Glossary of Veterinary Abbreviations A to Z - Cat-World (2024)

Table of Contents
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 References

Julia Wilson, 'Cat World' Founder

A

āAnte (before)
A-Not eating
AAAffected area
AADAntibiotic-associated diarrhea
AAFCOAmerican Association of Feed Control Officials
AAFPAmerican Association of Feline Practitioners
AAHAAmerican Animal Hospital Association
AAHCAustralian Animal Health Council
AAVCAmerican Association of Veterinary Clinicians
Ab/ABAntibody
Feline blood group
Antibiotic
abc or abxAntibiotics
ABCArterial blood gas
abd/ABD/abdo.Abdomen
ABGArterial blood gas
ABVPAmerican Board of Veterinary Practitioners
ac, ACAnte cibum (before a meal)
Activated charcoal
ACEAngiotensin-converting enzyme
Acepromazine
ACECAnimal Care and Ethics Committee
ACLAnterior cruciate ligament
ACSAltered conscious state
ACTActivated clotting time (blood test)
ACTHAdrenocorticotropic hormone
ACVAcyclovir (antiviral drug)
ad., ADAuris dexter (right ear)
ADAcute distress
Atopic dermatitis
ADHAntidiuretic hormone
Adrenal-dependent hyperadrenocorticism
ad-libAs much as desired
ADRAdverse drug reaction
AFAtrial fibrillation
AFRAdverse food reaction
A:GAlbumin globulin ratio
ag, AgAntigen
AGNAcute glomerulonephritis
a.h.Alternis horis (every other hour)
AHTAnimal health technician
AIArtificial insemination
AITAllergen immunotherapy
AIWAll is well
AKIAcute kidney injury
AlaAlanine
ALBAlbumin
ALDApproximate lethal dose
ALPAlkaline phosphatase
ALSAdvanced life support
ALTAlanine transaminase
altern. d.Alterno die (every other day)
AMAAgainst medical advice
AMLAcute myeloid leukemia
AMPAmpule
AMSAmylase
ANAAntinuclear antibody
antAnterior
AORAt the owner’s request
APAnterior-posterior
APAPAcetaminophen
APTTActivated partial thromboplastin time
aqWater (aqua)
ARFAcute renal failure
as, ASAuris sinister (left ear)
ASAVAAustralian Small Animal Veterinary Association
ASPCAAmerican Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
ASTAspartate aminotransferase
ATEAortic thromboembolism
ATP
Atp
Adenosine triphosphate
Atypical
ATTat this time
au. AUAuris utraque (both ears)
aurist.Auristillae (ear drops)
AUSCAnte (before)
AuscultationAverage
AVArteriovenous
Atrioventricular
AVAAustralian Veterinary Association
AVSSAfebrile, vital signs stable
A&WAlive and well
AxAxillary
AXRAbdominal x-ray
AZTAzidothymidine

B

B&ABright and alert
B4Before
BaBarium
BABile acids
BAERBrain stem auditory evoked responses
BALDimercaprol
Bronchoalveolar lavage
BARBright, alert and responsive
BARHBright, alert, responsive and hydrated
Bb/BBBordetella bronchiseptica (vaccine)
BBBBlood-brain barrier
BBTBasal body temperature
BCBlood culture
Bone condition
BCCBasal cell carcinoma
BCPBlood chemistry profile
BCSBody condition score
BEGBoutique, exotic ingredients, and grain-free (diets)
BERBasal energy requirement
BGBlood glucose
BGCBlood glucose curve
BGLBlood glucose level
BID, bid, b.i.d.Bis in die (twice a day)
BIOPBeen in owner’s possession
BIWTwice a week
b/lBilateral (both sides)
BLDBlood
bl. cultBlood culture
BLSBasic life support
BMBone marrow
Bowel movement
BMbxBone marrow biopsy
BOHBucket on head
BOTBase of tail
bp, BPBlood pressure
bpmBeats or breaths per minute
BSBreath sound
Bowel sound
Blood sugar
Body secretions
BSLBlood sugar level
BTBleeding time
BUNBlood urea nitrogen
BVBacterial vaginosis
BVMSBachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery
BVMBachelor of Veterinary Medicine
BW/BWTBodyweight
Blood work
BxBiopsy
BZD’sBenzodiazepines

C

CCentigrade, cervical vertebrae (C1, C2 etc)
C & SCulture and sensitivity
Ca, CACalcium
Cancer
Carcinoma
CaOxCalcium oxalate
capCapsule
CAT/CTComputed axial tomography / Computed tomography
Cath.Catheter
CAUTICatheter-associated urinary tract infection
CBACat bite abscess
CBCComplete blood count
Crushed by car
ccCubic centimetre
CCBCalcium channel blocker
CCFCongestive cardiac failure
Complicated crown fracture
CDCCenters for Disease Control and Prevention
CCLCranial cruciate ligament
CDIClostridium dLinearifficile infection
CDVCidofovir (antiviral drug)
CEClinical exam
cfIn comparison to
CFACat fight abscess
CFCCat fight cellulitis
CFTCapillary filling time
CFWCat fight wound
CGHCan go home
CHDChronic heart disease
Congenital heart defect
Congenital hip dysplasia
Coronary heart disease
CHEM-7A basic metabolic panel (blood urea nitrogen, carbon dioxide, creatinine, glucose, serum chloride, serum potassium, serum sodium)
CHFCongestive heart failure
CHOCarbohydrate
CHOL, cholCholesterol
CHOPChemotherapy protocol: Cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone
CIContraindicated
Confidence interval
ClChloride
CLLCervical line lesion (on a cat’s tooth)
CK / CPKCreatine kinase
CKDChronic kidney disease
CLCleft lip
CLPCleft lip and palate
CMCardiomyopathy
CMICell-mediated immunity
CMPSComposite measure pain score
CNCranial nerves
CNSCentral nervous system
COCarbon monoxide
CO2Carbon dioxide
COLEyelid coloboma
COPDChronic obstructive pulmonary disease
COXCyclooxygenase
CPCleft palate
CPRCardiopulmonary resuscitation
CRIConstant rate of infusion
CreatCreatinine
critHematocrit
CRTCapillary refill time
cs
C/S
Corticosteroids
Clinical signs
CSDCat scratch disease
CSFCerebrospinal fluid
CVCardiovascular
CVDCardiovascular disease
CVICervical vertebral instability
CVPChemotherapy protocol: Cyclophosphamide, vincristine and prednisolone
CVTCertified veterinary technician
CxClinical signs
CXRChest X-ray
CystoCystocentesis

D

DDiarrhea
DAWDispense as written
DBWDog bite wound
d/cDiscontinue
DCMDilated cardiomyopathy
DDDDegenerative disc disease
DDLDull, depressed, lethargic
DDxDifferential diagnosis
DERDermoid
DhWBDiarrhea with blood
DIDiabetes insipidus
DICDisseminated intravascular coagulation
dilDilute
DJDDegenerative joint disease
DKADiabetic ketoacidosis
DLHDomestic longhair
DLTDose-limiting toxicity
DMDiabetes mellitus
DNADeoxyribonucleic acid
DNSDextrose normal saline (IV solution)
DOADead on arrival
D/ODrain out
DOIDuration of immunity
D/RDrain removal
drp(s)Drops
DSDental score
DSHDomestic shorthair
DUDEDefecating, urinating, drinking and eating
DxDiagnosis

E

E&BEuthanasia and burial
E&CEuthanasia and cremation
EAGSEmpty anal glands
EBMEvidence-based medicine
ECFExtracellular fluid
ECG/EKGElectrocardiogram
EDEvery day
EDDUEating, drinking, defecating and urinating
EDUDEating, drinking, urinating and defecating
EENTEyes, ears, nose and throat
EFAEssential fatty acid
ELFEnzyme-labelled fluorescence
ELISAEnzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
EMElectron microscopy
EODEvery other day
EOFBExtraocular foreign body
EosEosinophil
EPGEggs per gram of feces
EPITEpicutaneous immunotherapy
EPOErythropoietin
EREmergency room
ERGElectroretinogram
ESRDEnd-stage renal disease
EtOHAlcohol
ETWTracheal wash
EUGAExamine under general anesthetic
expExpired

F

FFahrenheit
Filial (F1, F2 etc)
F3Feline viral rhinotracheitis calicivirus and panleukopenia (vaccine)
F4 (WA)Feline vaccination: Enteritis, Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Feline leukemia virus
F4 (QLD)Feline vaccination: Enteritis, Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Chlamydiosis
F5Feline vaccination: Enteritis, Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Chlamydiosis, Feline leukemia virus
FAFluorescent antibody
Fatty acids
FADFlea allergy dermatitis
FASTFocused assessment sonography for trauma
FATEFeline aortic thromboembolism
FBForeign body
FBCFull blood count
FBSFasting blood sugar
FCKFlat chested syndrome
FCRVPFeline viral rhinotracheitis calicivirus and panleukopenia (vaccine)
FCSFeline corneal sequestrum
FCVFeline calicivirus
FDAFood and drug administration
FeIron
FeBbFeline Bordetella bronchiseptica
FECVFeline enteric coronavirus
FelFeline
FeLFeline leishmaniasis
FELLCFeline lymphosarcoma-leukemia complex
FeLVFeline leukemia virus
FFPFresh frozen plasma
FHAThe femoral head and neck osteotomy
FHDFeline heartworm disease
FHVFeline herpesvirus
FIAFeline infectious anemia
FICFeline idiopathic cystitis
FIPFeline infectious peritonitis
FIVFeline immunodeficiency virus
FlFluid
Intact female
FLUTDFeline lower urinary tract disease
FNAFine needle aspirate
FOCMAFeline oncornavirus-associated cell membrane antigen
FORLFeline odontoclastic resorptive lesion
FOSFull of stool
FPPFeline plasma cell pododermatitis
FRVFeline rhinotracheitis virus
Feline rotavirus
F/S
FS
Spayed female
Fecal smear
FSVFeline sarcoma virus
FTTFailure to thrive
F/UFollow up
FUOFever of unknown origin
FUSFeline urologic syndrome
FVRCPFeline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, panleukopenia (F3 vaccine)
FxFracture

G

GAGeneral anesthesia
GABAGamma-aminobutyric acid
GASGastroschisis
GBGallbladder
GCGeneral condition
GCVGanciclovir (antiviral drug)
GDUGastroduodenal ulceration
GERDGastroesophageal reflux disease
GFRGlomerular filtration rate
GGTγ-Glutamyltransferase
GHGrowth hormone
GIGastrointestinal
GluGlucose
gmGram
GNGlomerulonephritis
GSWGunshot wound
GtDrop
GttDrops
GUGastric ulcer
GvHGraft vs host

H

HHistamine
Hemagglutinin
H2OWater
H2O2Hydrogen peroxide
H & MHematemesis and melena
HbHemoglobin
HBCHit by car
HBPHigh blood pressure
HCO3Bicarbonate
HCMHypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Hct/HCTHematocrit
HDHip dysplasia
Craniofacial (head) defect
HDDSTHigh dose dexamethasone suppression test
HDLHigh-density lipoprotein
HDMHouse dust mite
HFHeart failure
Hg/HgbHemoglobin
HGEHemorrhagic gastroenteritis
HHHiatus hernia
HLHepatic lipase
H/LHeart and lungs
HLDHyperlipidemia
H/OHistory of
HRHeart rate
Hazard ratio
HSAHemangiosarcoma
HSLHypertonic saline
HT/HTNHypertension
HVSHyperviscosity syndrome
HWHeartworm
HWPHeartworm prevention
HWtestHeartworm test
HyperAHyperadrenocorticism
HyperT4Hyperthyroidism
HxHistory of

I

IIodine
IBDInflammatory bowel disease
ICImmunocompromised
Intensive care
Interstitial cystitis
Immune complex
Intracardiac
ICAIridocorneal angle
ICFIntracellular fluid
I & DIncision and drainage
IDIntradermal
IDAIron deficiency anemia
IDDMInsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
IDSTIntradermal skin testing
IDTIntradermal testing
IDUIdoxuridine (antiviral drug)
IFAIndirect fluorescent antibody
IFNInterferon (antiviral drug)
IgImmunoglobulin
IgAImmunoglobulin A
IgDImmunoglobulin D
IgEImmunoglobulin E
IgGImmunoglobulin G
IGRInsect growth regulators
IHAIndirect hemagglutination
ILInterleukin
ILITIntralymphatic immunotherapy
IMIntramuscular
IMIIntramuscular injection
INIntranasal
INHInhaled
InjInjection
IOFBIntraocular foreign body
IOLIntraocular lens
IOPIntraocular pressure
IPIntraperitoneal
IPPBIntermittent positive pressure breathing
IQRInterquartile range
ITPImmune-mediated thrombocytopenia
IUInternational unit
IVIntravenously
IVD/IVDDIntervertebral disc/disease
IVPIntravenous pyelogram, intravenous pyelography
IxInvestigation

J

JPPJoint protection plan
J tubeJejunostomy tube (feeding tube)

K

KPotassium
KAKetoacidosis
KBHKicked by horse
KBrPotassium bromide
KcalKilocalories
KCSKeratoconjunctivitis sicca
KgKilogram
KOHPotassium hydroxide
KTZKetoconazole
KUBKidneys, ureters, and bladder (x-ray)

L

LLeukocytes
Lumbar vertebrae
LALeft atrium
Lymphadenopathy
Local anesthetic
LacLaceration
Lactate
LapLaparotomy
LatLateral
lbPound (weight)
LBOLarge bowel obstruction
LBPLow back pain
LDLethal dose
LDDSTLow dose dexamethasone suppression test
LDLLow-density lipoprotein
LELupus erythematosus
LFBLinear foreign body
LFTLiver function test
LigLigament
LIULens induced uveitis
LHLuteinising hormone
LNLymph node
LPELymphocytic
plasmacytic enteritis
LRLactated Ringers
LSLeft side
LSALymphosarcoma
LUTLower urinary tract
LVLeft ventricle
LVTLicensed veterinary technician
LytesElectrolytes

M

MACMinimal antibiotic concentration
MACVsMember of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists
MAEMoves all extremities
MC&SMicroscopy (gram stain), culture and sensitivity
MCAMotor car accident
MCHMean corpuscular hemoglobin
MCTMast cell tumour
MCVMean corpuscular volume
Meds.Medications
mgMilligram
mlMillilitre
MMMucous membranes
Multiple myeloma
M/N, M(n)Neutered male
MOPPChemotherapy protocol: mechlorethamine, vincristine, procarbazine and prednisone
MPLMedial patella luxation
MPVMean platelet volume
MRMitral regurgitation
MRIMagnetic resonance imaging
MSMusculoskeletal
mtMetatarsal bone
MTDMaximum tolerated dose
MxMonitor
Multiple times

N

NaSodium
NaCISodium chloride (normal saline)
NADNo abnormality detected
Not actually done
NAFNo abnormal findings
NDRNot doing right
n/eNot eating
NG TubeNasal gastric tube
NINeonatal isoerythrolysis
NKANo known allergies
NMNeutered male
NPONothing by mouth
NRNo refill
nRBCNucleated red blood cells
NSNormal saline
NSAIDsNon-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
NSFNo significant findings
NSRNormal sinus rhythm
NSUNo significant change from the last exam
NTENot to exceed
NTINon-thyroidal illness
N/VNausea and vomiting
NVLNo visible lesions
NWBNon-weight-bearing

O

OOwner
O2Oxygen
OAOsteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease)
OCDObsessive-compulsive disorder
Osteodystrophy
OCNEOff colour not eating
ODOculus dextrous (right eye)
Overdose
OEOtitis externa
OHEOvariohysterectomy
OIOtitis interna
OID, oidOnce a day (medicine)
OITOral immunotherapy
oint.Ointment
OMOtitis media
ONFOronasal fistula
ONHOptic nerve head
OPOrganophosphate
OPPOrganophosphate poisoning
OROperating room
Owner reports
Odds ratio
OSOculus sinister (left eye)
OTCOver the counter
OUOculus uterque (both eyes)
OVHOvariohysterectomy (spay)
oxytetOxytetracycline (antibiotic)
OzOunce

P

PPhosphorous
PABsPre-anesthetic bloods
PAFPlatelet-activating factor
PALPPalpitate
path.Pathology
PcPost cebum (after meals)
PCFOPhone call from owner
PCRPolymerase chain reaction
PCVPacked cell volume
Primary care veterinarian
PDAPatent ductus arteriosus
PDHPituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism
PDxProvisional diagnosis
PEPhysical examination
Pectus excavatum
PEIPancreatic exocrine insufficiency
PFPlatelet factor
PKDPolycystic kidney disease
Pl EffPleural effusion
PLNPeripheral lymph nodes
PLRPupillary light reflex
PltPlatelet
POPer os (by mouth)
PPNPartial parenteral nutrition
PRAProgressive retinal atrophy
PRAA
P
ersistent right aortic arch
PRBCPacked red blood cells
PRVPseudorabies virus
ptPatient
PT
Prothrombin time
PTHParathyroid hormone
PTSPut to sleep
PU/PDPolyuria/polydipsia
PxPhysical examination
Prognosis

Q

QARQuiet, alert, responsive
qd, QDQuaque die (once a day)
QID, qidQuater in die (four times a day or every 6 hours)
qlQuantum libet (as much as desired)
QODQuaque altera die (every other day)
QOLQuality of life
qvQuantum vis (as much as you please)

R

radsRadiographs
RASTRadioallergosorbent test
RBCRed blood cell count
rDVMReferring veterinarian
RDWRed cell distribution width
RNARibonucleic acid
ROMRange of motion
RPERetinal pigment epithelium
RRRespiratory rate
Relative risk
RSATRapid slide agglutination test
RVRabies vaccine
RxPrescription

S

SAPSerum alkaline phosphatase
SBASerum bile acids
sc, SCSubcutaneous
SCITSubcutaneous immunotherapy
SDStandard deviation
SFSpayed female
SGSpecific gravity
SIDSemel in die (once a day)
SLESystemic lupus erythematosus
SLITSublingual immunotherapy
SMZSulfamethazine
SPEPSerum protein electrophoresis
sp, sppSpecies (singular) / species (plural)
sq, SQSubcutaneous
S/RSuture removal
s/sSigns and symptoms
SSISurgical site infection
SSRISelective serotonin reuptake inhibitor
StatImmediately
SxSymptoms
Surgery
SYNSyndactyly

T

T3Triiodothyronine
T4Thyroxine
TBILTotal bilirubin
TCCTransitional cell carcinoma
TCSTotal combined score
TECATotal ear canal ablation
TFUTrifluridine
TID, t.i.d.Ter in die (three times a day)
TLCTender loving care
TLITrypsin-like immunoreactivity
TNTCToo numerous to count
ToxoToxoplasmosis
TPTotal protein
TPNTotal parenteral nutrition
TPRTemperature, pulse and respiration rate
TSHThyroid-stimulating hormone
TTThrombin time
TTOTriple tibial osteotomy

U

UAUrinalysis
UHUmbilical hernia
UOUrinary obstruction
UOPUrinary output
UPCUrine protein to creatinine ratio
URIUpper respiratory infection
USGUrine specific gravity
UTIUrinary tract infection

V

V+Vomiting
VCVValacyclovir (antiviral drug)
VD, V/DVentral-dorsal
Vomiting and diarrhea
VDBVidarabine
VMDVeterinary medical doctor
VPTVital pulp therapy
VTVeterinary technician
VxVaccine

W

WBCWhite blood cell count
WBWestern blot (test)
WNLWithin normal limits

X

XIPHEverted xiphoid process
X-RayRadiograph

Y

YYes

Z

ZSleeping

Download or print PDF

  • Glossary of Veterinary Abbreviations A to Z - Cat-World (2)

    Julia Wilson, 'Cat World' Founder

    Julia Wilson is the founder of Cat-World, and has researched and written over 1,000 articles about cats. She is a cat expert with over 20 years of experience writing about a wide range of cat topics, with a special interest in cat health, welfare and preventative care. Julia lives in Sydney with her family, four cats and two dogs.Full author bio

    View all posts

Glossary of Veterinary Abbreviations A to Z - Cat-World (2024)

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Tyson Zemlak

Last Updated:

Views: 6156

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (63 voted)

Reviews: 86% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Tyson Zemlak

Birthday: 1992-03-17

Address: Apt. 662 96191 Quigley Dam, Kubview, MA 42013

Phone: +441678032891

Job: Community-Services Orchestrator

Hobby: Coffee roasting, Calligraphy, Metalworking, Fashion, Vehicle restoration, Shopping, Photography

Introduction: My name is Tyson Zemlak, I am a excited, light, sparkling, super, open, fair, magnificent person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.