Glossary
Some of the technical terms we use can be quite confusing and it can be a bit like having to learn a foreign language to understand us! The following list describes, in very simple terms, some of the common words we might use when discussing your pet’s health include:
A
Addisons
an illness caused by a deficiency of a hormone produced by the adrenal gland; also called hypoadrenocorticism
Adenocarcinoma
a malignant tumour arising from glandular tissue
Allergy
an abnormal reaction following exposure to an allergen
Allergen
a substance capable of inducing allergy or hypersensitivity
Aalopecia
deficiency of hair caused by failure to grow or abnormal loss
Anaemia
a reduction below normal of the number of red blood cells
Anaesthetic
an agent used to produce anaesthesia
Anatomy
the science dealing with the form and structure of living organisms
Antibody
specialized proteins produced by white blood cells that protect the body
Antigen
a substance that can induce an immune response
Arthritis
inflammation of a joint
Aural
relating to the ear
Autoimmune Disease
a disease caused by an antibody or immune response against the body's own tissue
Autoimmune Haemolytic Anaemia
a disease caused by antibodies that react against the body's red blood cells causing a reduction in numbers of red blood cells
B
Benign
not malignant or recurrent - favourable for recovery
Bronchitis
inflammation of the large airways within the lungs
Bile Acids
steroid acids derived from cholesterol used in blood tests as a measure liver function
C
Calcinosis Circumscripta
localized deposits of calcium commonly in the skin
Campylobacter
bacterium that often causes tummy upsets; can be transmitted to people
Cancer
a tumour - can be benign or malignant
Carcinoma
a malignant tumour that can affect mammary glands, womb, intestines, skin and
tongue
Cardiomyopathy
a disease of the heart muscle
Cataracts
opacity of the lens of the eye
Cerebellum
part of the brain
Cervical
relating to the neck; or to the cervix
Chemotherapy
treatment of illness by chemical means usually used when referring to treatment of
cancers
Cleft Palate
a split in the roof of the mouth
Congenital
present at or existing from birth
Cruciate Ligament
cross shaped band of fibrous tissue in the knee joint
Cryptorchid
where a testis does not descend properly into the scrotum
Cushings
an illness caused by excess of a hormone produced by the pituitary gland of the brain; also called hyperadrenocorticism or HAC
Cystitis
inflammation of the urinary bladder
D
Demodectic Mange
a skin disease caused by a mite
Dermatitis
inflammation of the skin
Diabetes
diseases characterized by excess drinking and urinating
Diabetes Mellitus
disease characterized by excess drinking and urinating as a result of abnormal blood sugar control
Dysplasia
an abnormality of development; or an alteration in size, shape and organization of adult cells
E
Ectopic Cilia
a eyelash [cilia] growing in an abnormal position [ectopic]
Ectropion
turning outwards - usually used to describe a condition of the eyelids
Entropion
turning inwards - usually used to describe a condition of the eyelids
Epilepsy
disturbance of the nervous tissues in the brain often resulting in fits
F
Fading Puppy/Kitten
puppies or kittens apparently normal at birth that slowly weaken and die
Fragmented Coronoid Process
developmental lesion of young dogs that causes lameness in the forelimb;also known as FCP
Fibrosarcoma
a malignant tumour occurring in many organs
Fracture
a break especially of a bone
G
GDV/Bloat
Gastric Dilatation Volvulus - distended stomach which sometimes also twists associated with high mortality rate
Glomerulonephritis
inflammatory condition of the kidneys
H
Haemangiosarcoma
a malignant tumour occurring in the spleen, liver, skin, heart and muscle
Haematoma
a collection of blood, like a blood clot, outside of a blood vessel
Hernia
a weak spot or opening allows tissues to protrude through to rest in an abnormal
position
Hip Dysplasia
a disease affecting the hip joint, the degree to which it occurs can be inherited
Hyperthyroid
excessive activity of the thyroid gland resulting in high levels of thyroxine; very common in cats
Hypothyroid
a deficiency of thyroid gland activity resulting in low levels of thyroxine; common in
dogs
Hot Spot
synonym for acute moist dermatitis a superficial bacterial infection of the skin usually caused by self trauma
Hyper
abnormally increased; excessive; over
Hypo
abnormally decreased; deficient; beneath; under
I
Idiopathic
occurring without known cause
Incontinence
inability to control excretory functions
Intervertebral disc
pad of fibrocartilage between two vertebrae
Intsussusception
prolapse of one part of the intestine into an adjacent part of intestine
J
Jejunum
part of the small intestine
K
Keratitis
inflammation of the cornea of the eye
L
Leukaemia
a progressive malignant disease of the blood or bone marrow
Luxation
dislocation
Lymphoma
a cancer of lymphoid tissue
Lymphosarcoma
a malignant cancer of lymphoid tissue
M
Malignant
tending to become progressively worse and result in death
Mast Cell Tumour
a tumour of mast cells; usually occurs as a growth in the skin; can be benign or
malignant
Mastitis
inflammation of the mammary gland [breast tissue]
Megaoesophagus
chronic dilatation and lack of tone of the oesophagus [gullet]
Meningitis
inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord
Mitral Valve Defect
a problem affecting the valves in the left side of the heart
Murmur
an abnormal sound heard when listening to the heart
N
Nephron
structural and functional unit of the kidney
O
Osteochondritis Dissecans
inflammation of the bone and cartilage; also known as OCD
P
Pain
the feeling of distress, suffering or agony caused by stimulation of nerve endings
Pancreatitis
inflammation of the pancreas
Panosteitis
inflammation of every part of a bone
Patella
kneecap
Patent Ductus Areteriosus
abnormality of the large vessels serving the heart persisting after birth; also known as
PDA
Pemphigus
immune mediated disease affecting the skin and mucous membranes
Pica
craving for unnatural items of food or depraved appetite
Pituitary
a gland at the base of the brain that produces hormones
Portosystemic Shunt
persistence of particular blood vessel in the liver beyond birth; also known as PSS
Pre-medication
agents given to produce sedation or narcosis prior to general anaesthesia
Progressive Retinal Atrophy
advancing disease affecting eyesight; also known as PRA
Prostatitis
inflammation of the prostate
Pulse Oximeter
a device used to monitor blood oxygen levels
Pyoderma
purulent skin disease
Pyometra
accumulation of pus in the womb
Q
Quarantine
period of restrictions placed on entering or leaving a premises where communicable disease is suspected
R
Radiography
the making of records of internal structures of the body using x-rays
S
Salmonella
bacterium that can cause serious illness
Sarcoptic Mange
an intensely itchy skin disease caused by a mite
Sebaceous Adenitis
inflammation of the glands in the skin that secrete oil
Seborrhoea
abnormal secretion from the oil glands of the skin causing dandruff to greasy scales
Staphylococcus
bacteria that normally lives on the skin and respiratory tract but can cause serious
illness
Stenosis
a narrowing or constriction
Streptococcus
bacterium that can cause serious illness
Systemic Lupus Erythematosis
a multisystem autoimmune disease; also known as SLE
T
Thrombocytopaenia
a reduction in the number of circulating platelets
Thryroid
a gland in the neck that secretes hormones that control aspects of metabolism
U
Ununited
failure of closure
Uroliths
a stone in the urine or urinary tract
V
Von Willebrands Disease
a congenital disorder of the blood resulting in prolonged bleeding times; also known as VWD
W
Weil's Disease
human leptospirosis
X
Xiphisternum
sword shaped cartilage at the posterior end of the sternum
Y
Yersinia
a bacterium that causes septicaemia often with gastro-intestinal signs and can be fatal; also known as pseudoTB
Z
Zoonosis
disease of animals that can be transmitted to humans
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