Guide to Canine and Feline fundamentals glossary 1

Abdominal system

Includes the stomach, intestines, and internal organs, such as the liver, pancreas, and spleen.

Abduction

Movement away from midline or the axis of the body.

Abductor muscle

String muscle that allows a shell to open and close.

Abomasum

Last section of the ruminant stomach that acts as the true stomach and allows food to be digested.

Abortion

A pregnant female animal that has lost the fetus.

Abscess

Bacterial infection that causes pus to build up in a localized area.

Absorbable suture

Material that is broken down within the body over a period of time and is absorbed by the body.

Acceptance

Emotion when a person understands and accepts that a pet has passed away.

Account history

Client's previous invoices that can be viewed at any time to see past payments and charges.

Acetabulum

Area of the pelvis where the femur attaches to form the hip joint.

Acid rain

Polluted rainwater.

ACTH

Adrenocorticotropic hormone released by the adrenal gland that controls blood pressure, releases cholesterol, and also the body's production of steroids.

Actinobacillosis

Disease of the head and jaw that causes tumor-like lumps of yellow pus to build up within the jaw; also called 'lumpy jaw'.

Actinomycosis

Bacterial infection of the head and neck lymph nodes and causes hard lesions to form over the tongue; also called 'wooden tongue'.

Active immunity

Developed from exposure of a pathogen through the process of vaccination.

Acute condition

Condition that occurs short term.

Ad lib

Giving something, such as food or water, as much as necessary or so that it is available at all times.

Adduction

Movement toward midline or the axis of the body.

Adrenal gland

Located cranial to the kidneys; produce and release adrenaline and other hormones.

Adrenaline

Chemical that is released by the nervous system in times of stress to create a response in an animal's fight or flight instinct.

Adson Brown tissue forceps

Instrument with several small and delicate teeth that are used for light handling of delicate tissue.

Aeration

Oxygen or air created in the water by making bubbles.

Aggression

Behavior that makes an animal angry and difficult and potentially unsafe to handle.

Aging

Allowing a water source to stand in a container at least 5 days.

Agonal gasps

Gasping breaths while the respiratory system shuts down.

Agouti

A mixture of two or more colors.

Air cell

Empty area located at the large end of an egg that provides oxygen.

Albumin

(1) Part of the blood that draws water into the bloodstream and provides hydration; (2) Egg white that surrounds the yolk.

Alevin

Young salmon.

Alfalfa hay

High in protein.

Algae

Plant-based source of food that grows spontaneously in water when left in the sunlight.

ADH

Hormone that promotes urine formation, water absorption, controls blood pressure, and changes control in water content.

Antifreeze toxicity

Poisoning that affects the renal system and shuts down the system causing renal failure; also known as ethylene glycol toxicity.

Antigen

Foreign materials used to create an immune response.

Antihistamine

Drugs used to prevent and control an allergic reaction.

Antioxidants

Vitamins that boost the body's immune system.

Antiseptics

Solutions that destroy microorganisms or inhibit their growth on living tissue; effective disinfecting agents.

Anuria

No urine production.

Aorta

Large vessel that allows blood to flow out of the heart and back into systemic circulation.

Appendicular skeleton

Contains bones of the body that hang; the limbs or appendages.

Applied research

Research done for a specific purpose, such as developing a vaccine or medication.

Appointment cards

A written reminder for clients that includes a date and time to remember the appointment scheduled for their pet.

Aquacrops

Commercially produced plant or animal living in or around a water source.

Aquaculture

Production of living plants, animals, and other organisms that grow and live in or around water.

Aquarium

Basic container that holds water and fish.

Aquarium maintenance schedule (AMS)

List of important duties that should be completed and the frequency necessary for an adequate fish tank.

Aquatic

Animal that lives in the water or pertaining to water.

Arboreal

Animal that lives in trees.

Arrhythmia

Abnormal heartbeat.

Artery

Vessel that carries blood away from the heart.

Arthritis

Inflammation of the joint.

Arthropods

Crustacean with an external skeleton.

Artificial incubation

Providing a controlled temperature in which eggs hatch, such as an incubator.

Artificial insemination (AI)

The practice of breeding female animals through the use of veterinary equipment rather than the traditional mating method.

Artificial vagina (AV)

Sterile sleeve or tube used to collect the semen of an animal during the ejaculation process.

Ascarid

Intestinal parasite, long white worm, roundworm.

Ascending colon

First section of the large intestine.

Ascites

Fluid buildup in the abdomen of a fish caused by a virus or bacterial infection; commonly called dropsy.

Asepsis

Technique of keeping a sterile environment.

Aseptic

Sterile environment condition.

Aseptic technique

The process of obtaining a sterile and organism-free environment.

Beef cattle

Cows specifically raised for meat.

Belgian Flemish draft horse

Horse breed that is light brown in color with a lighter mane and tail.

Benign

Noncancerous tumor.

Bilateral cryptorchid

Both testicles are retained and do not descend into the scrotum.

Bile

Yellow fluid secretion that helps break down food for digestion and absorption of food.

Billy

Common name for the adult male goat.

Biological drugs

Used to treat disease.

Biological filtration

Process of providing bacteria and other living organisms in the water to change harmful materials into forms that are safe.

Biological hazard

Safety concerns that pose a risk to humans and animals through contamination of living organisms.

Biological oxygenation

The use of plants to create oxygen in the water.

Biological value

Percentage on a food label that describes the quality of the food source.

Biology

The study of life.

Bird flu

Highly contagious virus that affects avian species and humans; also known as avian influenza.

Birdkeepers

People who raise and care for caged birds.

Birds of prey

Large birds that are hunters and eat small mammals and rodents; also protected by law and are not legal to hunt.

Bison

Ruminant mammals closely related to cattle.

Bit

Equipment placed in a horse's mouth when riding a horse.

Bivalve

Mollusks with two shells.

Blink reflex

Evaluation of the eye to determine which plane of anesthesia a patient is in.

Bloat

Condition that causes the abdomen to become swollen and painful due to air and gas within the intestinal tract.

Blood

Red liquid within the circulatory system that contains 40% of cells in the body and transports oxygen through the body.

Blood chemistry analyzer

Machine that runs blood samples that measure routine blood chemistries and electrolytes.

Blood feathers

Growing feathers that have a blood vessel in the center.

Blood glucose

Blood sugar or insulin produced by the pancreas.

Blood plasma

Blood sample that is frozen and then centrifuged to obtain plasma.

Blood pressure (BP)

The heart's contractions and relations as blood flows through the chambers.

Blood pressure monitor

Device used to assess the pumping action of the heart.

Blood serum

Liquid portion of the whole blood sample.

Blood smear

Blood film placed on a slide that is used to look at the morphology of blood cells.

Blood titer

Measured amount of antigen within the bloodstream.

Blue tongue virus

Spread by gnats that weakens the immune system and causes secondary infections to occur.

Capon

Male castrated chicken over 6 pounds and 6 months of age.

Caprine

Veterinary term for goats.

Captivity

An animal that is housed in an enclosure or with people.

Carapace

Thorax, abdomen, and limbs.

Carbohydrates

Nutrients that provide energy for body functions and allow for body structure formation.

Carcass

Dead body of an animal.

Cardia

Entrance of the stomach that filters food.

Cardiac arrest

The heart is not contracting appropriately.