The following terms are commonly used in veterinary medicine. (If your pet exhibits any of the signs mentioned, please see your veterinarian. This list is for education only, and is in no way intended to replace proper veterinary care and diagnosis.):

Abscess

A localized collection of pus characterized by pain and swelling, sometimes caused by bite wounds

Addison's Disease

Disease syndrome caused by abnormally low levels of cortisol in the body. This life-threatening condition may be unintentionally induced by abruptly discontinuing oral steroid administration, or by the misuse of Cushing's Disease medication.

Anal glands (anal sacs)

Two glands located on either side of the anus. They produce a strong-smelling substance which is usually expressed with bowel movements. The anal glands can become full or impacted and may need to be expressed manually by a veterinary caregiver.

Anemia

Condition characterized by below-normal number of red blood cells. Anemic pets may have pale mucus membranes, weakness, exercise intolerance or panting.

Anesthesia

Literally "loss of feeling", anesthesia is a state of sleep induced for surgery or other procedures. "Local" anesthesia is a chemically induced lack of sensation in a small area of the body.

Atopy

Allergy-induced itchiness

Aural hematoma

A collection of blood trapped between the layers of the ear flap, resembling a "pillow". Hematomas are caused by damage to the blood vessels of the ear, often due to head shaking.

Benign

Not malignant, as in a benign tumor. Favorable for recovery.

Bloat

Distention of the stomach with gas and/or food. This can be a life-threatening condition.

Cardiac

Pertaining to the heart.

Castration

Removal of the gonads, often referring to removal of the testes of a male animal.

Cataract

Opacity or cloudiness of the lens of the eye.

Comprehensive Physical Examination

Complete veterinary examination including evaluation of all body systems. Should be done for all pets at least yearly (more often for older pets).

Conjuctivitis

Inflammation of the tissues surrounding the eye.

Cornea

The clear covering of the eye.

Cruciate ligament

A ligament in the knee (stifle) which provides stability to the joint.

Cushing's Disease

Syndrome caused by excessive cortisol production or administration. Click here for more information.

Cystocentesis

Use of a syringe and needle to obtain uncontaminated urine directly from the bladder.

Dermatitis

Inflammation of the skin.

Diabetes

Disorder characterized by increased drinking and urination, often due to faulty blood sugar regulation by the body.

Diuresis

Increased urine production; can be stimulated with IV fluid therapy to assist in treatment of renal disease.

Dyspneic

Labored breathing.

Edema

Abnormal accumulation of fluid in the body tissues.

Emesis

Vomiting.

Endoscopy

Visual examination of the interior of the body, using a long, flexible, fiberoptic instrument.

Extraction

Removal of a tooth.

Foreign body

Plant or mineral material which enters the body and causes potential problems, including "gastric foreign body" an object in the stomach, and "foreign body fistula", a draining tract caused by a foxtail or other embedded matter.

Flea allergy dermatitis (FAD)

Skin inflammation caused by a reaction to flea saliva, typically on the back and rear of a pet.

Fracture

Broken, as in a bone or tooth.

Gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV)

Expansion and twisting of the stomach, also known as "torsion". A life-threatening condition.

Gastritis

Inflammation of the stomach, commonly causing vomiting.

Gingivitis

Inflammation of the gums.

Glaucoma

Disorder characterized by increased pressure within the eye.

Hepatitis

Nonspecific inflammation of the liver.

Hyperadrenocorticism

See Cushing's Disease.

Hyperpigmentation

Increased coloration of the skin. May be related to skin irritation, self-trauma (chronic licking or chewing) or some disease processes.

Hypoadrenocorticism

See Adddison's Disease.

Incision

A cut made with a sharp instrument.

Infectious

Transmissible from one animal to another.

Inflammation

Pain, redness and possible swelling due injury or infection.

Inflammatory bowel disease

Condition characterized by episodes of vomiting and diarrhea. Often diet related.

Jaundice

Yellowing of the skin and mucus membranes due to bile pigments. Can be related to liver disease. Also known as "icterus"

Laceration

A cut or tear in the body tissue(s).

Lavage

Irrigation or washing out.

Lens

The structure within the eye that focuses light onto the retina (back of the eye).

Libido

Sexual impulse.

Lipoma

A fatty tumor, often benign.

Malignant

Tending to get worse and result in death, as in a malignant tumor.

Mammary

Relating to the mammary glands or breasts.

Metastasis

The spread of disease or tumor from one part of the body to another.

Nasal

Pertaining to the nose.

Neoplasia

The formation of a tumor, uncontrolled cell growth.

Ocular

Pertaining to the eye.

Oral

Pertaining to the mouth, or given by mouth (as in oral medications).

Orthopedic

Pertaining to the bones and joints, as in orthopedic surgery.

Otitis

Inflammation of the ear.

Pancreatitis

Inflammation of the pancreas, characterized by vomiting, often induced by a high fat meal such as table scraps.

Patella

Kneecap.

Periodontitis

Disease of the tissues around a tooth, including the ligament that holds the tooth in place and/or the bone of the jaw.

Polishing

The smoothing of the tooth surface with a fine pumace paste after dental cleaning.

Prophylaxis

Prevention, as in dental prophylaxis or preventive tooth cleaning. Also called a "prophy" for short.

Pyoderma

Skin infection.

Pyometra

Infection of the uterus.

Queening

The act of delivering kittens.

Registered Veterinary Technician

RVT's are licensed veterinary care professionals who have received advanced education in nursing, radiology, surgical assistance, anesthesiology, dentistry and many other areas of veterinary medicine. They work in conjunction with the Veterinarian to provide pet health care.

Radiographs

X-ray images.

Renal

Pertaining to the kidneys.

Scaling

Mechanically removing plaque and tartar from the teeth. One step of a dental prophy.

Seborrhea

Skin condition which may be characterized by inflammation, dry or oily scaling or crusting and/or itchiness.

Spay/OVH

Removal of the ovaries and uterus from a female animal.

Sterile

1. Free of infectious organisms. 2. Unable to produce offspring.

Torsion

Twisting of the stomach or other organ. See Gastric dilation and volvulus.

Ultrasound

A diagnostic tool for non-invasive imaging of the internal organs.

Urinalysis

Analysis of the urine.

Uveitis

Inflammation within the eye.

Vaccine

Substance designed to stimulate the body to fight off a specific infection. Vaccines are often made of weakened or partial viruses which cannot cause infection but which can induce a response from the body.

Vestibular disease (old dog vestibular disease)

Disorder causing loss of balance. It may cause slight head tilt, or it may be severe enough to prevent the dog from standing normally and to cause nausea.

Whelping

The act of delivering puppies.