Medical Terms
Medical Abbreviations and Definitions
Abbreviations:
ASD: Atrial septal defects
BAER: Atrial septal defects
CEA: Collie eye anomaly
CHD: Canine hip dysplasia
CPRA: Central progressive retinal atrophy
CTP: Thrombocytopenia
HOD: Hypertrophic osteodystrophy
KCS: Keratoconjunctivitis sicca
MPS: Mucopolysacharidosis
MVI: Mitral valve insufficiency
OCD: Osteochondritis dissecans
PDA: Patent ductus arteriosus
PFK: Phosphofructokinase deficiency
PK: Pyruvate kinase deficiency
PPM: Persistent papillary membrane
PRA: Progressive retinal atrophy
VKH: Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada-like syndrome
Definitions for Canine Medical Conditions and Diseases
A
Atrial septal defects (ASD): Hole in the wall separating the right and left atria of the heart.
B
Brachycephalic syndrome: Abnormal development of the hip assembly wherein the head of the femur does not fit snugly into the pelvic socket.
C
Canine hip dysplasia (CHD): Abnormal development of the hip assembly wherein the head of the bemur does not fit snugly into the pelvic socket.
Cardiomyopathy: Enlargement of the heart resulting from dysfunction of the heart muscle.
Cataract: Opacities of the lens of the eye.
Central progressive retinal atrophy (CPRA): Degeneration of retinal cells beginning with those serving central areas of vision.
Cerebellar ataxia: This condition can encompass a variety of different problems related to coordination and balance.
Cervical Vertebral Instability (CVI): Also referred to as Wobbler Syndrome. CVI is caused by compression of the cervical spinal cord as a result of cervical vertebral malformation-malarticulation or instability. This condition injures the portion of the spinal cord necessary for an animal to stand and move normally.
Chondrodysplasia: Type of dwarfism.
Collie eye anomaly (CEA): Congenital abnormalities of varying degrees found in the posterior part of the eye.
Corneal erosion: Loss of the outer layers of the cornea.
Cushing’s: Excessive secretion of cortisol from the adrenal gland.
Cystinuria: Cystinuria is a genetic defect in the kidney tubules. In dogs, a natural filtering process does not work properly which allows cystine to pass into the urine, where it can form crystals or stones or possibly both.
D
Degenerative myelopathy: Progressive loss of coordination and strength beginning in the hind quarters.
Demodicosis: Generalized demodectic mange, a condition which is caused by the Demodex mite to which certain breeds are more susceptible.
Distichiasis: Abnormal origin of eyelashes along the lid margin, often resulting in irritation to the eye.
E
Ectropion: Eversion of the eyelids, so that they roll out from the eye, leaving a gap between the lid and the eye.
Elbow dysplasia: Elbow joint laxity resulting from improper development, and eventually leading to arthritic changes.
Entropion: Inversion of the eyelids, so that they roll inward, often irritating the eye.
Epilepsy: Brain disorder resulting in periodic seizures.
F
Franconi’s syndrome: Re-absorptive defects resulting in kidney failure.
G
Gastric torsion (gastric dilation-volvulus): This is when the stomach becomes twisted and traps the stomach content and gases. If gastric torsion is left untreated it can be fatal. It is most common in large dog breeds that have a deep chest.
Glaucoma: Increased intraocular pressure, most often due to an abnormality in the drainage of aqueous fluid from the eye.
H
Hemangiosarcoma: Malignant tumor of the lining of blood vessels, often affecting the heart or spleen, and usually fatal.
Hydrocephalus: Increased accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles of the brain.
Hypertrophic osteodystrophy (HOD): Inflammation of the bone growth plates during periods of rapid growth in larger breeds, resulting in lameness.
Hypoglycemia: Abnormally low level of glucose in the blood.
Hypothyroidism: Decreased production of thyroid hormone, often caused by an auto-immune response.
I
Intervertebral disk disease: Abnormality of the cartilaginous disks that normally provide cushioning between the vertebra.
K
Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS): decreased tear production of the eye causing a dry eye and damage to the cornea.
L
Legg-Perthes disease: Destruction of the head of the femur bone due to decrease in blood supply.
Lens luxation: Displacement of the lens of the eye.
M
Megaesophagus: Paralysis and enlargement of the esophagus, resulting in regurgitation of food.
Mitral valve insufficiency (MVI): Degeneration of the mitral valve of the heart, allowing blood to flow backward into the left atrium and resulting in enlargement of the heart.
O
Open fontanel: Incomplete closure of the bones of the skull, resulting in a soft spot on top of the head.
Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD): Degeration of bone underlying the cartilage of joint areas. Most commonly found in larger breeds.
Osteosarcoma: Malignant bone cancer most often found in large and giant breeds.
Otitis externa: Infection of the outer ear, including the ear canal. This is a common problem for dogs with long, hanging ears.
P
Patellar luxation: Abnormally shallow groove in the knee, causing the knee cap to slip in and out of position, causing lameness in the dog. It is most common in small dogs but can be found in all breeds.
Phosphofructokinase deficiency: Deficiency in a red blood cell enzyme, causing a type of anemia.
Portacaval shunt: Failure of embryonic blood vessel within the liver to go away in the postnatal dog, allowing blood to bypass the liver processing, resulting in neurological and other symptoms.
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA): A group of diseases involving gradual deterioration of the retina.
Pulmonic stenosis: Congenital narrowing of the opening in the heart between the right ventricle and pulmonary artery, eventually causing right-sided heart failure.
R
Renal cortical hypoplasia: Failure of both kidneys to function normally.
Retinal dysplasia: Abnormal development of the retina.
S
Stenotic nares: Abnormally small nostrils, sometimes interfering with breathing.
Subvalvular aortoc stenosis (SAS): Abnormally narrow connection between the left ventricle and the aorta, eventually leading to heart failure.
Skin fold dermatitis: Skin infection caused by moisture and bacteria that get trapped within the deep folds of dog skin.
Syringomyelia: Cyst formation in the spinal cord, which destroys the center of the cord and causes pain, stiffness, and weakness.
U
Urolithiasis: Formation of urinary stones.
