Critical Care, Toxicology, and Wound Management

acidosis

A medical condition characterized by an excess of acid in the body fluids, resulting in a decrease in blood pH. It can occur due to respiratory issues or metabolic disturbances.

arrhythmia

A condition in which the heart beats with an irregular or abnormal rhythm, which can affect the efficiency of the heart's pumping ability.

atrial fibrillation

a rapid, irregularly irregular rhythm with supraventricular morphology QRS complexes, no identifiable P waves, and the presence of fibrillatory waves (f waves) that occurs in the atria, leading to decreased cardiac output and an increased risk of stroke.

atrial premature complex (APC)

an early heartbeat originating in the atria; often felt as a skipped or fluttery beat, and is usually harmless unless frequent or symptomatic

azotemia

a condition characterized by elevated levels of nitrogen waste products in the blood, particularly BUN and serum creatinine; occurs when the kidneys are unable to effectively filter waste from the blood

borborygmi

the rumbling/gurgling sounds produced by the movement of gas, fluids, and food through the GI tract; usually a normal part of digestion

capillary refill time (CRT)

a quick, non-invasive test to assess peripheral blood flow and circulatory efficiency; normal time is typically under 2 seconds

choke

a condition caused by esophageal obstruction in ruminants and horses; clinical signs include excessive drooling; can eventually cause severe bloat

colic

refers to abdominal pain in horses with various causes

disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)

a complex disorder resulting in the abnormal activation of the coagulation cascade, leading to the formation of small clots throughout the body's blood vessels

down animals

animals that cannot stand

dystocia

difficult birth, typically caused by a large or awkwardly positioned fetus, by smallness of the maternal pelvis, or by failure of the uterus and cervix to contract and expand normally.

metritis

inflammation of the uterus, usually caused by infection, often occurring after birth, miscarriage, or invasive gynecological procedures

multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS)

a life-threatening condition where two or more organ systems fail; often triggered by severe infection or injury; requires immediate intensive care

perineal

the region located below the pelvic diaphragm, encompassing the external genitalia and anus

pneumothorax

when air leaks into the space between the lung and chest wall, causing either partial or complete lung collapse

regional nerve block

provides targeted pain relief and enhances patient comfort during surgical procedures; categorized into four types (infraorbital, caudal maxillary, middle mental, and caudal mandibular/inferior alveolar)

rumen tympany

commonly known as bloat; a condition in ruminant animals characterized by excessive gas accumulation in the rumen

rumenostomy

a surgical procedure that creates a permanent or temporary opening into the rumen, primarily used for nutritional support and therapeutic access in ruminants

rumenotomy

a surgical procedure that involves the opening of the rumen, primarily performed on ruminant animals like cattle and sheep, to diagnose and treat various gastrointestinal conditions

sepsis

a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection

syncope

a sudden, temporary loss of consciousness caused by a reduction in blood flow to the brain

systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS)

a complex syndrome that indicates the body’s overwhelming response to a stressor, resulting in widespread inflammation; can progress if untreated to sepsis, septic shock, or MODS

tachycardia

an abnormally rapid heart rate

tachypnea

an abnormally rapid respiratory rate

thoracocentesis

a veterinary procedure used to remove air or fluid from the pleural space for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes

thromboembolism

refers to a blood clot (thrombus) or other material that travels through the bloodstream and blocks a vessel, potentially causing tissue damage or organ dysfunction

tracheostomy

a critical procedure in veterinary surgery for managing severe upper airway obstruction, requiring careful consideration of indications, techniques, and post-operative care; may be performed in acute respiratory distress when immediate airway access is required

tracheotomy

a surgical procedure that creates an opening in the trachea; allows for the placement of a tracheostomy tube

transfaunation

a procedure that involves the transfer of rumen contents from a healthy donor animal to an animal with compromised rumen function

triage

the process of prioritizing medical care based on the severity of patients’ conditions

tube cystostomy

a common procedure for managing urinary obstructions in small animals; provides temporary or permanent urine diversion when other, less invasive methods are not feasible

urethral process

a 2-4 cm extension of the urethra beyond the glans penis in male ruminants, such as sheep and goats; significant in veterinary medicine because it is the most common site of obstruction due to urinary calculi

urethrostomy

a surgical procedure that creates a permanent opening in the urethra to bypass obstructions and allow normal urine flow

urolithiasis

refers to the formation of urinary stones, particularly in dogs and cats