Pet Health Glossary A–Z

Plain-English definitions of 50 veterinary and pet care terms — written for dog and cat owners, not medical professionals. Click any term to read the full definition, key facts, and FAQ.

Jump to: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
50
Terms Defined
46
Dog Terms
40
Cat Terms
32
Vet/Medical Terms

A

Allergen
Dog Health Cat Health
An allergen is any substance that triggers an abnormal immune response in a sensitive pet. Common pet allergen…
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Anemia
Dog Health Cat Health
Anemia is a condition in which a pet has an abnormally low number of red blood cells or insufficient hemoglobi…
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Antiparasitic
Dog Health Cat Health
An antiparasitic is any medication or treatment that kills, repels, or prevents parasites — including fleas, t…
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Atopy (Atopic Dermatitis)
Dog Health Cat Health
Atopy, or atopic dermatitis, is a chronic allergic skin disease caused by an overactive immune response to env…
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B

Benign
Dog Health Cat Health
In veterinary medicine, benign describes a tumour or growth that is not cancerous, does not invade surrounding…
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Bloat / GDV (Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus)
Dog Health Veterinary Term
Bloat, or gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), is a life-threatening emergency in which the stomach fills with g…
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Brachycephalic
Dog Health Cat Health
Brachycephalic refers to animals with a shortened, flattened skull that compresses the airway, nasal passages,…
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C

Castration (Neutering)
Dog Health Cat Health
Castration, commonly called neutering in males, is the surgical removal of the testes. It permanently eliminat…
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Chronic
Dog Health Cat Health
In veterinary medicine, chronic describes a condition that develops slowly, persists for a long time (generall…
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Congenital
Dog Health Cat Health
A congenital condition is one that is present at birth, whether inherited genetically or caused by development…
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D

Dehydration
Dog Health Cat Health
Dehydration is a deficiency of total body water that occurs when fluid losses exceed fluid intake. In pets, it…
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Desensitisation
Dog Health General Pet Care
Desensitisation is a behaviour modification technique that gradually reduces a pet's fear or anxiety response …
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Dysplasia
Dog Health Cat Health
Dysplasia means abnormal development or growth of a tissue or organ. In companion animal medicine, the term mo…
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E

Ectoparasite
Dog Health Cat Health
An ectoparasite is a parasite that lives on the external surface of its host — on or in the skin, coat, or ear…
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Euthanasia
Dog Health Cat Health
Euthanasia in veterinary medicine is the deliberate, painless ending of an animal's life to relieve suffering …
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F

Feline Idiopathic Cystitis (FIC)
Cat Health Veterinary Term
Feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC) is a painful inflammation of the bladder in cats with no identifiable infecti…
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Flea Allergy Dermatitis (FAD)
Dog Health Cat Health
Flea allergy dermatitis (FAD) is the most common allergic skin disease in both dogs and cats. It is caused by …
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FLUTD (Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease)
Cat Health Veterinary Term
FLUTD is an umbrella term for conditions affecting the bladder and urethra of cats, including feline idiopathi…
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H

Heartworm Disease
Dog Health Cat Health
Heartworm disease is a serious, potentially fatal parasitic infection caused by Dirofilaria immitis, a worm tr…
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Hepatic Lipidosis (Fatty Liver Disease)
Cat Health Veterinary Term
Hepatic lipidosis, or fatty liver disease, is the most common serious liver disease in cats and is caused by r…
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Hyperthyroidism
Cat Health Veterinary Term
Hyperthyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland produces excessive thyroid hormone, causing the meta…
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Hypothyroidism
Dog Health Veterinary Term
Hypothyroidism is a deficiency of thyroid hormone caused by underactive thyroid glands. It is the most common …
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I

Idiopathic
Dog Health Cat Health
Idiopathic means arising spontaneously from an unknown cause. In veterinary medicine, a condition labelled idi…
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Immunosuppression
Dog Health Cat Health
Immunosuppression is a reduction in the effectiveness of the immune system, either caused by disease or delibe…
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Intoxication (Pet Poisoning)
Dog Health Cat Health
Intoxication in pets means poisoning — exposure to a substance that causes harmful effects through its chemica…
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K

Kennel Cough (Infectious Tracheobronchitis)
Dog Health Veterinary Term
Kennel cough is a highly contagious respiratory infection in dogs characterised by a harsh, honking cough that…
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L

Lyme Disease
Dog Health Veterinary Term
Lyme disease is a tick-borne bacterial infection caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, transmitted by infected Ixode…
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Lymphoma
Dog Health Cat Health
Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system — originating in lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell) found i…
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M

Malignant
Dog Health Cat Health
Malignant describes a tumour or growth that is cancerous — it has the ability to invade surrounding tissues an…
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Microchip (Pet Microchipping)
Dog Health Cat Health
A pet microchip is a tiny radio-frequency identification (RFID) device, about the size of a grain of rice, imp…
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N

Neoplasia
Dog Health Cat Health
Neoplasia means abnormal and uncontrolled growth of cells. It is the formal medical term for cancer or tumour …
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Neutering (Spaying and Castration)
Dog Health Cat Health
Neutering is the surgical removal of an animal's reproductive organs to prevent reproduction. In females, it i…
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O

Obesity (in Pets)
Dog Health Cat Health
Pet obesity is defined as body weight 20% or more above ideal weight. It affects 50–65% of dogs and cats in de…
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Operant Conditioning
Dog Health General Pet Care
Operant conditioning is the learning process in which behaviour is modified by its consequences. Animals (and …
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P

Parvovirus
Dog Health Veterinary Term
Parvovirus (CPV-2) is a highly contagious, often fatal viral disease in dogs that attacks the gastrointestinal…
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Prognosis
Dog Health Cat Health
Prognosis is a prediction of the likely outcome and course of a disease or condition, based on the diagnosis, …
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Pyometra
Dog Health Cat Health
Pyometra is a life-threatening bacterial infection of the uterus that occurs in intact (unspayed) female dogs …
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R

Rabies
Dog Health Cat Health
Rabies is a fatal viral disease of the nervous system caused by the rabies virus, transmitted through the sali…
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Ringworm (Dermatophytosis)
Dog Health Cat Health
Ringworm is a fungal skin infection, not a worm, caused by dermatophyte fungi (most commonly Microsporum canis…
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S

Seizure
Dog Health Cat Health
A seizure is a sudden, uncontrolled electrical disturbance in the brain that temporarily disrupts normal funct…
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Socialisation
Dog Health Cat Health
Socialisation is the process by which young animals learn to interact confidently with other animals, people, …
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Spay (Ovariohysterectomy / Ovariectomy)
Dog Health Cat Health
Spaying is the surgical sterilisation of female dogs and cats through the removal of the ovaries (ovariectomy)…
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T

Tapeworm
Dog Health Cat Health
Tapeworms are flat, segmented intestinal parasites that live in the small intestine of dogs and cats. The most…
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Titer Test
Dog Health Cat Health
A titer test (also written as titre test) measures the concentration of antibodies in a pet's blood to a speci…
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V

Vaccination
Dog Health Cat Health
Vaccination is the process of introducing an antigen (a killed, modified-live, or recombinant pathogen) into a…
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Vestibular Disease
Dog Health Veterinary Term
Vestibular disease is a sudden disruption to the vestibular system — the balance and spatial orientation appar…
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W

Whelping
Dog Health General Pet Care
Whelping is the process of a dog giving birth. Normal whelping occurs in three stages: preparation (the cervix…
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X

Xylitol Toxicity
Dog Health General Pet Care
Xylitol is a sugar alcohol sweetener used in many sugar-free products — chewing gum, some peanut butters, bake…
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Y

Yeast Infection (Malassezia Dermatitis)
Dog Health Cat Health
Yeast infection in pets — most commonly caused by Malassezia pachydermatis — is an overgrowth of naturally occ…
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Z

Zoonosis (Zoonotic Disease)
Dog Health Cat Health
A zoonosis (plural: zoonoses) is a disease that can be transmitted between animals and humans. Examples releva…
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⚠ Medical Disclaimer: This glossary is for educational purposes only. It does not constitute veterinary advice. Always consult a licensed veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment of your pet.