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Encyclopedia
Abdomen
The main trunk of the body is divided into two main parts:
the thorax and the abdomen. The abdomen lies below/behind the diaphragm and
the ribcage. This region is also known as the "belly" or "stomach" and it
holds the stomach, kidneys, intestines, and the liver.
Abscess
A localized collection of pus formed by the disintegration
of nearby tissue. This is frequently associated with infection.
Acute
Sudden onset or appearing in a short span of time.
Adulticide
A type of medication used to kill the adult form of a parasite.
Allergen
A compound that is foreign to the body and potentially causes an improper
immune response known as an "allergic reaction."
Alopecia
Loss of hair on a region of the body.
Anemia
A decrease in the number of red blood cells below normal values. Usually when red blood
cells are being lost or destroyed faster than they are created.
Antibiotics
A class of medications used to fight infections in or on the body. Penicillin is a well known
example of this type of drug. The body also makes antibodies on its own to fight infections.
Arrhythmia
The heart normally beats in a steady regular rhythm. When variations occur and the heart produces
an irregular series of beats, this is arrhythmia.
Ascarid
A roundworm, one of several types of intestinal parasites.
Ascites
Accumulation of fluid in the abdomen. This may result in a pot-bellied appearance in extreme cases.
Aspiration - Fine Needle
The use of a small needle to collect a small sample of cells or fluid from inside the body.
Atrium
The mammalian heart has four chambers, two ventricles and
two atria (plural of atrium). The two upper chambers are known as the left
and right atrium respectively. The right atrium collects blood flow from the
rest of the body and contracts to fill the right ventricle. The left atrium
accepts blood inflow from the lungs and contracts to fill the left ventricle.
Autoimmune
An altered immune response in the body in which the immune system may misrecognize some of its own
cells as foreign and react inappropriately.
Bacteria
A general term for many one celled microorganisms. Bacteria
come in one of three forms, spiral, rod-shaped, or spherical. They live on
and in every living thing and facilitate many necessary
Benign
Either favorable for recovery or something of a type that
no future problems are expected from it. Not malignant.
Bile
A substance excreted by the liver into the gall bladder. The gall bladder then empties the bile
into the intestines. Bile contains the bile acids and is important in the absorption of fatty acids.
Bile itself has a yellow hue.
Biopsy
The sampling of tissue in the body for analysis to determine any abnormalities in that tissue.
This may be accomplished in several ways, via a small needle to collect cell samples or surgically
to obtain a larger sample. Quite often, this technique is used to uncover the presence of tumors.
Bloat
A situation in which the stomach fills with air. This situation can be life threatening in a matter
of minutes.
Bronchitis
Inflammation of the bronchi. The trachea (windpipe) divides into two branches known as bronchi. One
leads to each lung.
Canine
Of or pertaining to the dog.
Carcinoma
A new malignant growth comprised of epithelial cells. These
cells line the internal and external surfaces of the body, including the lining
of blood vessels and various body cavities.
Cardiac
Of or pertaining to the heart.
Cardiopulmonary
Or or pertaining to the heart and lungs.
Carpus
The wrist, the first main joint behind the toes on the front legs of a dog or cat.
Caudal
In the direction of the tail, a term used to indicate direction in the body. For example, a tumor
in the abdomen may lie in the top region closest to the head (cranial) or in the bottom
region closest to the tail (caudal).
Chemistry Panel
A series of blood tests performed on one blood sample to analyze
its serum. (Technically, the liquid portion of clotted blood separated out
by a centrifuge is the serum.) A chemistry panel determines quantities of
hormones, enzymes, proteins, and electrolytes in the serum. It can provide
information about the liver, kidneys, pancreas, ...etc.
Chronic
Long term.
CNS - Central Nervous System
The brain and spinal cord.
Coccidia
A single celled parasite that lives in the intestines of many
species of animals. See Coccidia
for more details.
Colitis
Inflammation of the colon.
Complete Blood Count
A blood test used to evaluate the cellular components of blood: red blood cells, white blood cells,
and platelets.
Conjunctivitis
Inflammation of the conjunctiva.
Cranial
In the direction of the head, a term used to indicate direction in the body. For example, a tumor
in the abdomen may lie in the top region closest to the head (cranial) or in the bottom
region closest to the tail (caudal).
Dehydration
A condition in which an animal has less water in its body than what is considered
normal. This condition can be serious.
Dermal
Of or pertaining to the skin.
Dermatitis
Inflammation of the skin.
Diagnosis
Identification of the medical problem of a specific patient.
Duodenum
The first section of the small intestine that connects directly to the stomach.
Ear Canal
A small tube connecting the tympanum (ear drum) to the outer
ear. It carries sound to the ear drum.
Echocardiogram
An advanced imaging technique using ultrasound to investigate
problems of the heart. It is noninvasive and unlike a radiograph (x-ray),
allows the veterinarian to view the heart contracting in real time and measure
blood flow, chamber pressure, and many other detailed aspects of the heart.
Ectoparasite
A parasite that lives on the outside of its host. For example, ticks and mites.
EKG
An electrocardiogram is a procedure to measure electrical activity of the heart.
Emaciation
An unfortunate situation in which the body has lost a large percentage of its normal
body weight.
Endoparasite
A parasite that lives inside its host. For example, heartworms and roundworms.
Enteric
Of or pertaining to the intestines.
Enteritis
Inflammation of the intestines.
Esophagus
The tube which transfers food from the mouth to the stomach.
Fecal
Of or pertaining to the feces.Also a simple term used to describe an examination of an animal's feces for possible intestinal parasites.
Feline
Of or pertaining to the cat.
Gastric
Of or pertaining to the stomach
Gastritis
Inflammation of the stomach.
Gastrointestinal
Of or pertaining to the stomach and intestines.
Heartworm
Parasitic worms that live in and near the heart.
See Heartworms for more details.
Hepatic
Of or pertaining to the liver.
Hepatitis
Inflammation or infection of the liver.
Hookworms
A parasitic worm that lives in the intestines of many species of animals.
See Hookworms for more details.
Host
An animal which provides nourishment for another organism
without receiving any benefits in return.
Hyperglycemia
A higher than normal blood glucose level.
Hypoglycemia
A lower than normal blood glucose level.
IBD
Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
Infestation
A situation in which an animal has a large number of parasites of a particular type.
(i.e. a roundworm infestation)
Insulin
The pancreas produces a hormone known as insulin to aid glucose
to enter cells in the body. Cells use glucose to derive energy to function.
Intestines
Two organs, the large intestine and small intestine that accept the outflow from
the stomach.
Intramuscular
Into the muscle.
Intravenous
Into the bloodstream.
Jaundice
A condition in which the skin displays some degree of yellow color. In more extreme
cases, the gums and eyes may display yellowing as well.
Large Intestine
The large intestine, known as the colon, connects to the small
intestine. After digested food has passed through the small intestine and
has had most nutrients absorbed from it, the large intestine absorbs most
of the remaining water and compacts the material to create feces. It also
serves as a storage area for bodily waste before its excretion (removal) from
the body.
Microfilariae
The larval form of heartworms.
Neuter
To render a male or female animal unable to produce offspring. This is usually accomplished
surgically or chemically. (Only female animals are "spayed.")
Ocular
Of or pertaining to the eyes.
Otic
Of or pertaining to the ears.
OTC - Over The Counter
A class of medications available without prescription.
Palpation
Manipulation of a region of the body to aid in the formation of a diagnosis.
Pancreatitis
Inflammation of the pancreas.
Parasite
An organism that lives on or in a host animal and obtains its nutrition requirements
from that host animal. Usually, this process harms the host in some manner.
Paralysis
A state in which an animal is unable to move part or all of its body.
Plasma
The liquid portion of whole blood including soluble proteins,
hormones, and electrolytes.
Platelets
Components of the blood that enables blood to clot.
Polydactyl
Having extra digits (toes) on the feet.
Prognosis
The predicted outcome of an animal with a diagnosed medical condition.
Pulmonary
Of or pertaining to the lungs.
Red Blood Cells
The most common type of blood cell that contains hemoglobin and uses it to
transport oxygen from the lungs to tissue throughout the body.
Renal
Of or pertaining to the kidneys
Roundworms
A parasitic worm that lives in the intestines of many species of animals.
See Roundworms for more details.
Serum
After a blood sample is collected and allowed to clot, it is spun in a high
speed centrifuge to separate the out liquid portion. This liquid is the serum.
Spay
To neuter a female animal. To render a female animal unable
to reproduce.
Subcutaneous
Beneath the skin.
Tachycardia
An abnormally rapid heart rate.
Tachypnea
Abnormally rapid breathing. This is not to be confused with panting.
Tapeworms
Parasitic worms that live in the intestines of many animals.
See Tapeworms for more details.
Tartar
Dental calculus that has accumulated on the teeth.
Thorax
The main trunk of the body is divided into two main parts:
the thorax and the abdomen. The thorax lies above or in front of the diaphragm
and under the ribcage. This region is also known as the "chest." This part
of the body contains the heart and lungs.
Vaccination
A suspension of killed or altered microorganisms (i.e. viruses, bacteria, etc.) designed for use to
promote and immune response in the body. Ultimately, the body's reaction to the vaccine should
confer immunity to the microorganism within it.
Virus
A self contained infectious agent consisting of a nucleic
acid, either DNA or RNA, and a protein coat. A virus requires a host cell
in order to replicate and it usually destroys the host cell in the process.
Whipworms
Parasitic worms that live in the intestines of many animals.
See Whipworms for more details.
Zoonotic
A type of disease that can be transmitted between different species. The best known
example is rabies that can infect dogs, cats, people, and many other mammals.
