Cat & Dog Diseases — Endocrinology and Nutrition (Vocabulary Flashcards)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the lecture notes on nutrition, nephrology, endocrinology, and feline/dog diseases. Each card defines a term succinctly to aid exam prep.

Calcium restriction in large breed puppies

Limiting calcium intake to prevent skeletal abnormalities such as osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) and retained cartilage cores.

Maintenance energy requirement (dogs and cats)

Dogs: 30 × body weight + 70; Cats: 80 × body weight.

Vitamin A deficiency

Causes nyctalopia (night blindness) due to vitamin A needed for retina function.

Hypoglycemia in toy breed dogs

Low blood sugar that can cause status epilepticus if not eating; common in young toy breeds.

Insulinoma (beta cell tumor)

Pancreatic tumor causing hypoglycemia.

Hepatocellular carcinoma

Liver cancer that can cause hypoglycemia in dogs.

Ectopic ureter

Congenital ureter ending outside the bladder, causing incontinence; requires advanced imaging (CT, cystoscopy, ultrasound, excretory urogram, vaginourethrography).

Amyloidosis in Shar-Pei

Amyloid deposition in organs common in Shar-Pei; signs include lethargy, PU/PD, decreased appetite, proteinuria; kidneys may be waxy, gray, enlarged.

Nephrotic syndrome

Proteinuria, hypercholesterolemia, edema/ascites, hypoproteinemia.

ACE inhibitors (nephrology)

Medications that reduce proteinuria in glomerular disease.

Dietary protein restriction (nephrology)

Diet modification to decrease proteinuria in glomerular disease.

Aspirin (antithrombotic management)

Used to decrease platelet function to alleviate hypercoagulable state when antithrombin III is lost.

Fanconi syndrome (Basenjis)

Proximal renal tubular disease; notably reported in Basenjis.

Copper toxicosis in Bedlington Terriers

Copper accumulation in liver leading to liver failure signs.

Bile peritonitis diagnostic bilirubin ratio

Diagnostic criterion: peritoneal fluid bilirubin concentration twice that of serum bilirubin.

Hyperthyroidism in cats

Common in cats around 8 years and older; hypermetabolic state with active T3; may have elevated free T4.

Adenomatous hyperplasia (feline hyperthyroidism causes)

One cause of feline hyperthyroidism, along with thyroid adenomas and carcinomas.

Thyroid slip (palpable thyroid nodule)

Palpable thyroid nodule in a hyperthyroid cat; signs include restlessness, polyphagia, weight loss.

Serum T4 in feline hyperthyroidism; free T4 by equilibrium dialysis

Initial diagnostic test (serum T4); if normal with suspicion, measure free T4 by equilibrium dialysis.

Scintigraphy in feline hyperthyroidism

Imaging to assess thyroid gland function; may reveal hypermetabolic changes and effects on kidneys and leukogram.

Pre-treatment renal and hepatic assessment in feline hyperthyroidism

Evaluate renal and liver values before treatment; methimazole can be hepatotoxic and may unmask renal disease.

Methimazole therapy for feline hyperthyroidism

Antithyroid drug; initial use can unmask occult renal insufficiency; side effects include extreme facial pruritus with excoriations.