NAVLE key terms

Mosquito-borne infection by Dirofilaria immitis. Adult worms live in pulmonary arteries and can cause cough, exercise intolerance, and right-sided heart failure. Prevention with monthly preventatives is safer than treating established infection.

Highly contagious viral enteritis of dogs, especially unvaccinated puppies. It causes vomiting, bloody diarrhea, dehydration, and low white blood cell counts. Treatment is supportive fluids and electrolyte care; vaccination prevents disease.

Parvovirus infection of cats that attacks rapidly dividing cells. Signs include fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and severely low white blood cells. Kittens are most vulnerable; supportive care and vaccination are central to management.

A group of disorders causing difficult, painful, or frequent urination in cats. Urethral obstruction, especially in male cats, is a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate relief and fluid therapy.

A pus-filled uterus in an intact female, often developing after estrus. Bacteria and hormonal changes allow infection to build. Closed-cervix cases can cause sepsis and require emergency ovariohysterectomy and fluids.

Common endocrine disease of dogs in which the thyroid gland produces too little hormone. It causes weight gain, lethargy, cold intolerance, and skin or coat changes. Daily levothyroxine replacement is the standard treatment.

Common disease of older cats caused by excessive thyroid hormone production, usually from benign thyroid nodules. Signs include weight loss despite good appetite, hyperactivity, and fast heart rate. Treatment options include methimazole, radioactive iodine, or surgery.

A disorder of carbohydrate metabolism caused by inadequate insulin action. Dogs and cats develop high blood sugar, excessive thirst and urination, and weight loss. Insulin injections, diet, and monitoring are mainstays of therapy.

Progressive, irreversible loss of kidney function, common in older cats and dogs. Signs include increased thirst and urination, weight loss, poor appetite, and vomiting. Management focuses on hydration, blood pressure, phosphate control, and kidney-friendly diet.

An allergic skin disease, often inherited, in which dogs or cats react to environmental allergens such as pollens or dust mites. It causes itching, redness, and recurrent skin or ear infections. Treatment includes allergen avoidance, medications, and immunotherapy.

A life-threatening emergency, mostly in large deep-chested dogs, in which the stomach distends with gas and rotates. The dog retches without vomiting and can go into shock. Immediate decompression, fluids, and surgery are needed.

An allergic inflammatory disease of the lower airways in cats. It causes coughing, wheezing, and labored breathing. Treatment uses bronchodilators for acute attacks and corticosteroids to reduce airway inflammation; avoiding triggers helps.

A disease caused by a mutated feline coronavirus that triggers severe inflammation, often with abdominal or chest fluid or organ granulomas. It is usually fatal without antiviral treatment; supportive care and prevention of stress matter.

A common cause of hindlimb lameness in dogs in which the cranial cruciate ligament tears. The joint becomes unstable, leading to arthritis. Treatment is usually surgical stabilization plus weight control and rehabilitation.

Painful inflammation of the laminae, the tissues connecting the hoof wall to the coffin bone. It causes severe lameness and can lead to founder. Common triggers include endocrine disease, grain overload, and supporting-limb overload.

A general term for abdominal pain in horses, with causes ranging from gas and impaction to strangulating intestinal lesions. Signs include pawing, rolling, poor appetite, and reduced manure. Rapid assessment and treatment are essential.

A contagious respiratory infection of horses caused by Streptococcus equi subspecies equi. It produces fever, nasal discharge, and swollen lymph nodes that may abscess. Quarantine, supportive care, and sometimes antibiotics are used.

A herpesvirus of horses that can cause respiratory disease, abortion in pregnant mares, and neurologic signs. It spreads by close contact and contaminated equipment. Vaccination and strict biosecurity reduce outbreaks.

A retroviral disease of horses spread mainly by biting insects. Infected horses may show fever, weight loss, and anemia, but many are silent carriers. There is no treatment; control relies on testing and quarantine.

An endocrine disease of older horses, also called equine Cushing's disease, caused by overactivity of the pituitary pars intermedia. It causes hirsutism, muscle loss, laminitis, and delayed shedding; pergolide is usual treatment.

A condition of horses and ponies marked by obesity, regional fat deposits, and insulin dysregulation. Affected animals are at high risk for laminitis. Management centers on weight loss, exercise, and low-sugar forage.

A bacterial pneumonia of foals, usually under six months old, caused by Rhodococcus equi. It produces fever, cough, and abscesses in the lungs. Diagnosis often uses ultrasound; treatment is prolonged macrolide and rifampin.

A metabolic disease of dairy cows, especially after calving, when energy demand exceeds intake. It causes ketone buildup, poor appetite, weight loss, and decreased milk production. Treatment includes glucose and supportive care.

A calcium deficiency common around calving in dairy cows. It causes muscle weakness, recumbency, and cold extremities. Intravenous calcium quickly reverses signs; prevention includes diet and calcium management before calving.

A multifactorial pneumonia complex in cattle often triggered by stress, viruses, and bacteria. Signs include fever, cough, nasal discharge, and rapid breathing. Treatment uses antibiotics and support; prevention relies on ventilation, vaccination, and low-stress handling.

Inflammation of the udder, usually caused by bacterial infection entering the teat canal. Milk may be clotted, discolored, or reduced. Treatment depends on the pathogen; hygiene, teat dipping, and dry-cow therapy help prevent new cases.

A chronic bacterial infection of ruminants caused by Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis. It produces weight loss and diarrhea, especially in adult cattle. Control uses testing, culling, and careful calf-rearing management.

A condition in dairy cows, often after calving, in which the abomasum moves to the left side of the abdomen and traps gas. It causes reduced appetite and milk production; a ping is heard on auscultation. Surgery or rolling corrects it.

A viral disease of pigs causing late-term reproductive failure in sows and respiratory illness in growing pigs. Control relies on biosecurity, vaccination, and herd management.

An infectious disease that can be transmitted from animals to humans. Examples include rabies, brucellosis, and toxoplasmosis. Veterinarians must recognize and report relevant zoonoses and advise owners on prevention.

The required interval after giving a drug before milk, meat, or eggs from treated food animals may enter the human food supply. It prevents illegal drug residues and is printed on approved product labels.

A professional relationship in which the veterinarian has examined the animal or herd, knows the owner, and is available for follow-up. Many drugs require a valid relationship.

Responsible use of antibiotics to preserve effectiveness. It includes using drugs only when needed, choosing the right drug and dose, and avoiding unnecessary or prolonged treatment. Culture and sensitivity testing guide choices.

A disease that must be reported to animal health authorities, often because of trade or public health importance. Examples include rabies, anthrax, and foot-and-mouth disease. Reporting supports surveillance and rapid outbreak response.