Pet health glossary
Vet visits come with a lot of acronyms. This glossary defines the terms most pet parents encounter — diagnoses, drug classes, breed risks, and the legal vocabulary of veterinary telehealth. Every entry has been reviewed by Dr. Tiffany Delacruz, DVM, CEO of RexVet.
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
The professional doctorate degree awarded to licensed veterinarians in the United States. A DVM has completed a four-year veterinary school program after undergraduate education and passed the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE). Every clinical visit at RexVet is conducted by a state-licensed DVM.
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Flat-faced breed
A skull shape characterized by a shortened muzzle. Affected dog breeds include Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, Pugs, Boxers, and Boston Terriers; affected cats include Persians and Himalayans. Brachycephalic breeds are at elevated risk for breathing difficulty (BOAS), heatstroke, and dental crowding.
Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome
A constellation of upper-airway abnormalities in flat-faced breeds — stenotic nostrils, elongated soft palate, everted laryngeal saccules — that together obstruct breathing. Signs include loud breathing, snoring, gagging, and exercise intolerance. Many cases benefit from surgical correction.
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Intervertebral Disc Disease
A degenerative condition where the cushioning discs between vertebrae become unstable or rupture, pressing on the spinal cord. Most common in Dachshunds, Corgis, Beagles, and other long-backed breeds. Severity ranges from mild back pain to paralysis; early veterinary evaluation is critical.
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Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus
A life-threatening condition where the stomach fills with gas and twists on itself, cutting off blood supply. Almost exclusively affects deep-chested large dogs (Great Danes, German Shepherds, Standard Poodles). Signs include unproductive retching, distended abdomen, and restlessness. This is a true emergency — drive to a 24-hour clinic immediately.
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Multi-Drug Resistance gene mutation
A genetic mutation that affects how certain herding breeds metabolize specific drugs — including ivermectin, loperamide, and some chemotherapy agents. Australian Shepherds, Collies, and related breeds may carry the mutation and require alternative dosing or different drugs.
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Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
The most common heart disease in cats — thickening of the heart muscle that reduces the chamber's ability to fill and pump. Often asymptomatic until late stages, when it presents as breathing difficulty, sudden hind-leg paralysis, or collapse. Common in Maine Coons, Ragdolls, and several other breeds.
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Dilated Cardiomyopathy
A heart disease where the chamber walls thin and stretch, weakening the pump. Dobermans are at exceptionally high genetic risk; Great Danes, Boxers, and Irish Wolfhounds also commonly affected. Early signs are subtle — exercise intolerance, occasional cough — but can progress to congestive heart failure.
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Myxomatous Mitral Valve Disease
Age-related degeneration of the mitral heart valve that's the most common heart disease in small-breed dogs. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are extraordinarily over-represented — most are affected by middle age. Often detected first as a heart murmur on routine exam.
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Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug
A class of pain and inflammation medications. Veterinary NSAIDs include carprofen (Rimadyl), meloxicam (Metacam), grapipant (Galliprant), and others. Human NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen) are toxic to dogs and cats — never give over-the-counter pain medication without a vet's specific direction.
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Situational anxiety medication
A serotonin antagonist used in veterinary medicine for situational anxiety — vet visits, fireworks, thunderstorms, travel. Generally well tolerated with a mild sedating effect. Often prescribed in combination with gabapentin for severe noise phobia events.
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Anxiety / pain adjunct
Originally developed as a human anti-seizure medication, now widely used in cats and dogs for situational anxiety and chronic pain (especially neuropathic and osteoarthritis pain). Generally well tolerated; sedation is the most common side effect.
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Veterinary care by video
Veterinary consultations conducted by secure video rather than in person. Within states where state law permits a video visit to establish a valid vet-client-patient relationship, telehealth can produce diagnoses, treatment plans, and prescriptions. RexVet operates licensed telehealth in Florida, New York, and Virginia.
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Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship
The legal foundation for a vet to diagnose, treat, and prescribe. Each state defines exactly what's required to establish a VCPR; some allow a video visit to qualify, others require an in-person exam first. RexVet's telehealth model operates only in states where video VCPR is recognized.
Federally registered non-profit
A U.S. tax classification for charitable organizations whose income is exempt from federal taxes and whose donors can take tax deductions. RexVet (Rex Vets Inc.) is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit. Surplus revenue is reinvested into expanding coverage and subsidizing visits for low-income families.
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RexVet's in-house pharmacy
RexVet's licensed pharmacy that ships prescription medication to pet families in our licensed states. Prescriptions written during a telehealth visit can be filled through RexVetRx or routed to a local pharmacy at your request.
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Parasitic worm in heart and lungs
A potentially fatal parasitic infection transmitted by mosquitoes. Most common in warm, mosquito-prone regions (the U.S. Gulf Coast, Southeast, Mid-Atlantic). Easily prevented with monthly chewables or topicals; treatment after infection is long, expensive, and stressful for the pet. Prevention is the standard of care.
Tick-borne bacterial infection
An infection caused by Anaplasma bacteria, transmitted by black-legged (deer) ticks. Often co-occurs with Lyme disease in the same regions. Signs include fever, joint pain, and lethargy. Diagnosed with the same in-clinic snap test used for Lyme and ehrlichiosis.
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Tick-borne bacterial infection
An infection caused by Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria transmitted by black-legged ticks. In dogs, presents as shifting-leg lameness, fever, lethargy, and (in severe cases) kidney disease. The rash classic in human Lyme is rare in pets. Endemic across the Northeast, Upper Midwest, and Mid-Atlantic.
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Feline Odontoclastic Resorptive Lesions
A common cause of dental pain in cats where the tooth structure progressively breaks down, often below the gumline. Affects roughly 30-40% of adult cats. Treatment usually involves dental extraction. Signs are subtle — drooling, eating on one side, dropping food.
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Feline Immunodeficiency Virus
A retrovirus that suppresses the cat's immune system, somewhat similar to HIV in humans (but not transmissible between species). Most often spread by deep bite wounds between fighting cats. FIV-positive cats can live long, healthy lives with appropriate care.
Feline Leukemia Virus
A retrovirus more easily transmitted than FIV (shared bowls, mutual grooming, mother-to-kitten). Vaccine available and recommended for kittens and at-risk outdoor cats. Many infected cats appear healthy for years but have a substantially shorter lifespan.
Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease
Umbrella term for several conditions affecting cat bladders and urethras — idiopathic cystitis, crystals, stones, and (in male cats) urethral obstruction. Urethral obstruction is a true emergency — a cat that can't pass urine for over 24 hours can develop fatal complications.
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Hypoadrenocorticism
A condition where the adrenal glands fail to produce enough cortisol and aldosterone. Standard Poodles are over-represented. Often mimics other diseases (vague GI signs, lethargy, weakness); diagnosis requires specific blood testing. Manageable for life with daily medication.
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Hyperadrenocorticism
The opposite of Addison's — the adrenal glands overproduce cortisol. Classic signs include increased thirst and urination, pot-bellied appearance, thinning skin, and recurrent infections. More common in older small-breed dogs.
Overactive thyroid
Excessive thyroid hormone production. Common in older cats (especially over 10 years). Signs include weight loss despite increased appetite, vocalizing, restlessness, and vomiting. Treatable with medication, radioactive iodine, or surgery.
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Underactive thyroid
Insufficient thyroid hormone production. Common in middle-aged dogs (Golden Retrievers, Boxers, Dobermans). Signs include weight gain despite normal appetite, lethargy, hair thinning, and recurrent ear infections. Treated with daily oral thyroid replacement.
Insufficient insulin
Either type 1 (most dogs) or type 2 (most cats) — the body cannot regulate blood glucose. Signs include increased thirst, urination, and appetite, plus weight loss. Treatable with insulin injections; some cats achieve remission with diet and weight management.
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Pancreatic inflammation
Inflammation of the pancreas, often triggered by a high-fat meal or as a complication of other conditions. Signs include vomiting, abdominal pain (often a 'prayer position' in dogs), and lethargy. Ranges from mild and self-limiting to life-threatening.
Tick-borne blood parasite (cats)
A tick-borne protozoal infection of cats, transmitted by the lone star tick. Carries very high mortality even with aggressive treatment. Common in the Southern U.S., spreading northward. Outdoor cats in endemic regions need year-round tick prevention specifically labeled for cats.
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Bone cancer
The most common bone cancer in dogs, especially large and giant breeds (Rottweilers, Great Danes, Greyhounds). Aggressive — average survival without treatment is short; survival with amputation plus chemotherapy is much better. Early lameness in a large-breed senior dog warrants prompt imaging.
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Recurrent unprovoked seizures
A neurological condition causing recurring seizures. Idiopathic epilepsy (no underlying cause found) is the most common form in dogs. Border Collies, Australian Shepherds, and Beagles are over-represented. Most cases are well-controlled with daily medication.
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