A B C D E F G H I JKL M N O PQ R S T U V W X Y Z

A

Abdomen:
belly
Abdominocentesis:
a procedure involving the use of a needle to draw fluid out of the abdominal cavity for evaluation
Abscess:
a cavity filled with pus, often the result of an infection
Acute:
sudden onset
Adrenal:
a gland located in the abdominal cavity, near the kidney, which is part of the endocrine system. Responsible for secreting several hormones, including cortisol.
Alimentary:
relating to food or nutrition
Allergen:
a substance which produces an allergy
Alopecia:
hair loss
Alveoli:
small sac-like structures in the lungs. Responsible for oxygen exchange.
Analgesic:
pain reliever
Anal gland:
sac-like structure located on either side of the anus.
Anemia:
a low red blood cell count
Anthelmetic:
medication given to kill worms. Often called “wormer” or “dewormer”.
Antibiotic:
a medication used to kill bacteria
Antibody:
a protein produced by the immune system to protect against disease
Antigen:
a protein produced by the immune system in response to an infection or other stimulation (i.e. allergies, etc).
Anus:
the lower opening of the digestive tract
Artery:
a large blood vessel responsible for carrying blood away from the heart
Arthritis:
inflammation of a joint
Arrhythmia:
an irregular heart beat
Ascarids:
roundworms
Ascites:
fluid in the abdominal cavity
Asymptomatic:
not showing symptoms of disease
Atopy:
a type of skin disease, also called “inhalant dermatitis” or “atopic dermatitis”

B

Bacteria:
small organism sometimes responsible for causing disease. There are many kinds of bacteria and not all are disease-causing.
Benign:
not cancerous
Bitch:
female dog
Biopsy:
a procedure whereby tissue is examined by a pathologist, under a microscope, to determine what types of cells are present in the tissue. Often used to determine whether a growth (or tumor) is benign or cancerous.
Bladder:
sac-like structure. Often used to refer to the urinary bladder, which holds the urine until it is passed to the outside of the body through the act of urination.
Blood pressure:
a measure of the pressure exerted by the blood against the walls of the blood vessels, especially the arteries
Bordetella:
virus, frequently involved in causing tracheobronchitis (kennel cough) in dogs
Bronchi/bronchiole:
small air passages leading from the trachea to the alveoli in the lungs
Bronchitis:
inflammation of the bronchi
Brucellosis:
disease caused by the organism Brucella canis. Often responsible for infertility in dogs

C

Calorie:
a measure of energy, frequently applied to foods
Canine:
dog
Canine adenovirus:
virus causing disease in dogs, frequently causes symptoms of liver disease. Also called “canine infectious hepatitis”.
Canine coronavirus:
virus causing disease in dogs, frequently causes gastro-intestinal symptoms
Canine distemper (CDV):
virus causing disease in dogs, frequently resulting in respiratory and neurological symptoms. Often fatal.
Canine herpesvirus:
disease frequently resulting in infertility and/or weak or still-born puppies
Canine infectious hepatitis (ICH):
virus causing disease in dogs, frequently causes symptoms of liver failure. Also called “canine adenovirus” or “infectious canine hepatitis”.
Canine tracheobronchitis:
disease in dogs resulting in respiratory symptoms. Often called “kennel cough”.
Cardiac:
heart
Cardiomyopathy:
disease of the heart muscle
Castration:
surgical procedure of removing the testicles
Cataract:
eye disease causing an opacity in the lens
Cervix:
the lower section of the uterus which protrudes into the vagina and dilates during labor to allow the passage of the fetuses
Chronic:
duration of several weeks or longer
Coccidia:
protozoan (one-celled) organism which frequently causes gastro-intestinal symptoms
Cognitive dysfunction:
disease in older dogs causing deterioration of cognitive abilities
Congenital:
existing at birth
Conjuctivitis:
inflammation of the tissues surrounding the eye
Coronavirus:
a group of viruses. One member of this group is responsible for causing canine coronaviral disease, another is responsible for causing feline infectious peritonitis.
Cornea:
the front part of the eye
Constipation:
condition resulting in infrequent or difficult elimination of feces.
Culture:
technique involving the growth of bacteria. Often coupled with testing for sensitivity to specific antibiotics.
Cyanotic:
purple or blue coloration of the mucous membranes (gums) resulting from lack of proper oxygenation

D

Dam:
mother
Defecate:
moving bowels
Dehydration:
loss of fluid from the blood steam and tissues
Dermatitis:
inflammation of the skin
Dermatomycosis:
skin disease caused by a fungus, often called “ringworm”
Diabetes:
disease resulting from inadequate insulin production, resulting in abnormally high glucose (sugar) levels in the blood
Diagnose:
find the cause of disease
Diarrhea:
loose stool
Disease:
illness, sickness
Dyspnea:
difficulty breathing
Dystocia:
difficulty giving birth
Dysuria:
difficulty urinating

E

Eclampsia:
a condition in pregnant or nursing females resulting from low calcium levels in the blood
Echocardiogram (ECHO):
ultrasound examination of the heart
Ehrlichiosis:
tick-borne disease
Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG):
measurement of the electrical activity in the heart muscle.
Electroencephalogram (EEG):
measurement of electrical activity in the brain.
Enteritis:
inflammation of the intestinal tract
Enzyme:
a protein which makes a chemical process take place faster
Endocarditis:
inflammation of the heart tissue
Endocrine:
relating to the parts of the body which secrete hormones, such as the thyroid and adrenal glands
Endometrium:
inside lining of the uterus
Estrus:
the “heat” cycle, the part of the reproductive cycle during which a female is able to become pregnant
Estrous:
the reproductive cycle of the female
Esophagus:
the part of the digestive system leading from the mouth to the stomach
Examination:
an investigation or inspection undertaken for the purpose of diagnosis

F

Fecal:
stool, bowel movement
Feline:
cat
Feline calicivirus:
viral disease of cats causing upper respiratory disease
Feline distemper:
disease of cats causing gastro-intestinal symptom and fever. Also called “feline panleukopenia”.
Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV):
contagious disease of cats. Frequently called “feline AIDS”.
Feline leukemia (FeLV):
contagious disease of cats.
Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD/FUS):
disease of the urinary system in cats. Also called “FUS” or “feline urologic syndrome”.
Feline panleukopenia:
viral disease of cats. Also called “feline distemper”.
Feline rhinotracheitis:
viral disease of cats causing upper respiratory disease
Feline urinary syndrome (FUS/FLUTD):
disease in cats causing urinary problems. Also called “feline lower urinary tract disease.
Fetal:
relating to an unborn animal
Fetus:
an unborn animal
Flea:
an external parasite which feeds on blood
Fracture:
a broken bone
Fungus:
the organism responsible for causing “ringworm” and other mycotic diseases in pets. There are numerous types of fungi (plural of fungus), many of which do not cause disease. Fungi are actually classified as a primitive form of plant.

G

Gastric:
pertaining to the stomach
Gastrointestinal:
pertaining to the stomach and intestines
Genitalia:
the external reproductive organs. In females, the vulva or vagina. In males, the penis and testicles.
Gingiva:
the soft tissue surrounding the teeth
Gingivitis:
inflammation of the soft tissue surrounding the teeth
Giardia:
protozoan (one-celled) organism which causes diarrhea in animals

H

Heart:
organ responsible for pumping blood
Heartworm:
parasitic disease characterized by a type of worm living within the heart
Hematoma:
blood-filled sac or cavity
Hematuria:
blood in the urine
Hemorrhage:
bleeding
Hepatitis:
inflammation of the liver
Hereditary:
passed from the parents to the offspring
Hookworm:
type of intestinal parasite
Hormone:
a substance produced by an endocrine organ
Hot spot:
a skin lesion, often caused by allergies
Hypo-:
low
Hypoglycemia:
low blood glucose (sugar) level
Hypotension:
low blood pressure
Hypothyroidism:
disease caused by low levels of thyroid hormone in the blood stream
Hyper-:
high
Hyperglycemia:
high blood glucose (sugar) level
Hypertension:
high blood pressure
Hyperthyroidism:
disease caused by high levels of thyroid hormone in the blood stream

I

Iatrogenic:
disease caused by trying to diagnose or treat another disease
Icterus:
yellow coloration of mucous membranes (gums), skin and sclera (white part of the eyes) resulting from liver failure. Also called “jaundice”.
Idiopathic:
unknown cause
Immune-mediated:
disease caused by over-active immune system
Immune system:
body system responsible for fighting disease
Immunity:
resistance to disease
Immunization:
process of providing immunity to disease. Often carried out through vaccination.
Immunodeficient:
lowered resistance to disease
Incontinent:
unable to hold urine properly. Dribbling urine, leaving pools of urine while sleeping.
Infection:
multiplication of disease causing organisms in the body
Infectious:
caused by an infection or capable of causing infection
Inflammation:
pathological changes in tissues related to physical, chemical or biological agent
Inherited:
disorder passed from the parents to the offspring
Insecticidal:
substance which kills insects
Insulin:
hormone produced by the pancreas which is responsible for regulating blood levels of glucose (sugar)
Intestinal:
the part of the gastro-intestinal tract which leads from the stomach to the outside of the body. Includes both the small and large intestines.
Intravenous:
in a vein

J

Jaundice:
yellow coloration of the mucous membranes (gums), skin and sclera (white part of the eyes) resulting from liver failure
Jejunum:
part of the intestinal tract
Joint:
area located between bones, responsible for allowing movement of individual limbs

K

Keratitis:
inflammation of the cornea of the eye
Keratoconjunctivitis sicca:
disease of the eye resulting from decreased tear production. Abbr: KCS
Kidney:
organ responsible for filtering wastes from the blood stream and regulating fluid output

L

Leptospirosis:
disease caused by the bacteria Leptospira interrogans, resulting in liver and/or kidney failure
Lice:
an external parasite which lives on the skin
Ligament:
a band of tissue between two body parts, often supporting a specific joint
Liver:
largest gland in the body, responsible for secreting bile and important in carbohydrate and protein metabolism
Lumbar:
relating to the back
Lyme disease:
a tick borne disease

M

Malignant:
cancerous
Malnutrition:
lack of proper nutrition
Mammary glands:
organs which produce milk to feed young, breasts
Mange:
a skin disease caused by one of several types of mite
Mastitis:
inflammation of the mammary glands
Metritis:
inflammation of the uterus
Microfilaria:
the larval form of some types of “worm”. Often refers to larval heart-worms.
Mite:
a parasitic insect
Mucous membranes:
the pink lining of specific parts of the body. Often refers to the “gums”.
Myocarditis:
inflammation of the heart muscle

N

Neoplasia:
cancer
Nephritis:
inflammation of the kidneys
Neurologic:
pertaining to the nervous system (i.e. the brain, spinal cord and nerves)
Neuter:
surgically removing the testicles. Also called “castration”.
Nutrition:
the taking in and assimilation of material for the purpose of building up tissue and liberating energy.

O

Obesity:
overweight
Oral:
referring to the mouth
Otitis:
inflammation of the ear
Ovariohysterectomy:
surgical removal of the ovaries and uterus. Also called “spay”.
Ovary:
reproductive organ responsible for producing eggs (ovum)

P

Pancreas:
gland responsible for secreting insulin and enzymes to help digest food
Pancreatitis:
inflammation of the pancreas
Panosteitis:
disease of the long bones. Cause unknown.
Paralysis:
inability to move a body part
Parasite:
an organism that lives in or on a host and receives its nutrition through that host
Parvovirus:
viral disease which causes gastro-intestinal signs in dogs
Pathology:
the study of disease and its causes, development, and consequences
Pathogenic:
disease-causing
Pelvic:
relating to the lower part of the abdomen between the hip bones
Pelvis:
the lower part of the abdomen between the hip bones
Penile:
relating to the penis
Penis:
the external male genitalia
Periodontal:
the area around the teeth
Pharynx:
voice-box
Placenta:
the organ or “sac” that nourishes a developing fetus in the uterus
Pneumonia:
infection of the lungs
Polydipsia:
increased water consumption
Polyp:
a specific type of growth, usually has a stem-like base
Polyuria:
increased urine volume
Post-partum:
after birth or delivery of young
Prescription:
usually refers to medication only available with a doctor’s written approval
Primary:
of direct order or cause, not second-hand
Prostate:
gland surrounding the urethra that secretes part of the semen
Protein:
a complex form of molecule
Protozoan:
one-celled organism, some are disease-causing
Pruritis:
itchy
Purulent:
discharging pus
Pyoderma:
infection of the skin
Pyometra:
infection of the uterus

Q

Queen:
female cat, also refers to the act of a female cat delivering kittens

R

Radiograph:
an image created by x-rays
Rabies:
contagious fatal viral disease which affects the nervous system
Ringworm:
skin disease caused by a fungus
Respiratory:
pertaining to the lungs and other structures used to breathe properly, including the trachea, bronchi and alveoli
Roundworm:
type of intestinal parasite

S

Saliva:
secretions produced in the mouth, “spit”
Salmonellosis:
an intestinal disease caused by a bacteria called Salmonella
Scabies:
contagious skin disease caused by a mite called Sarcoptes scabeii
Seborrhea:
a skin disease characterized by oily secretions
Secondary:
of second rank, derived from a primary cause
Sedation:
the act of calming, usually achieved through chemical means (i.e. giving a drug to cause calming and relation)
Seizure:
an attack, usually of the nervous system. Also called a “convulsion”.
Serovar:
type or kind
Sire:
father
Spay:
surgically removing the ovaries and uterus. Also known as “ovariohysterectomy”.
Spleen:
an organ responsible for storing blood and producing cells used in immune response
Stethoscope:
an instrument used to listen to the heart and lungs and other sounds in the body
Stool:
feces, bowel movement
Stranguria:
straining to urinate
Subcutaneous:
under the skin
Surgery:
treating disease and illnesses by operative procedures. May involve removal or replacement of a diseased organ or tissue or removal of an organ for preventive purposes, as in a spay or neuter.
Symptom:
a physical condition which shows that one has a particular illness or disorder
Syncope:
fainting
Systemic:
spread throughout the body, not localized to one part or body system

T

Tapeworm:
a type of intestinal parasite
Thoracic:
pertaining to the chest
Thorax:
the chest
Thyroid:
gland which helps regulate growth and metabolism
Tick:
an external parasite (insect) which feeds on blood
Toxicity:
poisoning
Toxoplasmosis:
a disease carried by cats, dangerous to pregnant women and their unborn children
Trachea:
part of the respiratory tract, a tube carrying air from the throat to the bronchi
Tracheobronchitis:
inflammation of the trachea and bronchi
Tumor:
a growth or abnormal mass

U

Ultrasound (U/S):
An imaging technique in which sound waves are passed through body tissues in order to view the size, shape, location and internal structure of an organ or tissue.
Ureter:
the part of the urinary tract which leads from the kidney to the bladder
Urethra:
the part of the urinary tract leading from the bladder to the outside of the body
Urinalysis:
the chemical and physical analysis of the urine
Urinary:
body system which includes the kidneys, ureter, bladder and urethra
Urinate:
the act of passing urine
Urogenital:
pertaining to both the urinary and reproductive tract
Urolith:
bladder stone
Uterus:
part of the female reproductive system which nurtures and holds the unborn fetuses
Uveitis:
inflammation of the uvea (part of the eye)

V

Vaccination:
inoculation with a vaccine in order to prevent a specific disease
Vaccine:
a substance that is used to confer immunity to a specific disease
Vagina:
the external opening of the urinary and reproductive tract of the female
Vein:
a blood vessel carrying blood towards the heart
Venereal:
pertaining to the sex organs
Venous:
pertaining to veins
Vertebrae:
bones making up the spinal cord
Veterinarian:
a doctor who treats animals
Virus:
an ultra-small organism which replicates in the cells of a living host. Many cause disease.
Vomit:
throw up

W

Wean:
to separate a young animal from its mother
Whelp:
the act of a female dog delivering puppies

X

Y

Z

Zoonotic:
disease which can be transmitted from pets to people, from people to pets, or is transmissible to both people and pets