Common Veterinary Abbreviations

  • AAHA - American Animal Hospital association

  • ac (ante cibum) - before meals

  • ACL - anterior cruciate ligament

  • ad lib - as much as desired

  • AI - artificial insemination

  • ALD - approx. lethal dose

  • ant - anterior

  • ASPCA - American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

  • AVMA - American Veterinary Medical Association

  • BID - twice a day

  • BP - blood pressure

  • bpm - beats per minute

  • Bx - biopsy

  • CAT scan - computerizes axial tomography scan

  • CBC - complete blood count

  • cc - cubic centimeter, also mL (milliter)

  • CNS - central nervous system

  • CVT - certified vet tech

  • DOA - dead on arrival

  • DOB - date of birth

  • DHLPP - distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parainfluenzas, parvovirus

  • DLH - domestic long hair

  • DSH - domestic short hair

  • DVM - doctor of veterinary medicine

  • Dx - diagnosis

  • ECG, EKG - electrocardiogram

  • E. coli - Escherichia coli

  • EDUB - eat, drink, urinate, bowl movement

  • FeLV - feline leukemia

  • FIA - feline infectious anemia

  • FIP - feline infectious peritonitis

  • FUD - fever of undetermined origin

  • FVRCP - feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, panleukopenia

  • Fx - fracture

  • GI - gastrointestinal

  • HBC - hit by car

  • HR - heart rate

  • Hx - history

  • ICU - intensive care unit

  • ID - intradermal

  • IDDM - insulin dependent diabetes mellitus

  • IM - intramuscular

  • IN - intranasal

  • IP - intraperitoneal

  • IV - intravenous

  • KBH - kicked by horse

  • LA - large animal

  • LD - lethal dose

  • LVT - licensed vet tech

  • ml - milliliter

  • n - normal

  • NAF - no abnormal findings

  • NAVTA - National Association of Vet Techs in America

  • NPO (nil pero os) - nothing by mouth

  • OR - operating room

  • pc (post cibum) - after meals

  • PCV - pack call volume

  • PE - physical examination

  • PO (per os) - orally

  • PTS - put to sleep

  • qd - every day

  • qh - ever hour

  • q4h - every 4 hours

  • QID - four times a day

  • qod - every other day

  • QOL - quality of life

  • rbc - red blood cell

  • Rx - prescription

  • SA - small animal

  • SID - one time per day

  • sg - specific gravity

  • Stat - immediately

  • SQ - subcutaneous

  • Sx - surgery

  • TID - three times pe day

  • TPR - temp, pulse, respiration

  • UA - urinalysis

  • wbc - white blood cell

  • w/ - with

  • w/o - without

  • wt - weight