ABVP Veterinary Practice key terms

Application of splints, wraps, or bandages to stabilize a fractured avian bone without surgery. Common for simple wing or leg fractures; requires attention to bird stress and to the risk of self-trauma or bandage slippage.

A bone containing air-filled spaces connected to the respiratory system, found in many birds. These bones are lighter but more brittle, changing how fractures and fixation devices behave in avian orthopedic surgery.

The ventral bony plate of the avian sternum that anchors the flight muscles. Prominence and muscle mass at the keel are used to judge body condition and chronic disease in birds.

Failure of the crop to empty normally, leaving a static, distended sac of food. Causes include infection, obstruction, dehydration, and systemic illness; affected birds may regurgitate and lose weight rapidly.

A metabolic disorder of late-pregnant ewes, most often carrying multiple lambs, in which energy demand exceeds intake. Signs include anorexia, weakness, and neurologic signs; treatment aims to correct hypoglycemia and ketosis.

A multifactorial pneumonia syndrome of cattle caused by interactions of viruses, bacteria, and stress such as transport and mixing. A leading cause of morbidity and mortality in feedlot and stocker cattle.

A pestivirus of cattle causing respiratory, enteric, and reproductive disease. Fetal infection can produce persistently infected animals that shed virus lifelong and are central to control programs.

An animal that carries and sheds a pathogen for life, usually after infection before immune competence develops. In cattle, persistently infected animals are the main reservoir for bovine viral diarrhea virus.

A metabolic disease of early-lactation cows in which negative energy balance leads to excessive ketone production. Signs include reduced appetite, drop in milk yield, and ketone odor on the breath.

Intramammary infection without visible changes in milk or udder. Detected by somatic cell counts or culture; it reduces milk yield and is a major target of dairy herd control programs.

The number of white blood cells and epithelial cells per milliliter of milk, used as an indicator of udder inflammation. Herd and cow counts guide mastitis monitoring and milk quality payment programs.

A condition of dairy cows, usually after calving, in which the abomasum fills with gas and shifts to the left or right side of the abdomen. Causes anorexia and reduced milk; left displacement is often corrected surgically.

Inflammation and failure of the lamellar attachments between the hoof wall and the distal phalanx. Causes severe lameness and can lead to rotation or sinking of the coffin bone; often associated with endocrine disease.

A disorder of insulin dysregulation and obesity in horses and ponies that predisposes to laminitis. Management centers on weight control, diet, and exercise rather than on medication alone.

A general term for abdominal pain in horses, most often arising from the gastrointestinal tract. Because signs can progress quickly, colic is treated as an emergency requiring early assessment and referral decisions.

A syndrome of cats causing signs such as straining, frequent small urinations, and blood in urine. Causes include idiopathic cystitis, stones, and plugs; urethral obstruction in males is life-threatening.

Blockage of the urethra, most common in male cats, that prevents urine outflow. It causes hyperkalemia, dehydration, and cardiac arrhythmias and is a medical emergency requiring immediate relief.

A malignant tumor arising at a site where a cat received an injection, often months to years later. Treatment usually requires wide surgical excision; vaccine site selection and record keeping support early detection.

A retrovirus of cats spread mainly by close contact and bite wounds. It can cause immunosuppression, anemia, and lymphoma; testing and vaccination status guide management in multi-cat homes.

Disease caused by Dirofilaria immitis, a mosquito-borne parasite that matures in the pulmonary arteries and right heart. Prevention with monthly preventives is preferred; treatment of established infection carries risk.

A highly contagious virus causing severe hemorrhagic enteritis, especially in unvaccinated puppies. It spreads through contaminated feces and environment; treatment is supportive and prevention is by vaccination.

Tearing of the ligament that stabilizes the canine stifle, causing hind limb lameness and joint instability. Common in middle-aged, overweight dogs; treatment is usually surgical stabilization.

A life-threatening condition, mainly of large-breed dogs, in which the stomach distends with gas and rotates. It compromises blood flow and breathing and requires immediate decompression and surgery.

Ending an animal's life because of severe, unmanageable behavior that poses risk to people or other animals. In shelter settings it follows standardized assessment and documented decision-making rather than convenience.

A shelter model in which animals are cared for in volunteer homes instead of, or in addition to, a facility. It reduces crowding and stress and can improve outcomes, but requires coordination of health and behavior monitoring.

A community cat management approach in which free-roaming cats are trapped, sterilized, vaccinated, and returned to their territory. It aims to stabilize colony size and reduce shelter intake over time.

A viral disease of pigs causing reproductive failure in sows and respiratory disease in growing pigs. Control relies on biosecurity, herd management, and vaccination or acclimatization strategies.

A syndrome of growing pigs linked to porcine circovirus type 2, causing weight loss, wasting, and respiratory or enteric signs. Vaccination of piglets is a main control measure.

A severe viral hemorrhagic disease of pigs with high mortality. There is no effective vaccine, so control depends on rapid detection, movement restriction, and strict biosecurity.

A skin disease of amphibians caused by the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis. It disrupts skin function and water balance and is associated with population declines; diagnosis uses skin swabs and PCR.

A group of bone disorders in captive reptiles, most often from inadequate calcium, vitamin D, or ultraviolet light. Signs include soft bones, tremors, and deformities; prevention centers on correct husbandry.

Reduced or absent gut motility in rabbits, often secondary to pain, poor diet, or stress. It is an emergency because rabbits cannot vomit and can deteriorate quickly; treatment supports hydration, pain control, and motility.

Abnormal alignment or overgrowth of continuously growing rabbit teeth, often due to diet low in abrasive fiber. It causes drooling, reduced eating, and gut stasis; management involves trimming and dietary correction.

Routine measurement of parameters such as ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH, and temperature in an aquarium or pond. Results guide diagnosis and treatment of fish disease, since most problems are environmental.

Practices that prevent introduction and spread of infectious agents on a farm, shelter, or facility. Includes visitor control, disinfection, isolation of new or sick animals, and traffic patterns.