Inglés para Medicina Veterinaria: Vocabulario y Frases Esenciales

"rumen"

The first and largest compartment of the forestomach in ruminants, where microbial fermentation of plant material occurs

"Palpation of the left paralumbar fossa revealed a distended rumen consistent with frothy bloat."

"tympanic bulla"

A rounded bony prominence on the skull enclosing the middle ear cavity, commonly affected in ear infections in cats and dogs

"CT imaging of the tympanic bulla confirmed unilateral otitis media with fluid opacity and bony lysis."

"metacarpus"

The group of bones forming the lower forelimb region between the carpus and the phalanges, equivalent to the hand in humans

"Radiographs revealed a stress fracture of the third metacarpus in the racehorse following training."

"cecum"

A blind-ended pouch forming the junction between the small and large intestine, proportionally large in herbivores such as horses and rabbits

"Ultrasonography identified impaction of the cecum as the cause of colic in the horse."

"prepuce"

The fold of skin enclosing the free end of the penis in male animals, subject to prolapse and inflammatory conditions

"The bull was presented with persistent preputial prolapse requiring surgical intervention."

"stifle joint"

The equivalent of the human knee joint in quadrupeds, comprising the femoro-tibial and femoro-patellar articulations

"Orthopaedic examination confirmed cranial cruciate ligament rupture of the right stifle joint."

"reticulum"

The second compartment of the ruminant forestomach, often called the honeycomb due to its mucosal lining, involved in hardware disease

"A metallic foreign body was located in the reticulum on standing radiography of the cow."

"dewclaw"

A vestigial digit located above the main foot in dogs and some other species, prone to injury and overgrowth

"The dewclaw had grown in a curve and penetrated the adjacent skin, causing a septic wound."

"borborygmi"

Audible rumbling sounds produced by the movement of gas and fluid through the intestines, assessed by auscultation of the abdomen

"Auscultation of all four abdominal quadrants revealed absent borborygmi, raising concern for ileus."

"capillary refill time"

The time taken for colour to return to the gum mucosa after brief digital pressure, used to assess peripheral perfusion

"Capillary refill time was prolonged at three seconds, indicating poor peripheral perfusion consistent with shock."

"mucous membrane colour"

The colour of the gingival or conjunctival mucosa, assessed as an indicator of oxygenation and circulatory status

"Mucous membrane colour was pale and tacky, prompting immediate blood pressure measurement and fluid therapy."

"body condition score"

A standardised numeric scale used to assess subcutaneous fat and muscle mass in animals as a measure of nutritional status

"The horse received a body condition score of 2 out of 9, indicating poor nutrition and requiring a feeding plan."

"digital pulse"

The pulsation felt in the digital arteries of the foot, which becomes bounding in conditions such as laminitis

"Bounding digital pulses in all four feet strongly supported a diagnosis of acute laminitis."

"percussion"

A physical examination technique using tapping to assess the resonance of underlying structures, particularly the abdomen and thorax

"Percussion of the left flank elicited a high-pitched ping, consistent with a left-displaced abomasum."

"rectal examination"

Manual palpation of abdominal and pelvic structures via the rectum, essential in large animal medicine for diagnosis of reproductive and gastrointestinal conditions

"Rectal examination in the mare confirmed twin pregnancy with bilateral uterine distension."

"thoracic auscultation"

Listening to the lung and heart sounds using a stethoscope to detect abnormalities such as crackles, wheezes, or murmurs

"Thoracic auscultation revealed bilateral ventral crackles and a grade IV systolic murmur over the left apex."

"ovariohysterectomy"

Surgical removal of the ovaries and uterus in female animals, performed for reproductive control or treatment of pyometra and neoplasia

"The cat was admitted for ovariohysterectomy following ultrasound confirmation of pyometra with cervical discharge."

"rumenotomy"

A surgical incision into the rumen of a ruminant to remove foreign bodies or impacted material

"A rumenotomy was performed to remove a large quantity of plastic material causing chronic indigestion in the cow."

"total intravenous anaesthesia"

An anaesthetic technique maintaining unconsciousness entirely with intravenous drug infusions rather than inhalant agents, commonly used in horses

"Total intravenous anaesthesia with ketamine and guaifenesin maintained a smooth surgical plane throughout the colic surgery."

"epidural analgesia"

Injection of local anaesthetic or opioid drugs into the epidural space to provide regional pain relief, used in cattle obstetrics and small animal orthopaedics

"Epidural analgesia with lidocaine facilitated a relaxed perineum for delivery of the retained foetus in the cow."

"castration"

Surgical removal of the testes in male animals, performed to prevent reproduction, reduce aggression, or treat testicular disease

"Open castration of the two-year-old stallion was performed under field anaesthesia with appropriate analgesia."

"orthopaedic implant"

A metallic or synthetic device such as a plate, pin, or screw placed surgically to stabilise fractures or correct skeletal deformities

"A bone plate and screws were used as an orthopaedic implant to repair the comminuted tibial fracture."

"wound debridement"

The surgical removal of necrotic, contaminated, or foreign tissue from a wound to promote healing

"Thorough wound debridement was performed under sedation before primary closure of the laceration."

"aseptic technique"

A set of practices used during surgical procedures to prevent contamination of the surgical field with pathogenic microorganisms

"Strict aseptic technique including sterile gloving and draping is mandatory for all orthopaedic procedures."

"anthelmintic"

A drug used to treat internal parasitic worm infections, including roundworms, tapeworms, and flukes, in domestic and farm animals

"Faecal egg count reduction testing was used to assess anthelmintic efficacy and identify benzimidazole resistance."

"non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug"

A class of drug providing analgesia and reducing inflammation by inhibiting cyclooxygenase enzymes, widely used in veterinary pain management

"Meloxicam, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, was prescribed at discharge for post-operative pain management."

"bacteriostatic"

Describing an antimicrobial agent that inhibits bacterial growth without directly killing the bacteria, relying on host immunity to clear the infection

"Tetracycline is bacteriostatic and should not be combined with bactericidal antibiotics that require active bacterial replication."

"meat withdrawal period"

The minimum time that must elapse after the last dose of a veterinary medicine before an animal may be slaughtered for human consumption

"The label confirmed a 28-day meat withdrawal period for the antibiotic used in the cattle treatment."

"ectoparasiticide"

A product used to kill or repel external parasites such as fleas, ticks, mites, and lice on the surface of an animal

"A long-acting isoxazoline ectoparasiticide was dispensed to provide three months of tick and flea protection."

"opioid analgesic"

A pain-relieving drug that acts on opioid receptors in the central and peripheral nervous system, used perioperatively in veterinary patients

"Methadone was chosen as the opioid analgesic for pre-medication due to its minimal vomiting effect in cats."

"fluid therapy"

The intravenous or subcutaneous administration of electrolyte solutions to correct dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and circulatory deficits

"Intravenous fluid therapy with lactated Ringer's solution at twice the maintenance rate was initiated on admission."

"compounded medication"

A pharmaceutical preparation custom-made by a pharmacist to meet the specific needs of an individual animal when licensed products are unavailable or unsuitable

"A compounded medication suspension was prepared to allow accurate dosing of the small exotic patient."

"dystocia"

Difficult or obstructed labour requiring veterinary intervention, caused by foetal malpresentation, oversized offspring, or uterine inertia

"The heifer was presented at two hours of second-stage labour with no progress, consistent with foetal dystocia."

"oestrus"

The recurrent period of sexual receptivity and fertility in female animals, commonly called season or heat

"Progesterone assay confirmed the bitch was approaching oestrus with values consistent with the LH surge."

"artificial insemination"

The manual introduction of collected semen into the female reproductive tract to achieve pregnancy without natural mating

"Chilled semen from the champion stallion was used for artificial insemination to improve the breeding programme."

"retained placenta"

Failure to expel the foetal membranes within a normal time after parturition, a common complication in cattle requiring veterinary management

"The cow was examined at 24 hours post-calving for retained placenta and treated with systemic antibiotics."

"colostrum"

The first milk produced by the mammary gland after parturition, rich in maternal antibodies essential for passive immunity in newborns

"The foal was confirmed to have received adequate colostrum intake based on serum IgG levels above 8 g/L."

"embryo transfer"

A biotechnology procedure in which embryos are flushed from a donor female and implanted into synchronised recipient females

"Embryo transfer allowed the elite performance mare to produce multiple offspring in a single season."

"uterine torsion"

A life-threatening rotation of the gravid uterus around its longitudinal axis, requiring emergency surgical correction

"Standing flank laparotomy was performed to correct the 270-degree uterine torsion in the parturient cow."

"neonatal isoerythrolysis"

A condition in newborns in which maternal antibodies absorbed through colostrum destroy the neonate's red blood cells, seen in foals and kittens

"The foal developed severe anaemia on day two of life due to neonatal isoerythrolysis and required a blood transfusion."

"guarded prognosis"

A clinical assessment indicating that the outcome is uncertain and the risk of a poor result is significant, used to communicate cautious expectations

"The surgeon explained that the prognosis was guarded because the peritonitis had been present for over 24 hours."

"quality of life assessment"

An evaluation of an animal's physical comfort, mental state, and ability to engage in normal behaviours to guide decisions about ongoing care or euthanasia

"A quality of life assessment using the HHHHHMM scale was discussed with the owner of the terminal cancer patient."

"euthanasia"

The deliberate, painless ending of an animal's life to relieve intractable suffering, a significant aspect of companion animal veterinary practice

"Euthanasia was recommended when the dog's pain could no longer be adequately managed and appetite was absent."

"informed consent"

The process of ensuring an animal owner fully understands and freely agrees to a proposed procedure, treatment, or diagnostic investigation

"Informed consent was obtained before anaesthesia by explaining the risks of the procedure and the anaesthetic."

"estimate"

A written breakdown of the anticipated cost of a veterinary procedure or treatment course, provided to owners before commencing care

"The receptionist provided a written estimate for the orthopaedic surgery before the owner signed the consent form."

"zoonotic risk"

The potential for a disease to be transmitted between animals and humans, important to communicate when managing infectious or parasitic conditions

"The owner was advised of the zoonotic risk of ringworm and instructed on hygiene measures to protect family members."

"referral"

The transfer of a case to a specialist veterinarian or referral centre with advanced expertise or diagnostic equipment

"The dog was referred to a veterinary ophthalmologist for assessment of the progressive retinal changes."

"home management protocol"

Written or verbal instructions given to an animal owner describing how to continue care, administer medication, and monitor signs at home

"A detailed home management protocol including wound care and medication schedule was sent electronically to the owner."