Veterinary Glossary

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A

Anaesthesia

The use of controlled, reversible drug combinations to remove sensation, and usually consciousness, during surgery or painful procedures. The team chooses local, regional or general protocols to match the species, the procedure and the patient's health. Anaesthesia references →

Analgesia

The prevention and relief of pain without necessarily causing loss of consciousness. Modern plans combine drug classes such as NSAIDs, opioids and local anaesthetics, dosed for the species' own metabolism. Pharmacology shelf →

Anatomy

The study of the body's structure, bones, muscles, organs and vessels, and how structure supports function. It is the foundation for physical examination, imaging interpretation and surgery. Anatomy titles →

Asepsis

Keeping surgical instruments, the operating field and hands free of micro-organisms that could cause infection. Surgical scrub, sterile draping and disciplined instrument handling all serve aseptic technique. Surgery references →

B

Biopsy

Collection of a small piece of tissue for laboratory examination, usually to reach a definitive diagnosis. Samples may be taken by needle, endoscope or surgery, then read by a pathologist. Diagnostic procedures shelf →

Bovine

Relating to cattle and buffaloes. Bovine medicine spans herd health, calving, lameness, mastitis and production medicine. Bovine collection →

C

Canine

Relating to dogs. Canine medicine covers everything from vaccination and dentistry to cardiology, neurology and oncology. Ettinger's Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine →

Cardiology

The branch of medicine concerned with the heart and blood vessels, from heart murmurs and arrhythmias to congestive heart failure. Auscultation, ECG, echocardiography and radiography are its everyday tools. Cardiology titles →

Colic

Abdominal pain; in horses it is a leading emergency, with signs such as pawing, rolling and looking at the flank. Causes range from simple gas to a displaced or twisted intestine requiring surgery. Equine collection →

Cytology

The microscopic examination of individual cells, from fine-needle aspirates, blood smears or impression smears. It can answer 'inflammation or tumour?' in minutes rather than days. Cytology references →

D

Dentistry

Veterinary dentistry covers oral examination, cleaning and polishing, extractions and oral surgery in dogs, cats, horses and exotics. Dental disease is one of the most common problems in small-animal practice. Dentistry collection →

Dermatology

The branch dealing with the skin, hair, ears and nails. Allergies, infections, parasites and hormonal disease all show up on the skin, which makes dermatology a detective discipline. Dermatology titles →

Dyspnoea

Difficult or laboured breathing, always a sign to take seriously. It can originate in the lungs, the airways, the chest cavity or the heart, and stabilising oxygenation comes before the full work-up. Textbook of Small Animal Emergency Medicine →

E

Endoscopy

Using a flexible or rigid camera to look inside the body without open surgery. Endoscopy allows visual examination of the gut and airways, foreign-body removal and biopsy collection. Endoscopy references →

Epidemiology

The study of how disease moves through populations: incidence, prevalence, risk factors and outbreak control. It underpins herd health, food safety and zoonotic disease prevention. Epidemiology titles →

Equine

Relating to horses and donkeys. Equine practice covers lameness, colic, respiratory disease, dentistry and neonatal care. Equine collection →

F

Feline

Relating to cats. Feline medicine is its own discipline: cats metabolise many drugs differently from dogs, and they hide illness until it is advanced. Feline collection →

Fluid therapy

Giving fluids by intravenous, subcutaneous or oral routes to correct dehydration, maintain blood pressure and support organ perfusion. Choice of fluid and rate depend on what the patient has lost. Emergency & Critical Care →

G

Gastroenterology

The study and treatment of the stomach and intestines: vomiting, diarrhoea, motility disorders and pancreatic disease, plus the nutritional support that goes with them. Gastroenterology titles →

H

Haematology

The study of blood. A complete blood count and blood smear can reveal anaemia, infection, clotting problems and leukaemia within a single clinic visit. Haematology references →

Histology

The microscopic study of tissue structure. Biopsies are preserved, sliced thin, stained (commonly with haematoxylin and eosin) and read to identify what a lesion actually is. Histology titles →

I

Immunology

How the immune system defends the body, and what happens when it misfires: vaccine responses, autoimmune disease, hypersensitivity and immunodeficiency all belong here. Immunology references →

Infectious disease

Illness caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites. Diagnosis, treatment, quarantine and biosecurity are planned together, because treating the patient and protecting the herd are one job. Infectious Diseases shelf →

L

Lameness

An abnormal gait caused by pain or mechanical dysfunction somewhere in the limb or spine. Localising the source starts with observation and palpation, then nerve blocks and imaging. Orthopaedics titles →

Lesion

A defined area of abnormal tissue, whether a wound, an ulcer, a tumour or a subtle change seen only under the microscope. Describing lesions precisely is the language of pathology. Pathology shelf →

M

Microbiology

The study of bacteria, fungi and other micro-organisms. Culture and sensitivity testing tells the clinician not only which organism is present, but which drug will actually work. Microbiology titles →

MRI

Magnetic Resonance Imaging builds detailed cross-sectional pictures using a strong magnetic field and radio waves. It is unmatched for the brain, spinal cord and soft tissues. MRI & imaging references →

N

Necropsy

The post-mortem examination of an animal to determine the cause of death. In herds and flocks a necropsy can protect the whole remaining population. Pathology shelf →

Neonatology

The care of newborn animals: colostrum intake, temperature, blood glucose and the special fragility of the first days of life. Neonatology titles →

Neurology

The branch dealing with the brain, spinal cord and nerves. Seizures, incoordination, weakness and paralysis are neurological signs, and localising the lesion is half the diagnosis. Neurology references →

O

Oncology

The diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Depending on the tumour, management combines surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and supportive care, with quality of life as the measuring stick. Oncology titles →

Ophthalmology

The branch concerned with the eye and its surrounding structures: corneal ulcers, glaucoma, cataracts and sudden blindness all fall under it. Many eye problems are emergencies. Ophthalmology references →

Orthopaedics

The surgical and medical management of bones, joints, ligaments and tendons: fractures, cruciate injuries, hip dysplasia and arthritis. Orthopaedics titles →

P

Parasitology

The study of parasites: worms and protozoa inside the body, fleas, ticks and mites outside it. Control programmes are planned around the species, the region and the animal's lifestyle. Parasitology titles →

Pathology

The study of disease through tissues and body fluids, grossly and under the microscope. Pathology turns 'something is wrong' into a named, treatable condition. Pathology shelf →

Pharmacology

How drugs act on the body: absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, dosing and interactions. Species differences matter, a dose safe for one species can poison another. Pharmacology titles →

Prognosis

The expected course and outcome of a disease in a particular patient. It is built from the diagnosis, published evidence and the patient's own condition, and it is always a range, not a promise. Clinical Sciences shelf →

R

Radiology

The interpretation of X-ray images, and increasingly of CT and other cross-sectional studies. Positioning, exposure and a systematic reading order are what make a radiograph diagnostic. Radiology references →

Ruminant

Cattle, sheep and goats: animals with a multi-chambered forestomach that ferment forage before digestion. Rumen health is the centre of ruminant medicine. Sheep & Goat collection →

S

Sepsis

A life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by the body's own response to infection. Recognising it early, fluids and antibiotics in hand, is one of the true emergencies of the profession. Emergency & Critical Care →

Surgery

Treating disease and injury by operative procedures, supported by asepsis, anaesthesia and pain control. Sound tissue handling and haemostasis separate smooth recoveries from complicated ones. Surgery shelf →

T

Theriogenology

Animal reproduction: breeding management, pregnancy diagnosis, parturition and infertility. In farm practice the economics of the calving interval make it a production discipline too. Theriogenology titles →

Toxicology

The study of poisons: identifying the agent, estimating the dose, and choosing decontamination, antidotes or supportive care. Speed matters more than certainty in the first hour. Toxicology references →

U

Ultrasonography

Imaging with high-frequency sound waves. Abdominal scanning, echocardiography of the heart and pregnancy diagnosis are among its most common veterinary uses. Ultrasonography titles →

Urinalysis

Examination of urine: concentration, sediment, crystals, protein and glucose. Often collected in minutes, it answers questions about the kidneys, bladder and metabolic disease at once. Urology & Nephrology →

V

Vaccination

Stimulating the immune system to recognise a pathogen before natural exposure happens. Protocols are tailored to species, age, lifestyle and local disease risk. Immunology references →

Virology

The study of viruses and the diseases they cause, from parvovirus and calicivirus to rabies and influenza. Prevention, especially vaccination, outranks treatment in almost every viral disease. Virology titles →

Z

Zoonoses

Diseases that pass between animals and humans, rabies, leptospirosis, salmonellosis and many more. Veterinarians are the front line of protecting people as well as patients. Zoonoses collection →