The Veterinary Glossary is designed to help pet owners and veterinary professionals understand key terms used in veterinary care. Use this guide to familiarize yourself with important words that may come up during your pet’s visit or treatment.

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A

Anesthesia: A medical procedure that induces temporary loss of sensation or consciousness for surgeries or procedures.

Antibiotics: Medications that treat bacterial infections by killing or stopping the growth of harmful bacteria.

Arthritis: A condition causing pain and stiffness in the joints, often affecting older pets.

Auscultation: The act of listening to internal body sounds, like the heart or lungs, using a stethoscope.

 

B

Biopsy: Removal of tissue or cells for diagnostic examination under a microscope to check for disease.

Bloat: A dangerous condition where a pet’s stomach swells due to gas or fluid, requiring immediate care.

Bronchitis: Inflammation of the bronchial tubes in the lungs, causing coughing and breathing issues.

Bacteria: Microscopic organisms that can cause infections or, in some cases, benefit the body.

 

C

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Cardiology: The branch of veterinary medicine focusing on heart diseases and conditions in pets.

Castration: Surgical removal of a male animal’s testicles to prevent reproduction and manage behavior.

Cushing’s Disease: A hormonal disorder resulting from excess cortisol, leading to symptoms like weight gain and fatigue.

Cytology: The study of cells to detect diseases by examining samples from tissues or fluids.

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D

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Diabetes Mellitus: A condition where a pet’s body cannot regulate blood sugar due to insulin problems.

Dehydration: A lack of sufficient water in a pet’s body, leading to symptoms like lethargy and dry gums.

Dermatitis: Inflammation of the skin, leading to itching, redness, and irritation, often due to allergies or infections.

Dysplasia: Abnormal growth of tissues, commonly affecting joints such as hips or elbows in pets.

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E

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Echocardiogram: An ultrasound test used to check the heart’s structure and function for any abnormalities.

Ectoparasites: Parasites, like fleas or ticks, that live on the surface of a pet’s skin and feed on its blood.

Endoscopy: A minimally invasive procedure using a flexible camera to examine internal organs and structures.

Epilepsy: A neurological condition that causes recurrent seizures, often managed with medication.

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F

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Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV): A contagious virus that weakens a cat’s immune system, making them more prone to infections.

Fracture: A break or crack in a bone, often requiring immobilization or surgery for proper healing in pets.

Fluid Therapy: The administration of fluids to a pet, usually intravenously, to treat dehydration or other conditions.

Flea Allergy Dermatitis: A skin condition caused by an allergic reaction to flea bites, leading to itching and hair loss.

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G

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Gastroenteritis: Inflammation of the stomach and intestines, causing vomiting, diarrhea, and discomfort in pets.

Geriatrics: The branch of veterinary medicine focusing on the care of aging pets and their specific needs.

Glaucoma: A condition causing increased pressure in the eye, potentially leading to vision loss.

Gingivitis: Inflammation of the gums caused by plaque, which can lead to tooth loss if untreated.

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H

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Hemoglobin: A protein in red blood cells responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body.

Hernia: The abnormal protrusion of an organ or tissue through a weak spot in the body’s structure.

Heartworm: A parasitic worm transmitted by mosquitoes, which can severely damage a pet’s heart and lungs.

Hypothyroidism: A condition where the thyroid gland produces too few hormones, leading to weight gain and lethargy.

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I

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Immunization: The process of administering vaccines to protect pets from diseases like rabies or distemper.

Incision: A surgical cut made in the skin or tissue during a procedure, typically closed with sutures.

Infection: The invasion of the body by harmful organisms, like bacteria or viruses, causing illness.

Intravenous (IV): A method of delivering fluids or medications directly into the bloodstream for rapid effect.

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J

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Jaundice: Yellowing of the skin or eyes, often a sign of liver disease or other serious conditions.

Joint Supplement: A dietary supplement that helps improve joint health and mobility in aging or arthritic pets.

Jugular Vein: A large vein in the neck often used to draw blood or administer intravenous treatments.

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K

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Kidney Disease: A chronic condition where the kidneys lose function, leading to waste buildup in the body.

Keratitis: Inflammation of the cornea, leading to pain and vision problems in pets.

Kibble: Dry pet food, usually shaped into small pieces, that provides a balanced diet for dogs and cats.

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L

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Lymphoma: A type of cancer affecting the lymphatic system, often seen in both cats and dogs.

Lethargy: A state of tiredness or inactivity, often indicating illness or discomfort in pets.

Leukopenia: A low white blood cell count, reducing the body’s ability to fight infections.

Lactation: The production of milk in female animals to feed their young.

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M

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Mast Cell Tumor: A type of cancer that affects the skin, which can vary in severity and often requires surgical removal.

Microchip: A small, permanent ID chip placed under a pet’s skin to help identify and return lost animals.

Malocclusion: Misalignment of teeth, which can cause problems with chewing and require correction.

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N

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Neutering: Surgical removal of a male pet’s testicles to prevent reproduction and reduce behavioral issues.

Necrosis: Death of tissue due to injury or infection, requiring immediate veterinary attention.

Nodule: A small lump or bump that can form under the skin, often requiring examination for diagnosis.

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O

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Obesity: Excessive body weight, which can lead to health problems like joint pain and diabetes in pets.

Osteoarthritis: A degenerative joint disease that causes pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility in aging pets.

Otoscope: A tool used by veterinarians to examine the inside of a pet’s ears for infections or blockages.

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P

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Parvovirus: A highly contagious viral disease in dogs, causing severe gastrointestinal illness and requiring immediate care.

Pancreatitis: Inflammation of the pancreas, often causing vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain in pets.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of a disease, based on a pet’s diagnosis and treatment.

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Q

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Quarantine: The isolation of a pet to prevent the spread of infectious diseases to other animals or humans.

Quick: The blood vessel within a pet’s nail, which should be avoided during nail trimming to prevent bleeding.

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R

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Rabies: A fatal viral disease that affects the nervous system, transmitted through the bite of an infected animal.

Radiology: The use of X-rays and other imaging techniques to diagnose conditions like fractures or tumors.

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S

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Spaying: The surgical removal of a female pet’s ovaries and uterus to prevent reproduction.

Sutures: Stitches used to close a wound or surgical incision, promoting healing and preventing infection.

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T

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Titer: A blood test that measures an animal’s immunity to certain diseases after vaccination.

Tumor: An abnormal growth of cells, which can be benign or malignant and may require medical intervention.

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U

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Ultrasound: A diagnostic imaging technique that uses sound waves to visualize internal organs and tissues.

Urinalysis: A laboratory test of urine to check for signs of disease or infection in the kidneys or bladder.

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V

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Vaccination: The administration of a vaccine to stimulate immunity and protect against infectious diseases.

Virus: A microorganism that can cause disease in pets, such as the flu or parvovirus.

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W

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Worms: Parasitic organisms, like roundworms or tapeworms, that can infect pets and cause digestive issues.

Wound: An injury to the skin or underlying tissues, which can be treated with cleaning, bandaging, and sutures.

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X

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X-ray: An imaging technique that uses radiation to create pictures of bones and other internal structures.

Xerostomia: A condition characterized by dry mouth due to reduced saliva production, which can affect a pet's ability to eat and drink comfortably.

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Y

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Yeast Infection: A fungal infection that often affects the ears or skin of pets, causing itching and irritation.

Yolk Sac: A structure that provides nutrition to developing embryos in eggs, seen in reptiles and birds.

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Z

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Zoonosis: A disease that can be transmitted between animals and humans, such as rabies or ringworm.

Zygote: A fertilized egg cell, which develops into an embryo in animals.

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