Veterinary Technician Terminology

Front 1

Excoriation

Back 1

Skin lesions caused by the self-trauma of scratching.

Front 2

Colitis

Back 2

Inflammation of the colon

Front 3

Aural

Back 3

In or of the ear

Front 4

Axillary

Back 4

Under the armpit

Front 5

Ataxia

Back 5

Uncoordinated gait usually associated with neurologically dysfunction

Front 6

Stridor

Back 6

A harsh, high-pitched respiratory sound usually caused by obstruction to the air flow at the pharynx or larynx

Front 7

Barbering

Back 7

A behavioral problem where the animal obsessively grooms to the point of damaging the hair and skin

Front 8

Icterus

Back 8

Yellow discoloration of the skin and mucous membrane resulting from accumulation of excess bilirubin, or excessive breakdown of RBC's

Front 9

Viseid

Back 9

Thick and sticky

Front 10

Viscus

Back 10

Any large internal organ
i.e. the intestines

Front 11

Dorsal Recumbancy

Back 11

Lying on its back

Front 12

Lateral Recumbency

Back 12

Lying on its side

Front 13

Recumbency

Back 13

Lying Down

Front 14

Pyuria

Back 14

The presence of pus in the urine

Front 15

Pruritic

Back 15

Itchy

Front 16

Pharynx

Back 16

The part of the digestive and respiratory tracts extending from the back of the nasal cavity and mouth to the esophagus

Front 17

pH

Back 17

The inverse logarithm of the hydrogen ion concentration of a fluid

Front 18

Nematode

Back 18

A roundworm
Heartworm

Front 19

Mycosis

Back 19

Fugal infection in or on a part of the body

Front 20

Hydrometra

Back 20

An accumulation of watery fluid in the uterus

Front 21

Hernia

Back 21

Abnormal protrusion of an organ or other body structure through a defect or natural opening in a covering, muscle, or bone

Front 22

Hematoma

Back 22

A blood clot

Front 23

Giardia

Back 23

A flagellated protozoan parasite of the small intestines
Animals with Giardia may have watery diarrhea
Can be spread to human via contaminated water

Front 24

Emesis

Back 24

Vomiting

Front 25

Cystotomy

Back 25

Incision into the bladder

Front 26

Cancer

Back 26

One of many diseases that are characterized by uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells within the body
If not controlled, death may result

Front 27

Epilepsy

Back 27

Brain disorder causing recurrent seizures

Front 28

Antibody

Back 28

Immunoglobin formed I blood or tissue that interacts only with antigens that induced its synthesis

Front 29

Antibiotic

Back 29

Substance produced by a microorganisms that inhibit or kills other microorganisms

Front 30

Hemolytic Anemia

Back 30

Abnormal destruction of red blood cells (RBC's)

Front 31

Glucosuria

Back 31

The presence of glucose in the urine

Front 32

Polydipsic

Back 32

Drinking more water than normal

Front 33

Nares

Back 33

Nostrils

Front 34

Halitosis

Back 34

A foul odor to the breath

Front 35

Shock

Back 35

A condition of decreased perfusion and decreased oxygen delivery to vital organs

Front 36

Pyometra

Back 36

Accumulation of purulent material within the lumen of the uterus
Secondary to abnormal changes in the uterine wall (cystic endometrial hyperplasia) as commonly seen in older queens and bitches.

Front 37

Renomegaly

Back 37

Enlargement of one or both kidneys

Front 38

Hypovolemia

Back 38

Decreased circulating blood volume

Front 39

Pulmonary Edema

Back 39

Fluid build up within the alveoli or interstitial spaces of the lungs

Front 40

Pulse Pressure

Back 40

The difference between the systolic and diastolic pressure
This determines the intensity of the sensation when palpitating peripheral pulse

Front 41

Pulse Deficit

Back 41

As detected by simultaneous cardiac auscultation and pulse palpation
A condition where each audible heartbeat is not accompanied by a palpable pulse wave

Front 42

Pleural Effusion

Back 42

Fluid build up in the space surrounding the lungs within the thorax

Front 43

Hypothermia

Back 43

Abnormally low body temperature
Temperature must be compared with what is normal for the age group because neonates have a lower body temperature than adults

Front 44

Petechiation

Back 44

Small visible pinpoint hemorrhage lesions less than 1mm in diameter

Front 45

Hyperthermia

Back 45

Elevation of body temperature
Caused by inadequate heat-dissipating mechanisms to overcome excessive ambient heat without a change in the body's thermoregulatory set-point

Front 46

Fever

Back 46

Elevation of body temperature
Caused by a temporary increase in the body's thermoregulatory set-point usually caused by infection, inflammation, or Neoplasia

Front 47

Lymphoma

Back 47

A blood cell cancer affecting the lymph nodes, bone marrow, or other organs

Front 48

Hip Dysplasia

Back 48

Malformed hip joints,
Causing variable degrees of lameness

Front 49

Anemia

Back 49

Low RBC Count

Front 50

Abscess

Back 50

Localized collection of pus in part of body
Formed by tissue disintegration usually resulting from bacterial infection and surrounded by an inflamed area.