Glossary with audio assistance

the movement of a fluid or a dissolved substance across a cell membrane, for example the soluble products of digestion pass through the mucus membrane of the small intestine into the blood stream

maintenance of the normal pH within the body systems

excess growth of bones after the epiphyses have closed, caused by excess secretion of growth hormone

a contractile protein found in muscle fibres

a disease that has a rapid onset, short duration and pronounced clinical signs

feeding performed with freedom. Sometimes called free-choice or Ad lib

disease caused by insufficient adrenocortical hormones; hypoadrenocorticism

a substance purposely put into food to give a desirable characteristic (e.g. color, flavor, texture, resistance to spoilage etc)

requiring oxygen for life and growth

the enzymatic release of energy from the oxidation of organic compounds in living cells in a process requiring oxygen

carry nerve impulses towards the central nervous system

a terminal breathing pattern where the animal appears to be gasping for breath

something which increases a response

one of two or more different forms of a gene. Different alleles of a gene occupy the same locus on a pair of homologous chromosomes.

these are alternative forms of a gene, showing different options for the same gene e.g. red, black, white coat coloring. Each has a specific place or ‘locus’ on the chromosome.

A partial or complete loss of hair in areas where it is normally present

a reaction in which chemical substances are built up and energy is used

a deficiency in the number of circulating red blood cells or haemoglobin concentration in the blood

not requiring oxygen

the partial oxidation of organic compounds in the cell to release energy, in a process which does not require oxygen

an artificial or naturally occurring connection between two structures, which are normally separate, for example between blood vessels or loops of intestine

a group of male sex hormones e.g., testosterone

a negatively charged particle

Pupils that are not symmetrical in size. i.e. one pupil may be constricted and the other dilated.

a positively charged electrode to which electrons are attracted

loss of appetite for food

something which prevents or decreases a response

a disease which can be spread from humans to animals

a globular protein or immunoglobulin, made by plasma cells and secreted into the plasma in response to a specific antigen, in order to destroy and eliminate the antigen from the body

a substance that is foreign to the body and stimulates an immune response

movement of food material up the digestive tract. This is in the opposite direction to peristalsis.

a chemical use to control, prevent or destroy pathogens present on living tissues/skin

lack of urine output

decreased level of anxiety

absence of breathing

an abnormal heart rhythm

any mark on a radiograph which decreases the quality

blood vessel carrying blood away from the heart

the concentration of a nutrient in the food as it is fed to the animal, which includes the water content of the food

excess fluid in the abdominal cavity

freedom from infectious material

the complete absence of bacteria, viruses or fungi that could cause disease. Asepsis is the ideal situation for the performance of surgical or other invasive procedures, and is achieved by sterilisation techniques

reproduction which involves only one parent and produces offspring which are identical to the parent

the residue left after combustion of the food - generally the mineral content

no electrical activity in the heart – a ‘flat line’ on the ECG

adenosine triphosphate, a high energy phosphate molecule used to store and release energy for work within the body

a technique used for listening to the sounds of the body with the use of a stethoscope, for example the heart beat and respiratory sounds within the thoracic cavity

part of the peripheral nervous system that supplies stimulation to the cardiac and smooth muscles and the glands of the body, involved in unconscious control

all the chromosomes within the nucleus of the cell except the sex chromosomes

increased levels of nitrogenous by-products in the bloodstream

the presence of bacteria in the blood

prokaryotic single-celled organism. Ranges in size from 0.3µm-10 µm

an agent that kills bacteria

prevents bacteria from multiplying but does not kill them

type of granular white blood cell

pertaining to the bile duct

yellow green bile pigment which results from the breakdown of red blood cells

the presence of bilirubin in the urine

a semipermeable membrane that keeps circulating blood separate from cerebrospinal fluid and the brain

fluid surrounding the blood cells and transported by the blood-vascular system

a ball of chewed food bound together with saliva that is formed in the mouth by the action of the tongue

having a short, broad skull, e.g. boxers, bulldogs, pugs, Persian cats, lionhead rabbits. These animals tend to have overlong soft palates, excessive soft tissue in their oral cavity and pharynx, smaller tracheal diameters than expected, and narrow nares.

a slower than normal heart rate

a slower than normal respiratory rate

see external respiration

a substance which is able to resist change in the pH of a solution so that the pH remains constant

stone like deposits of mineral salts found in hollow organs or on the teeth. In the urethra they can result in blockage of the passage of urine.

persistent yowling exhibited by the female cat (queen) during the pro-oestrus period of the oestrous cycle

a space containing a cytoplasmic process of an osteocyte in bone tissue, or a space between rows of cells in the liver along which bile flows

time taken for blood capillaries to refill after flow in them has been disrupted in some way

any agent or substance that can cause tumour formation and cancer

pertaining to the heart

meat-eating animal

convalescent carrier: animal which has had a disease and recovered

decaying flesh

a reaction in which chemical substances are broken down and energy is released

a positively charged particle

herbivorous animal whose main microbial fermentation takes place in the large intestine

the part of the nervous system that consists of the brain and the spinal cord

an organelle composed of microtubules, that is involved in the formation of the spindle during mitosis

the part of the chromosome to which spindle fibres attach during cell division

clear fluid produced in the choroid plexus of the ventricles of the brain. It is found in the brain and spinal cord. 

bacterial agent that causes Chlamydia infection in cats

organelles, found in plant cells, which contain chlorophyll (green pigment). They are the sites of photosynthesis.

two identical chromosomes, joined together by a centromere, formed during the interphase of the cell cycle

material within the nucleus of a eukaryotic cell which consists of DNA and histone proteins

thread-like structure made up of DNA and histones, containing a series of genes, found in the nucleus of a eukaryotic cell

A drug that increases the rate of cardiac contraction

fatty liquid absorbed from the small intestine by lymphatic capillaries known as lacteals

lymphatic fluid in the pleural cavity

partially digested food with an acid pH expelled from the stomach

obtaining a sample of cerebrospinal fluid from the cisterna magnum

time taken for blood to clot naturally

both the alleles of a gene are expressed equally in the phenotype even though they may be different

the act of mating

a fluid where solid molecules are suspended in a liquid (but invisible to the naked eye). In fluid therapy, colloid fluids contain large molecules that remain in the circulation and therefore are plasma volume expanders.

the formation of compact population groups of the same type of microorganism

living on or within another organism, and deriving benefit without harming or benefiting the host individual; an organism that causes neither harm nor benefit to the host

the change in the concentration of a substance from one area to another

embryo or fetus plus the surrounding membranes and placenta

a nutrient that is normally not essential but becomes so, due to certain physiological or pathological conditions resulting in relative deficiency

infrequent or difficulty passing of faeces

the transmission of disease from one individual to another

the soiling or making inferior by contact or mixture

the difference in radiographic density between adjacent areas on a radiograph

a drug whose use and possession  is controlled by legislation

eating faeces

percussion of the chest using cupped hands to aid removal of secretions

herbivorous animal whose main microbial fermentation takes place in a modified stomach

the skull containing the brain

a fluid containing small molecules which move quickly from the circulation

to build up

disease caused by excess adrenocortical hormones; hyperadrenocorticism

inflammation of the bladder

the division of the cytoplasm of a cell following division of the nucleus

a jelly-like material that surrounds the nucleus of a cell and contains most of the cell's organelles

the air within the respiratory tract that never reaches the alveoli within the lungs and so does not undergo gaseous exchange

the breakdown of excess amino acids in the liver, whereby the amine group is removed and converted to ammonia and eventually urea before excretion

act of passing feces from the rectum

the quality of the radiograph which is affected by density, contrast and sharpness

the act of swallowing

the degree of blackening of the radiograph

the process of losing moisture or “drying out” when exposed to air

production of faeces that contain an excess amount of water

a space between teeth. There is a natural space in the jaw of rodents and herbivores where canine teeth would be found in other species.

relaxation stage of the cardiac cycle. The term applies to both atrial and ventricular relaxation.

the net movement, as a result of random motion of its particles, of a substance from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration

the process by which food materials are broken down into small soluble chemical units

Dilated pupils (mydriasis) are when the black center of your eyes are larger than normal. The condition may be caused by dilating eye drops from an eye exam, the side effects from a drug/medication or traumatic injury.

cells with the full number of chromosomes, each in pairs. These include most cells within the animal’s body.

the number of chromosomes (2n) found in the nucleus of all cells except gametes which are haploid cells

a chemical used to control, prevent and destroy pathogens present on inanimate objects - although it is not usually active against bacterial spores. The process does not necessarily kill all micro-organisms, but reduces then to a level acceptable for a defined purpose, for example a level which is considered not harmful to health. (Note, the difference between “disinfectants” and “antiseptics” which are applied to living tissues.)

the removal or inactivation of pathogenic micro-organisms but not necessarily of bacterial spores

to loose inhibitions and become exited

increased amount of urine produced

drugs used to increase the production of urine by the kidneys and so reduce water retention in the body

deoxyribonucleic acid, the genetic material found inside the nucleus of the cell

enzyme that controls coiling and uncoiling of DNA

enzyme that catalyses the synthesis of new DNA molecules

a gene whose characteristics are always present in the phenotype, in homozygous and heterozygous individuals. It is represented with a capital letter, e.g. B.

classification of drugs within the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001

food residue after being heated to remove all the water

smaller than normal size

abnormal shedding of the skin of reptiles

difficulty swallowing

difficulty breathing

difficult parturition; difficulty giving birth

difficulty in passing urine

a parasite that lives on the outside of the host

carry nerve impulses away from the central nervous system

a liquid that contains ions (salts) such as sodium and potassium

a clot, air bubble or debris (embolus) which is carried in the blood stream from one point in the circulation to lodge at another point

stage of development in the zygote in which the external and internal structures are developing

vomiting

Something that induces vomiting

substances such as liquid paraffin that will aid expulsion from the digestive tract

process where fat particles are broken down into smaller globules suspended in a liquid

a liquid in which droplets of other liquids are suspended, but the liquids do not mix

positioned in the bronchus

the innermost layer of the heart

ductless gland whose secretions (hormones) reach their target organ via the bloodstream

the movement of a substance, in bulk, into a cell by the formation of vesicles from the plasma membrane

regulation of body temperature by internal heat production

positioned in the trachea

the ability to do work; all the body's activities require energy which is provided by the consumption of food containing chemical energy

a disease peculiar to or that occurs regularly in certain localities or populations

a protein which is able to act as a catalyst within a living organism

reduced numbers of circulating eosinophils in the blood

type of granular white blood cell

increased number of circulating eosinophils in the blood. May be seen in cases of allergy or parasite infestation.

a gene that suppresses the activity of other genes at other loci

tissue composed of cells that lines the internal and external surfaces of the body; plural is epithelia

a belch; oral ejection of gas or air from the stomach

Process by which teeth break through the gum to appear in the jaw

reddening of the skin

immature red blood cells

red blood corpuscles or cells

the formation of red blood cells

hormone produced by the kidney which stimulates the bone marrow to produce new red blood cells

a cell with cytoplasm containing a membrane-bound nucleus in addition to other organelles

the process by which waste materials are removed from the body

gland whose secretions reach their target organ by means of a duct

the movement of a substance, in bulk, out of a cell by fusion of vesicles containing the substance with the plasma membrane

regulation of body temperature by the external environment rather than by internal metabolism

the process by which gas is expelled from the lungs - breathing out

tidal volume + expiratory reserve volume

the extra volume of air forced out of the lungs, above that of normal tidal volume after a forced expiration

the exchange of gases between the atmospheric air and the blood. Also called breathing.

sensory cells that receive information from the environment outside the body

fluid found outside the cells

fluid with a high protein and cell content that has seeped out of the blood vessels and is found in tissues, usually as a result of inflammation

the diffusion of a substance through protein channels in a cell membrane

control mechanism by which the output of a system is regulated by the product or response that system produces

condition of cats characterized by dysuria, haematuria, pollakiuria and/or urethral obstruction

the anaerobic conversion of organic compounds (especially carbohydrates) to simpler compounds such as volatile fatty acids (SCFAs). Occurring in the caecum and colon, it is an essential part of the digestive process.

stage of development in the zygote in which all the organs are fully developed

the portion of the food that cannot be broken down by the intestinal enzymes of mammals

derived from fibrinogen, an insoluble protein which forms a mesh across areas of damaged capillaries that traps cells and platelets to form a clot

one of the  plasma proteins; involved in the blood clotting mechanism

the distance between the focal spot in the tube head and the X-ray film on the table. Usually 75-100 cm.

the offspring produced from a parental cross, denoted as F1 in genetic notation

a chemical used in radiographic processing, which dissolves unexposed silver bromide crystals and causes the film's emulsion to harden

long cell appendages used for locomotion in some micro-organisms. Singular - flagellum.

imaging technique that uses X-rays to view real-time images

an inanimate object that has been contaminated and can act as a source of infection

the volume of air left in the lungs after normal expiration

collection of nerve cell bodies in the peripheral nervous system

the movement of gases between an organism and its environment; often takes place across a specialized surface, for example the alveoli of the lungs

Inflammation of the stomach

the genetic make-up of an animal

Elderly; the term is often used when an animal reaches or exceeds 75% of its expected lifespan

the period of development of the young from fertilization to birth

larger than normal size

inflammation of the gingiva or gums

type of cell found in nervous tissue which provides metabolic and structural support for neurons

the presence of glucose in the urine

the protein found in wheat and other cereal grains

breakdown of glycogen stored in the liver to release glucose

proteins that bind to one or more chains of sugars

a stack of membrane-bound, flattened sacs responsible for the modification and export of proteins from the cell

male (testis) or female (ovary) organ responsible for producing the gametes

any of the hormones that stimulate the gonads

classification of bacteria; Gram negative bacteria do not retain the crystal violet stain in a Gram stain

classification of bacteria; Gram positive bacteria retain the crystal violet stain in a Gram stain

fine lines which are apparent on a radiograph when a stationary grid is used

an indicator of the grid's efficiency at absorbing scattered radiation, it is the height of the lead strips in relation to the distance between them

scientific name for the sensation of taste

a test to measure the red blood cells as a percentage of the total volume of blood. Haematocrit is the calculated number, using an analyser, whereas packed cell volume (PCV) is derived from manual measurement.

formation of blood and blood cells

presence of blood in the urine

presence of haemoglobin in the urine

loss of blood

blood in the pleural cavity

part of the hair that is situated at the end of the follicle and produces the cells of the hair

bad breath

cell with half the number of chromosomes, and no pairs. These include the gametes (i.e. sperm and ova).

a single set of chromosomes (n) found in the nuclei of gametes, this is half the number of chromosomes found in the nuclei of all other eukaryotic cells

channel in the center of a Haversian system containing nerves, blood vessels and lymph vessels

a unit of bone structure in which the bone cells are arranged in concentric circles

pertaining to the liver

plant-eating animal

reflex pathway between pulmonary stretch receptors and the brain that prevents overinflation of the lungs

having two different alleles of a gene

the study of normal healthy tissues using a microscope

proteins that bind to DNA in eukaryotic cells

the maintenance of a constant internal environment

having two identical alleles of a gene

secretion produced by an endocrine gland and carried to its target organ by means of the blood

disease caused by excess adrenocortical hormones; also known as Cushing's disease

increased blood calcium level

increased carbon dioxide levels - end tidal and in the blood

increased blood glucose level

increased blood potassium level

increase in the depth of breathing

excessive or exaggerated reflex action

higher than normal blood pressure

higher than normal body temperature

disease caused by excess thyroid hormone in the blood

a fluid with a higher osmotic pressure than that with which it is compared (usually plasma)

has a higher concentration of solutes than blood plasma and causes water to be drawn out of the cells into the circulation

excessive rate and depth of ventilation

abnormal increase in blood volume

disease caused by insufficient adrenocortical hormones; also known as Addison's disease

decreased carbon dioxide levels - end tidal and in the blood

decreased blood glucose level

decreased plasma protein level in the blood

weaker than normal reflex action

lower than normal blood pressure

lower than normal body temperature

disease caused by a lack of thyroid hormone in the blood

a fluid with a lower osmotic pressure than that with which it is compared (usually plasma)

has a lower concentration of solutes than blood plasma and causes water to enter the cells

inadequate ventilation

abnormal decrease in blood volume

decreased level of oxygen in the blood

decreased level of oxygen in the body tissues

ability to resist specific types of disease

breeding from two animals that are closely related, e.g. brother and sister

loss of health and increasing weakness brought about by inbreeding over successive generations

the invasion and multiplication of micro-organisms in body tissues

the body's reaction to injury and infection characterized by pain, swelling and heat

the taking in of food

a raw or processed foodstuff used in manufacturing food

a substance that is not derived from a living organism and does not contain hydrocarbon groups

drug that increases the force of cardiac contraction

the act of taking air into the body - breathing in

tidal volume + inspiratory reserve volume

the extra volume of air taken into the lungs, above that of the normal tidal volume after a forced inspiration

structures within a radiographic cassette which fluoresce when struck by X-rays

a neuron that lies between a sensory and a motor neuron but which in itself has neither sensory nor motor functions

sensory cells that detect stimuli from within the body, for example, information pertaining to blood pressure

result of crossing two animals from different species

fluid found between the cells but not within the vascular system

fluid found inside the cells

into a muscle

injection where drugs are administered into the cerebrospinal fluid

into a vein

telescoping of part of the intestine into itself causing an obstruction

the intensity of the radiation beam is inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the source i.e. X-rays diverge increasingly, the further they travel from the tube head, and their intensity falls

a charged particle

a fluid with the same osmotic pressure as that with which it is compared (usually plasma)

has the same concentration of solutes as blood plasma; water neither enters nor leaves the cells and remains in equilibrium 

part of the small intestine between the duodenum and the ileum

an agent that breaks down keratin of the stratum corneum

presence of ketones in the urine

the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of 1 g of water by 1 degree Celsius