Acanthocheilonema reconditum (A. reconditum) (formerly called Dipetalonema reconditum)
scientific name for a harmless parasite occasionally found in dogs. Important because the immature larvae, also called microfilaria, closely resemble microfilaria of the dog heartworm, D. immitis. Unlike the adult D. immitis which lives in the major vessels of the lungs, and possibly in the heart chambers of dogs, A reconditum lives harmlessly in tissues under the skin, and in the body cavity. While heartworm disease is spread by mosquitoes, A. reconditum is spread by fleas, ticks and lice.
acute
sudden; with very little notice
adulticide
a medication which kills adult heartworms
allergic bronchitis
inflammation of the mucous membranes lining the air passages in the lung, caused by substances stimulating an allergic reaction
anemia
a deficiency of red blood cells and hemoglobin, causing pallor, weakness and shortness of breath
angiography (noun: angiogram)
X-ray of blood vessels after injecting a contrasting fluid
angiocardiogram
X-ray of the heart after injecting a contrasting fluid
anorexia
loss of appetite
anthelmintics
products that expel or destroy parasitic intestinal worms
antibodies (singular: antibody)
substances produced by the immune system in response to invading material
antigen
a substance, usually a protein, creating an immune response within the body
arsenical (noun: arsenic)
containing or related to arsenic, a poisonous metallic element
ascites
fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity
asthma
an allergic respiratory disorder, characterized by wheezing and difficulty breathing
atrium (plural: atria)
one of two upper chambers of the heart. Blood is pumped from the atria into the ventricles.
basophil
a type of white blood cell that can increase in numbers for many reasons. High basophil count is sometimes associated with parasitic diseases such as heartworms.
basophilia
the presence of more than the usual number of basophils in the circulating blood
cardiovascular
pertaining to, or affecting the heart and blood vessels
catheterization
the operation of introducing a catheter (flexible, hollow plastic tube inserted into body cavity to allow passage of fluid)
caudal
at or toward the back end
cachexia
weight loss, muscle wasting, loss of appetite and general debility usually associated with a chronic disease
caval syndrome
a syndrome of cardiovascular collapse, caused by large numbers of heartworms in the right heart and vena cava.
CBC (complete blood count)
a laboratory test which measures the number of several types of cells in the circulating blood
cerebral
relating to the brain
chylothorax
presence of a milky white fluid (“chyle”) containing fat and other products of digestion in the chest cavity
compliance
the act of staying on a defined schedule
congestive heart failure
a condition caused by the inability of the heart to maintain adequate blood circulation in the peripheral tissues and the lungs.
corticosteroids
types of steroid hormones produced by the adrenal gland. There are also corticosteroid medicines
crackles
abnormal, sharp, snapping lung sounds that can sometimes be heard by a veterinarian listening to an animal’s breathing with a stethoscope
dysfunction
abnormal function
dyspnea
difficult breathing
Dirofilaria immitis
scientific name for heartworms
echocardiography
use of ultrasonographic waves to evaluate the structures and functioning of the heart
ectopic
found in locations other than where typical or expected within the body
endemic
native or indigenous. Originating in that given geographic area.
eosinophil
a type of white blood cell that can increase in numbers for many reasons. High eosinophil count is sometimes associated with parasitic diseases such as heartworms.
eosinophilia
the presence of more than the usual number of eosinophils in the circulating blood
FDA (Food and Drug Administration)
the United States government group that approves and regulates medicines for humans and animals
filarids
threadlike roundworms
generic
general. Not pertaining to anything specific. When referring to medications, generic usually means a product other than the “name brand” product
heart murmur
a type of abnormal heart sound
hemoptysis
to cough up or spit blood in the sputum (saliva or spit)
hepatomegaly
enlargement of the liver
immune response
a protective reaction of the body’s immune system, to help the body fight off germs such as a parasite, bacteria or virus that causes disease
intramuscular
within a muscle
jaundice
yellow discoloration due to an accumulation of bile pigments, often associated with liver dysfunction
larvae (singular: larva)
immature stages of parasite or insect that changes structurally as it matures
L5 larvae
the last larval stage before the heartworm becomes a reproducing adult
lethargy
a state of drowsiness or lack of energy
longevity
length or duration of life
lumbar
lower back
lung lobes
lungs are divided into 5 sections, each of which is called a lobe
macrocyclic lactones
products or chemical derivatives of soil microorganisms belonging to the genus Streptomyces. Some macrocyclic lactones have potent, broad antiparasitic spectrum at low dose levels.
meso-
in the middle; intermediate
microfilariae (singular: microfilaria, adjective: microfilarial)
plural for first larval, or L1 stage of heartworm parasite development. (pronounced: micro fil ar ee)
microfilaremia
presence of microfilariae in the blood
microfilaricide
medication to kill microfilariae
mimicking
to imitate or copy
mortality
the state or condition of being subject to death
necropsy
examination of animal body tissues after death (similar to an autopsy in humans)
nematodes
a common name for any roundworm of the phylum Nematoda
nucleated erythrocytes
immature red blood cells
occult
denoting a disease or condition that is hidden, i.e. clinically not apparent
organic
characteristic of, pertaining to, or derived from living organism
parasiticide
medication to kill parasites
pathological (noun: pathology)
caused by or involving disease
physiological
consistent with the normal functioning of an organism
pre-patent period
the shortest period between infection by a parasite and detection of microfilariae, eggs or larvae in an animal or person
prognosis
a prediction of the probable course and outcome of a disease. Outlook for recovery.
pulmonary arteries
arteries of the lungs
radiology
science of using X-rays
recombinant
of or resulting from new combinations of genetic material
serology (adjective: serological)
diagnostic tests for the study of antibodies and antigens in blood serum
syncope
fainting. Temporary loss of consciousness.
sputum
a mixture of respiratory secretions (mucus or phlegm) and saliva
tachycardia
rapid heart rate
tachypnea
rapid breathing
thromboembolism
the blocking of a blood vessel by a blood clot or foreign material dislodged from its site of origin
tortuosity
the state of being twisted, crooked or bent
tricuspid valve
a three-flap valve located between the right atrium and ventricle, keeping blood from flowing backward
ultrasound
the application of ultrasonic waves to image internal structures
vascular
pertaining to blood vessels
ventricle
one of two upper chambers of the heart. Blood is pumped from the atria into the ventricles.
vena cava
either of two large veins conveying blood to the right atrium of the heart