Glossary

ACL Repair:
A surgical procedure to stabilize the stifle (knee). There are two thick, fibrous ligaments in your pet’s knee that help stabilize movement of the joint. If one of these ligaments snaps, the bones begin to grate on each other, creating swelling and lameness. If the joint is not stabilized then over time (months) the joint can become severely arthritic and painful.

Adenovirus (Hepatitis):
A virus which causes damage to the liver, kidneys, spleen and lungs in canines. Hepatitis can cause death, especially in puppies. Symptoms include fever, diarrhea and respiratory disease.

Anaplasmosis:
A disease transmitted by deer ticks, anaplasmosis, dogs infected can have symptoms of high fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting and diarrhea. Left untreated, anaplasmosis can cause damaged joints, bleeding and blood disorders.

Arrhythmias:
An abnormal rhythm of the heart, which is usually electrical. Arrhythmias are detected by an EKG (electrocardiogram) machine.

Bordetella:
A common bacterial infection which can contribute to kennel cough. Infected dogs show symptoms of dry, hacking cough and runny nose and eyes.

Calculus:
Hard, mineralized plaque deposited on the tooth surface

Calicivirus:
A serious feline respiratory infection. Symptoms include: fever, loss of appetite, nasal discharge and ulcers on the tongue.

Cytology:
The examination of a smear (from a swab, blood film, tissue imprint, FNA biopsy or hair) when bacterial or fungal diseases are suspected.

Cystotomy:
A surgical procedure of the urinary bladder commonly used to remove stones.

Dental Prophylaxis:
Cleaning of the teeth which involve calculus removal on the tooth and below the gingiva, fine-hand scaling, polishing, diagnostics and home-care instructions.

Distemper (canine):
This widespread and often fatal disease in canines. Clinical signs include fever, runny nose, cough, vomiting and may progress to muscle twitching and seizures.

DA2PPL:
Combo vaccine which includes parvovirus, distemper, adenovirus, parainfluenza and leptospirosis. All vaccines are administered in one injection.

EKG:
A recording of the electrical activity of the heart on a moving strip of paper. The electrocardiogram detects and records the electrical potential of the heart during contraction.

Echocardiography:
Ultrasound examination of the heart.

Ehrlichiosis:
Transmitted by the brown dog tick, ehrlichia has symptoms similar to anaplasmosis and lyme disease, which include loss of appetite, fever, painful joints and also include depression, bloody nose and pale gums. Left untreated ehrlichia can cause permanent blindness, auto-immune disease, bleeding complications and death.

Exploratory Laparotomy:
A surgical procedure used as a diagnostic tool to visualize the structures inside the abdominal cavity.

Fasting
Eliminating food and water from your pet’s diet prior to blood work or surgery.

Panleukopenia (feline distemper):
The most widespread of all cat diseases, this extremely contagious disease causes fever, loss of appetite, vomiting and diarrhea. Feline panleukopenia has a high morality rate, especially in kittens.

FNA’s (Fine Needle Aspirate):
Diagnostic technique using a needle to withdraw cells from tissue. The tissues are examined under a microscope to identify abnormalities , such as inflammation, tumor or infection.

FVRCP:
Combo vaccine which includes feline panleukopenia, calicivirus and rhinotracheitis.

Gingivitis:
Gingivitis is redness caused by inflammation of the gingiva (gums) which surround the tooth.

Heartworm:
A parasite which is transmitted by infected mosquitoes, canines are most commonly affected; however felines can also be infected. The heartworm infests the lungs and heart and can lead to death. Prevention is much more cost effective and convenient, because treatment is difficult and expensive.

Hip Luxations:
A dislocation of the hip joint, caused when a portion of the joint capsule and the round ligament is torn. Luxations are generally the result of external trauma.

Leptospirosis:
This bacterial infection can lead to permanent kidney, liver and other major organ damage and is also easily spread to other pets and humans if they come in contact with infected urine.

Leukemia:
This viral infection has several different forms, varying in severity. Some cats can live normal lives with little effect from the virus; others have persistent infections which can become fatal. Leukemia is spread by intimate moist contact such as shared food and water bowls and mutual grooming.

Lyme disease:
This disease is transmitted by deer ticks, dogs and humans are susceptible to infection. Lyme disease can seriously damage the joints and kidneys. Symptoms include lethargy, lameness, fever, swollen joints and anorexia.

OCD (Osteochondritis dissecans):
A change of the cartilage that lines the joints, which produces areas of thickened irregular cartilage which is prone to injury and breaking loose. When this occurs ulcers can form and chronic pain develops when there is movement in of the joint. OCD most commonly affects large breed dogs in the shoulder, stifle, ankle, elbow and possibly the back.

Parainfluenza:
This virus is spread through the cough of infected dogs, also another form of kennel cough. Usually a mild respiratory infection in healthy dogs, it can become more severe in puppies or debilitated dogs.

Parvovirus:
This disease is especially dangerous in puppies. Parvovirus causes disease in the gastrointestinal tract and sometimes in the heart muscles. Symptoms include bloody diarrhea, fever and dehydration.

Plaque:
A thin sticky film covering the teeth composed of bacteria, saliva, food particles and epithelial cells.

Periodontal Disease:
The advancement of plaque and inflammation which degrade the tissue and destroy the periodontium (teeth). Periodontal Disease is divided into grades for the purpose of evaluation and treatment. The stage of periodontal disease is somewhat subjective, what matters it the evaluation of plaque, calculus, gingival inflammation, gingival recession and bone loss.

Rabies:
Rabies is a highly contagious virus that attacks the brain and central nervous systems, any warm-blooded animal can be infected. The virus is spread through saliva, commonly transmitted by the bite from an infected animal. Most commonly found wild animals that are infected in the North Shore area are raccoons, foxes and bats. Early signs of the disease include change in behavior such as restlessness, aggression or fear.

Rhinotracheitis:
Is a highly contagious respiratory disease. Symptoms include sneezing, loss of appetite, fever and eye inflammation. Discharge can occur from the nose and eyes as the disease progresses.

Spelenctomy:
Surgical removal of the spleen.

Ultrasound:
The use of high frequency sound to display images of internal organs without the need of surgery.