Glossary about veterinary medecine

20 Veterinary Medicine terms

This glossary covers terms from veterinary medicine. It allows you to learn more about the vocabulary used by veterinarians and animal staff. I carried my research on several sites and here is what I could find and learn.

Coccidiosis

This disease produced by coccidiosis is one of the most fatal in rabbits. Coccidia are microorganisms that attack the stomach and colon of the animal. These microorganisms normally live in equilibrium in the digestive system of the rabbit, but when the stress levels are very high in the animal and its immune defenses are weak, the coccidia multiply out of control and adversely affect the rabbit.

Example: This rabbit died of coccidiosis following high stress.

fr: Coccidiose

Colic

Violent spasmodic pain in the colon and more generally in the abdominal cavity.

Example: This cat is suffering from colic and needs to be treated.

fr: Colique

Coliform infection

This infection is a secondary infection caused by occasional parasites.

Example: This rabbit suffers from a coliform infection and is at risk of death if not treated.

fr: Infection coliforme

Corysa

Coryza is a very common respiratory disease in rabbits. It starts off as a common cold, but if not treated in time it can be very serious.

Example: This rabbit suffers from coryza and must be treated.

fr: Corysa

Dewormer

An agent that destroys or expels parasitic worms.

Example: This dog needs a dewormer.

fr: Vermifuge

Endometritis

Endometritis is an inflammatory condition of the lining of the uterus and is usually due to an infection.

Example: This dog suffers from endometritis.

fr: Endométrite

Equine infectious anemia

Equine infectious anemia (EIA) or swamp fever is a chronic horse disease of viral origin. More precisely, it is caused by a lentivirus of the Retroviridae family which only affects equines (horses, donkeys, zebras, mules, etc.).

Example: This horse suffers from equine infectious anemia and needs to be treated to get better.

fr: Anémie infectieuse équine

Feline leukosis

Feline leukosis is a disease caused by the feline leukemia virus, also commonly known as the feline leukemia virus (or FeLV, standing for Feline Leukemia Virus). This virus is a retrovirus, a virus in which genetic information is contained in RNA instead of DNA, producing an enzyme called reverse transcriptase that allows it to insert copies of their genetic material into that of cells that 'they infected.

Example: This kitten was diagnosed with feline leukosis.

fr: Leucose féline.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a chronic disease caused by the progressive destruction of the fibers of the optic nerve under the influence of various factors, the most common of which is the abnormal rise in intraocular pressure.

Example: This cat was diagnosed with glaucoma.

fr: Glaucome

Haemorrhagic Viral Disease (HVD)

Resistant and fatal disease which affects rabbits but also hares.

Example: Rabbits can have viral hemorrhagic disease and can die within days of the first symptom.

fr: Maladie virale hémorragique (VDH)

Hip dysplasia

Hip dysplasia is a birth defect that is the deformity of the hip joint.

Example: This dog has hip dysplasia.

fr: Dysplasie de la hanche

Infertility

Infertility is the difficulty for a couple to conceive a child.

Example: This animal suffers from infertility.

fr: Infertilité

Laryngitis

Laryngitis is an inflammation of your voice box (larynx) from overuse, irritation or infection.

Example: This dog suffers from laryngitis.

fr: Laryngite

Myxomatosis

Myxomatosis is a disease of the rabbit caused by the myxoma virus (family of poxviridae). This disease is characterized by tumors on the face and limbs of rabbits. It is mainly transmitted by mosquito or flea bite. However, the virus can be transmitted through contact with infected animals or contaminated objects.

Example: My rabbit was not vaccinated against myxomatosis so he died last week.

fr: Myxomatose

Pasteurellosis

Pasteurellosis is a disease of the respiratory system, but it can also cause inflammation and suppuration in other organs, such as the genitals.

Example: This rabbit suffers from pasteurellosis, which makes him suffer.

fr: Pasteurellose

Ringworm

Ringworm is a disease transmitted by a fungus (Trichophyton and Microsporum spp), which can be contracted by our pet rodents or rabbits.

Example: This rabbit will contract ringworm after coming into contact with an infecting rabbit.

fr: Teigne

Scabies

Skin problem caused by a parasitic mite that ends up affecting their entire health.

Example: This rabbit suffers from scarbies.

fr: Gale

Toxoplasmosis

Infection of humans, other mammals, or birds with disease caused by a toxoplasma (Toxoplasma gondii) that invades the tissues and may seriously damage the central nervous system especially of infants.

Example: This animal has toxoplasmosis and is at risk of dying.

fr: Toxoplasmose

Tularemia

A severe infectious bacterial disease of animals transmissible to humans, characterized by ulcers at the site of infection, fever, and loss of weight.

Example: This animal has tularemia and to infect its owner.

fr: Tularémie

Yeast infection

Yeast infection is a benign disease but it can be disabling. It affects just about everyone at least once in their life. You have to know how to act in time to stop the process of the yeast infection, some types can be contagious.

Example: This animal suffers from yeast infection and must be treated.

fr: Mycose