The Immune System and Common Disorders

Immunity

Protection provided by antibodies to fight against diseases and pathogens.

Antibodies

Specific proteins produced by the body to protect against diseases and attack pathogens.

Antigens

Substances that trigger the immune system to produce antibodies.

Vaccines

Foreign materials introduced into the body to stimulate an immune response and build immunity.

Innate Immune System

The body's initial defense mechanism that works rapidly and is not specific to particular pathogens.

Adaptive Immune System

The immune response that is activated if the innate immune system fails, involving memory cells for specific antigens.

Modified Live Vaccines

Vaccines made from altered pathogens that stimulate an immune response and may cause mild clinical signs.

Killed Vaccines

Vaccines manufactured from dead pathogens that require repeated doses to produce antibodies.

Recombinant Vaccine

A vaccine made from a nonpathogenic virus with the gene for a pathogen-related antigen inserted, providing immunity without exposure to the disease.

Active Immunity

Immunity developed through exposure to a pathogen, typically through vaccination.

Passive Immunity

Immunity acquired through antibodies from another source, such as colostrum or plasma.

Leukocytes

White blood cells that are part of the body's defense system.

Lymphocytes

A type of white blood cell involved in the adaptive immune response.

Inflammation

The body's response to infection or abnormal conditions, often indicated by swelling and redness.

Plasma

The liquid part of the blood that contains antibodies and provides passive immunity.

Edema

Buildup of fluid under the skin

Spleen

Organ located in the central abdomen, removes foreign material from the blood, and stores lymphocytes

Allergies

Develop from allergens in the environment causing an allergic reaction, treated with antihistamines or drugs

Atopy

Skin allergies caused by hypersensitivity to allergens, may lead to pyoderma, diagnosed through skin testing

ELISA Testing

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay tests used to measure antigen or antibody levels in a blood sample

Neoplasia (Cancer)

Commonly called cancer, can occur in all animals, treated with chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, or medications

Allergen

Substance causing an allergic reaction

Antibody

Specific proteins produced to protect against disease and attack cells related to diseases

Antigen

Foreign materials triggering an immune response

Antihistamine

Drugs used to prevent and control allergic reactions

Blood Titer

Measured amount of antigen within the bloodstream

B Lymphocytes

White blood cells that develop and mature in the bone marrow

Booster Series

Vaccines introduced to build up protection and immunity over a period of time

Chemotherapy

Treatment with chemicals or drugs

Colostrum

Mother's first 24 hours of milk after labor, passes antibodies to the newborn

Cryosurgery

Procedure involving freezing parts of tissue

Histamine

Chemical released during an allergic reaction

Hypersensitivity

Increased reaction to allergens causing an allergic reaction

Immune System

Responsible for keeping the body healthy and protecting from disease

Immunoglobulins

Another term for antibodies

Infection

Immune system's response to an invasion of an organism

Intradermal (ID)

Injected into the layers of the skin

Intramuscular (IM)

Injected into the muscle

Intranasal (IN)

Injected into the nasal cavity or nostrils

Intraocular

Injected into the eyes

Killed Vaccine

Vaccine made from dead pathogens and placed into the animal's body in an inactive form

Lymph Node

Small collection of tissue that produces lymph fluid

Modified Live Vaccine

Vaccine made from altered antigens created from pathogens, placing small amounts into the animal's body