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Vets & Vet Care terms
Going to the vet: clinics, costs, insurance and the veterinary profession.
Anal sacs Two scent pouches beside a dog's anus that can become full, infected or blocked, causing scooting and licking. Anesthesia A medically induced, controlled loss of consciousness for surgery, dental cleaning or imaging, with monitoring throughout. Biopsy The removal of a small piece of tissue, or a sample of cells, for examination under a microscope to find out what a lump or abnormal tissue is. Bloat (GDV) A life-threatening emergency in which a dog's stomach swells with gas and may twist, cutting off blood flow and breathing. Blood panel A set of blood tests that counts blood cells and measures organ-related chemicals, used to screen healthy dogs and investigate illness. Body condition score A hands-on rating of how lean or fat a dog is on a 9-point scale, more reliable than weight alone, with 4 or 5 as ideal. Dental disease Plaque, tartar and gum infection that damage a dog's teeth and supporting bone; it is the most common health problem vets find in adult dogs. Ear infection Inflammation of the outer ear canal, often with yeast or bacteria, causing head shaking, scratching, odor and pain. Fecal test A laboratory check of a dog's stool for parasite eggs and organisms such as roundworm, hookworm, whipworm and Giardia. Hydrolyzed protein diet A veterinary diet whose proteins are chopped into pieces too small for the immune system to recognize, used to diagnose and manage food allergy. Kennel cough A contagious airway infection with a dry, honking cough, caused by several viruses and bacteria and common where dogs gather. Neuter Surgery that removes a male dog's testicles, preventing breeding and some health problems and sometimes changing certain behaviors. Non-core vaccines Vaccines given only to dogs whose lifestyle, location or travel puts them at risk, such as Bordetella, Lyme and canine influenza. Prescription diet A food formulated to help manage a medical condition such as kidney disease or food allergy, fed under veterinary supervision. Probiotics Live beneficial microorganisms given as supplements or in food that may help some dogs with digestive upset, though products vary a lot. Pyometra A life-threatening bacterial infection of the uterus in unspayed female dogs, usually in the weeks after a heat cycle, and a surgical emergency. Senior wellness A preventive care plan for aging dogs, with more frequent exams and screening tests to catch age-related disease early. Spay Surgery that removes a female dog's ovaries, and usually the uterus, to prevent pregnancy and heat cycles and eliminate the risk of pyometra. Titer test A blood test that measures antibodies to a disease, sometimes used to check a dog's immunity to distemper or parvovirus instead of re-vaccinating. Ultrasound A real-time imaging test that uses sound waves to show a dog's organs, heart and pregnancy without radiation. Veterinary specialist A veterinarian who completed extra years of training and exams in one field, such as cardiology or oncology, and sees dogs on referral. Wellness exam A routine, nose-to-tail check-up of a healthy dog that updates vaccines, screens for hidden problems and tracks weight over time. X-ray An imaging test that uses a small amount of radiation to show a dog's bones, chest and belly organs. Deductible The amount you pay toward covered vet bills before pet insurance begins to reimburse you. Pet insurance A policy that reimburses a share of veterinary bills for covered accidents and illnesses in return for a monthly premium. Pre-existing condition An illness, injury or sign that a dog had before pet insurance began or during the waiting period, and which a policy usually will not cover. Reimbursement rate The percentage of a covered vet bill that a pet insurer repays after the deductible, often 70, 80 or 90 percent. Waiting period The time after a pet insurance policy starts, often a few days to several months, during which some or all claims are not covered.