiological functions to cope with new conditions.

Accommodation

Accommodation in veterinary medicine refers to the ability of an animal's eye to focus on objects at different distances by changing the lens shape.

Accredited herd

An accredited herd is a livestock group certified free from specific diseases after meeting rigorous testing and management standards.

Accuracy of selection

Accuracy of selection refers to how precisely animals with desired genetic traits are identified and chosen for breeding.

Acetabulum

The acetabulum is the hip socket in animals, where the head of the femur fits to form the hip joint.

Acetic acid

Acetic acid: A common antiseptic used in veterinary medicine to clean wounds and treat ear infections in pets.

Acetic bacteria

Acetic bacteria are microorganisms converting sugars into acetic acid, often found in spoiled pet food, potentially causing digestive issues.

Acetic fermentation

Acetic fermentation is a process where bacteria convert carbohydrates into acetic acid, causing odour changes in a pet's environment.

Acetone

Acetone is a chemical produced during fat metabolism, often detected in diabetic animals' breath or urine, indicating possible ketosis.

Acetonemia

Acetonemia, also known as ketosis, is a metabolic condition in animals characterised by elevated ketone levels, often affecting cattle and sheep.

Achalasia

Achalasia in pets is the inability of the lower oesophageal sphincter to relax, causing swallowing difficulties and possible regurgitation.

Achondroplasia

Achondroplasia is a genetic disorder causing dwarfism in animals, characterised by shortened limbs due to abnormal cartilage development.

Acid

In veterinary medicine, an acid is a substance with a pH less than 7, crucial for digestion and metabolic processes in animals.

Acid-fast

Acid-fast: Describes bacteria resistant to decolourisation by acids, crucial for diagnosing infections like tuberculosis in animals.

Acidified silage

Acidified silage is fermented livestock feed preserved by lowering pH, enhancing nutrient retention and reducing spoilage.

Acidity

Acidity refers to the increased acid levels in an animal's body, often affecting stomach or blood, potentially causing discomfort or illness.

Acidophilus

Acidophilus: A probiotic bacterium used in pets to support digestive health and balance gut flora.

Acidosis

Acidosis is a condition in pets where the blood becomes too acidic, often due to kidney dysfunction or severe dehydration.

Acoustic

"Acoustic" in veterinary terms relates to the hearing or sound functions within an animal's ear, covering detection and interpretation.

Acquired character

An acquired character is a trait developed in an animal due to environmental influences, not inherited genetically.

Acquired immunity

Acquired immunity is an animal's immune system defence developed after exposure to a disease or through vaccination.

Acre per animal unit month

"Acre per animal unit month: Land area needed to graze one livestock unit (e.g., cow) for one month, ensuring nutritional needs met."

Acromegaly

Acromegaly is a hormonal disorder in pets, usually cats, caused by excess growth hormone, leading to enlarged body parts and organ dysfunction.

Acromion

The acromion is the bony projection on an animal's shoulder blade that connects with the collarbone, aiding in shoulder joint movement.

Acrosome

The acrosome is a cap-like structure on a sperm cell that contains enzymes vital for penetrating an egg during fertilisation.

Active agent

An active agent is a substance in a veterinary drug that produces an intended therapeutic effect on animals.

Active immunity

Active immunity: A pet's ability to produce its own antibodies in response to exposure to pathogens or through vaccination.

Actual analysis

Actual analysis in veterinary medicine refers to the detailed examination of an animal’s diet to assess its nutritional content and adequacy.

Actual use

"Actual use" refers to the administration of a veterinary medication or treatment in real-world conditions, as opposed to controlled clinical settings.

Acuity

Acuity in veterinary medicine refers to the sharpness or clarity of an animal's sensory perception, like vision or hearing.

Acute

Acute: A sudden, severe condition or illness in pets requiring immediate attention for diagnosis and treatment.

Acute renal failure (arf)

Acute renal failure (ARF) is a sudden, severe decline in kidney function, causing waste accumulation and fluid imbalance in pets.

Acute toxicity

Acute toxicity is the sudden onset of harmful effects in an animal after exposure to a toxic substance, often requiring immediate veterinary care.

Ad lib

"Ad lib" means providing feed or water to animals freely, allowing constant access, rather than on a fixed schedule.

Ad lib feeding

Ad lib feeding allows pets to eat freely at any time without scheduled meal times, ensuring continuous access to food.

Ad libitum

"Ad libitum" means allowing pets to have constant access to food or water, letting them eat or drink whenever they choose.

Adaptability

Adaptability: An animal's ability to adjust to changes in its environment or lifestyle, maintaining health and well-being.

Adaptation

Adaptation in veterinary medicine refers to an animal's physiological or behavioural changes that enhance survival in response to environmental challenges.

Additives (n.)

Additives: Substances added to animal feed to improve nutritional value, enhance growth, or prevent disease in pets and livestock.

Addled egg

An addled egg in veterinary context is an egg that is infertile or has failed to develop properly due to internal damage.

Adduction

Adduction in veterinary medicine refers to moving an animal's limb toward its body’s midline, such as a horse's leg moving closer to its flank.

Adenocarcinoma

Adenocarcinoma is a malignant tumour in glandular tissue, often affecting pets' organs such as intestines, lungs, or mammary glands.

Adenohypophysis

Adenohypophysis: The anterior pituitary gland section producing hormones that regulate growth, metabolism, and reproduction in animals.

Adherence

Adherence refers to how well pet owners follow their veterinarian's prescribed treatment plans for their animals' health needs.

Adhesion

Adhesion: Fibrous tissue bands that form between internal organs and tissues, often after surgery or inflammation, restricting normal movement.

Adipocyte

An adipocyte is a fat cell in animals, storing energy and insulating vital organs.

Adipose

Adipose refers to the body's fat tissue, storing energy and insulating organs in animals.

Adjusted weaning weight (adjusted 205-day weight)

Adjusted weaning weight is the standardised weight of a calf at 205 days, accounting for age and maternal factors, to compare growth performance.

Adjusted yearling weight (adjusted 365-day weight)

Adjusted yearling weight is a standardised measurement estimating an animal's weight at one year, factoring in age and herd management variations.

Adnexa

In veterinary medicine, "adnexa" refers to the tissues surrounding and supporting an organ, like eyelids and glands around the eye.

Adrenal cortex

The adrenal cortex is the outer layer of the adrenal glands, producing hormones regulating metabolism, stress response, and salt balance in animals.

Adrenal gland

The adrenal gland is a small endocrine organ near the kidneys that produces hormones like adrenaline, cortisol, and aldosterone, regulating stress and metabolism.

Adrenal medulla

The adrenal medulla is the inner part of the adrenal gland, producing adrenaline and noradrenaline crucial for stress response.

Adrenalectomy

Adrenalectomy is the surgical removal of one or both adrenal glands, often performed to treat adrenal gland tumours in pets.

Adrenaline

Adrenaline is a hormone released by animals' adrenal glands, increasing heart rate and energy during stress or excitement.

Adrenopathy

Adrenopathy refers to any disease or disorder affecting the adrenal glands in animals, impacting hormone production and balance.

Adventitious sounds

Adventitious sounds are abnormal lung noises, like wheezes or crackles, heard during a pet's respiratory examination, indicating possible respiratory issues.

Advocate

Advocate: A topical medication for preventing and treating fleas, heartworm, and intestinal worms in dogs and cats.

Advocate for dogs

Advocate for dogs: A topical treatment preventing fleas, heartworm, and intestinal worms in dogs. Applied monthly to the skin.

Aerobe

An aerobe is a microorganism requiring oxygen to grow, often living in or on animals, influencing health.

Aerogun

An aerogun is a device used to administer vaccines or medications to animals through a high-pressure air stream without needles.

Aerophobia

Aerophobia in veterinary medicine refers to an animal's fear of air movement, wind, or drafts, often causing anxiety or stress.

Afebrile

Afebrile: A medical term indicating an animal is not experiencing a fever; their body temperature is within the normal range.

Afferent

In veterinary medicine, "afferent" refers to nerves that carry sensory signals from the body towards the brain or spinal cord.

Aflatoxin

Aflatoxin is a toxic substance produced by certain moulds found in pet food, causing liver damage and health issues in animals.

Afterbirth

Afterbirth is the expulsion of the placenta and fetal membranes from a female animal's uterus following birth.

Agalactia

Agalactia is the absence of milk production in female animals, often impacting newborns reliant on nursing for nutrition.

Agalactic mare

An agalactic mare is a female horse that is unable to produce milk after giving birth.

Age class

Age class: A categorisation of animals based on their age, used to assess health needs and appropriate care for each life stage.

Aged horse

In veterinary terms, an aged horse is a horse typically over 15 years old, requiring specific health care for senior-related issues.