Comprehensive Veterinary Pharmacology & Clinical Support Review

150 vocabulary flashcards covering key pharmacology terms, drug classes, routes, regulations, diagnostics, endocrine concepts, and clinical procedures from the lecture notes.

Indication

A clinical reason or condition for administering a drug to a patient.

Contraindication

A clinical reason or condition for NOT giving a drug to a patient.

Legend drug

A prescription drug carrying the FDA‐required label: “Caution: Federal law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian.”

Veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR)

Professional relationship in which the veterinarian assumes responsibility for patient care, has recently examined the animal, and is available for follow-up.

Regimen

Complete plan for drug administration specifying drug, route, dosage, frequency, and duration.

t.i.d.

Abbreviation meaning three times a day (ter in die).

q.i.d.

Abbreviation meaning four times a day (quater in die).

b.i.d.

Abbreviation meaning twice a day (bis in die).

Pharmacokinetics

Study of what the body does to a drug (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion).

Oral (PO) route

Drug administration by mouth; absorption can be affected by vomiting, diarrhea, or taste.

Intravenous (IV) route

Drug injection into a vein; produces rapid effect but short duration.

Intramuscular (IM) route

Injection into muscle; absorption slower than IV but faster than SQ.

Subcutaneous (SQ/SC) route

Injection into tissue beneath the skin.

Intradermal (ID) route

Injection within the skin, commonly for allergy testing.

Intraperitoneal (IP) route

Injection into the abdominal cavity.

Intraarterial (IA) route

Injection directly into an artery.

Intraarticular route

Injection into a joint space.

Intracardiac route

Injection into the heart, often for euthanasia or CPR.

Intramedullary route

Injection into the bone marrow cavity.

Epidural route

Injection into the space outside the dura mater of the spinal cord.

Subdural route

Injection near the dura mater around the spinal cord.

Nebulizer

Device that delivers medication as an inhaled fine mist into small airways.

Metered-dose inhaler (MDI)

Hand-held device that delivers a precise inhaled drug dose over the nose and mouth.

Anesthetic gas

Inhalant anesthetic delivered via vaporizer for general anesthesia.

Transdermal administration

Drug applied to skin for systemic absorption (e.g., patches).

Concentration gradient

Movement of drug molecules from high to low concentration across compartments.

Bioavailability

Fraction of an administered dose that reaches systemic circulation in active form.

Water-soluble drug

Drug that dissolves in water and tends to remain within the bloodstream.

Lipid-soluble drug

Drug that dissolves in fats and readily moves into tissues and fat stores.

Placental barrier

Physiological barrier between maternal and fetal blood that limits some drugs.

Blood–brain barrier

Selective barrier that limits drug entry into brain tissue.

Drug excretion

Removal of drug from the body, primarily via liver (bile) or kidneys (urine).

Residue

Trace amount of drug remaining in animal meat or milk products.

Pharmacodynamics

Study of how drugs produce physiological changes in the body.

Efficacy

Degree to which a drug produces its desired therapeutic effect.

Potency

Amount of drug needed to produce a specified effect.

LD50

Drug dose lethal to 50 % of test animals.

ED50

Drug dose producing desired effect in 50 % of test animals.

Therapeutic index (TI)

Ratio LD50 / ED50; indicates drug safety margin.

Adverse drug reaction

Any undesired or harmful response to a drug.

Formulary

Reference book listing drug dosages, indications, and adverse reactions.

Proprietary (trade) name

Brand name chosen by manufacturer for a patented drug.

Generic drug

Unpatented copy of a drug sold under its chemical name.

EPA

Environmental Protection Agency; regulates animal topical pesticides.

DEA

Drug Enforcement Agency; oversees controlled substances and record-keeping.

USDA

United States Department of Agriculture; regulates biologics such as vaccines.

AMDUCA

Animal Medicinal Drug Use Clarification Act allowing extra-label drug use under conditions.

Six rights of drug administration

Right patient, drug, dose, route, time/frequency, and documentation.

Slip-tip syringe

Standard syringe with plain tip; common in veterinary use.

Luer-lock syringe

Syringe with threaded tip that secures needle, ideal for viscous fluids.

Eccentric-tip syringe

Large-volume syringe with off-center tip for parallel venous injections.

Catheter-tip syringe

Syringe with elongated tip for oral or catheter feeding.

IV catheter

Device placed in a vein for repeated intravenous access.

Butterfly catheter

Short-term IV catheter with winged needle.

Endotracheal tube

Tube placed in trachea for airway control and anesthetic delivery.

Tranquilizer

Drug class used to calm or quiet a patient (e.g., acepromazine).

Phenothiazine tranquilizer

Sedative agent producing calming without significant analgesia.

Neuroleptanalgesic

Combination of opioid and tranquilizer causing sedation with analgesia.

Behavioral pharmacotherapy

Use of drugs plus behavior modification to treat behavioral disorders.

Antianxiety medication

Drug that relieves anxiety; may cause lethargy or ataxia.

Antidepressant medication

Drug blocking norepinephrine/serotonin reuptake to treat obsessive disorders.

Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)

Drug that increases brain serotonin by preventing its removal.

Monoamine oxidase-B inhibitor

Drug blocking MAO-B enzyme, raising dopamine levels (e.g., for cognitive dysfunction).

Positive inotropic drug

Agent that strengthens force of heart contraction.

Negative inotropic drug

Agent that weakens force of heart contraction.

Positive chronotropic drug

Agent that increases heart rate.

Negative chronotropic drug

Agent that decreases heart rate.

Emetic

Drug that induces vomiting, useful in poisonings.

Antiemetic

Drug that prevents or controls vomiting (symptomatic).

Hemantic

Iron supplement drug that corrects anemia.

Anticoagulant

Drug that prevents or delays blood clot formation.

Laxative

Medication that stimulates bowel movements.

Antacid

Drug containing aluminum, calcium, or magnesium salts that neutralizes stomach acid.

Antitussive

Medication that suppresses nonproductive coughing.

Expectorant

Drug that decreases mucus adhesiveness to promote coughing up secretions.

Mucolytic

Drug that chemically breaks down mucus composition.

Decongestant

Agent that reduces nasal passage swelling or congestion.

Corticosteroid

Potent anti-inflammatory drug class used to control symptoms, not cure disease.

Acetylcholine

Neurotransmitter involved in muscle contraction, learning, and memory.

Anticholinergic

Drug that blocks acetylcholine, decreasing GI motility and drying secretions.

Adrenergic agent

Drug stimulating sympathetic system; used to treat hypotension or cardiac arrest.

Adrenergic antagonist

Drug reversing adrenergic effects; may treat urethral obstruction or glaucoma.

Barbiturate

CNS depressant drug class formerly used for anesthesia and seizure control.

NSAID

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug providing pain relief and anti-inflammation.

Synthetic progestin

Drug mimicking progesterone to treat hormone-related behavioral issues.

Euthanasia agent

Drug administered to humanely end an animal’s life quickly and painlessly.

Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)

Hormone (e.g., vasopressin) used to treat diabetes insipidus.

Urinary acidifier

Drug (methionine, ammonium chloride) that lowers urine pH to prevent certain stones.

Urinary alkalinizer

Drug (potassium citrate, sodium bicarbonate) that raises urine pH.

Urinary incontinence

Inability to voluntarily control urination, often due to nerve or hormone issues.

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs)

Compounds that help manage interstitial cystitis by preventing adhesion to bladder wall.

Epakitin

Chitosan-based phosphorus binder used in pets with renal failure.

Catecholamine

Sympathomimetic drug such as epinephrine that increases heart rate and blood pressure.

Bipyridine derivative

Inodilator (e.g., milrinone) that increases intracellular calcium to improve cardiac output.

Surfactant (GI)

Agent like docusate that lowers surface tension, softening stool contents.

Protectant (GI)

Substance coating GI lining to relieve inflammation (e.g., bismuth subsalicylate).

Adsorbent

Agent such as activated charcoal that binds toxins or bacteria in the gut.

Antifoaming agent

Product preventing gas bloat in ruminants by breaking foam bubbles.

GI prokinetic

Drug that enhances gastrointestinal motility to speed transit.

Bulk-producing agent

Fiber product (e.g., psyllium) absorbing water to stimulate peristalsis.