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Pet Owner Glossary

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

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