VETS 302 Exam 1 Study Guide

History from owner

A key component of patient evaluation that involves collecting information about the animal's background, symptoms, and behaviors from its owner.

Physical examination

An evaluation of the patient conducted by the veterinarian, involving inspection, palpation, auscultation, and other techniques to assess the animal's health.

Initiate appropriate diagnostics

The process of conducting tests and examinations to identify underlying health issues in the animal.

Disease

Illness or sickness characterized by interruption of normal bodily functions.

Etiology

The study of the cause or reason for a disease.

Pathogen

Any virus, microorganism, or bacteria that causes disease.

Pathogenesis

The course of development of a disease.

Pathology

The study of suffering or disease.

Gross pathology

The study of organs and tissues in situ (as they sit).

Histopathology

The study of microscopic anatomy, structure, and function of tissues, both normal and diseased.

Clinical pathology

The study of samples (such as blood or feces) to detect a disease; includes hematology, cytology, serum chemistries, etc.

Homeostasis

The maintenance of physiological conditions in a living system.

Atrophy

Reduction in the size of a tissue or organ due to a decrease in the number or size of cells.

Hypertrophy

Increase in the size of an organ due to an increase in the size of the individual cells.

Hyperplasia

Increase in the size of an organ due to an increase in the number of cells.

Necrosis

Cell death resulting from damage to organelles or membranes.

Apoptosis

Programmed cell death where the cell actively participates in its own death.

Erythema

Redness, inflammation of the skin or mucous membranes.

Cranial

Referring to a direction towards the head of a quadruped.

Caudal

Referring to a direction towards the tail of a quadruped.

Focal

Indicates that an issue occurs at one specific location in an organ or place on the body.

Multifocal

Indicates that an issue occurs at multiple areas in an organ or place in the body.

Clinical signs

Observable symptoms indicative of a disease, often combined with patient history for diagnosis.

Differential Diagnosis

The process of distinguishing a particular disease from others that present similar clinical signs.

Final Diagnosis

The conclusion reached after evaluating all information: history, physical examination, clinical signs, and diagnostic results.

Epidemic

A sudden increase in the incidence rate of a disease in a population.

Morbidity

The ratio of the number of diseased individuals to healthy individuals in a specific group or population.

Mortality

The ratio indicating the number of deaths in a group of exposed individuals.

Antibodies

Proteins produced by the immune system to identify and neutralize antigens.

Antigens

Substances that trigger an immune response.

Colostrum

The first form of breastmilk that is nutrient-dense and high in antibodies, provided to newborns shortly after birth.

Vaccine

A biological preparation that improves immunity to a particular disease by containing killed or weakened pathogens.

Innate Immunity

The immune system's immediate response to pathogens that does not require previous exposure to the agent.

Adaptive Immunity

A specific immune response activated after exposure to a particular pathogen and targets specific invaders.

Immunoglobulins

Antibodies that are classified into different types such as IgG, IgM, IgA, IgE, and IgD, each with distinct roles in the immune response.

Inflammation

A biological response involving the release of vasoactive amines and production of cytokines in response to injury or infection.

Histamine

A compound that dilates most capillaries and venules, causing smooth muscle contraction and inflammation.

Stridor

A noisy, high-pitched sound during inspiration indicative of airway obstruction.

Dysphagia

Difficulty swallowing.

Dyspnea

Difficulty breathing.

Asphyxiation

Oxygen deprivation or suffocation.

Pulmonary edema

Fluid accumulation in the lungs.

Atelectasis

Failure of the alveoli to expand with air, resulting in a collapsed lung.

Shipping fever complex

A respiratory disease syndrome in livestock caused by stress and pathogens such as Pasteurella species.

Bronchitis

Inflammation of the bronchi.

Granulomatous bacterial pneumonia

A chronic lung infection characterized by adherence of bacteria to lung tissues.

Vaccination

A preventive measure to support an individual's immune response against specific pathogens.