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Veterinary Medical Terminology

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Term
Definition
Aliment/o   meaning nourishment (combining term for digestive tract)  
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Oral cavity   contains the lips, cheeks, hard and soft palate, salivary glands, tongue, teeth, and periodontium  
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Alimentary, Gastrointestinal, GI System   Digestive system comprised of long muscular tubes that start at the mouth and end at the anus.  
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Or/o, Stomat/o   meaning "mouth"  
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Gnath/o   meaning "jaw"  
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Prognathia   elongated mandible  
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Brachygnathia   shortened mandible  
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Labia, Labium (singular)   medical term for "lips"  
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Cheil/o, Labi/o   meaning "lips"  
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Buccal   pertaining to, or directed towards the cheek of the mouth  
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Bucc/o   meaning "cheek"  
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Palate   roof of the mouth  
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Hard Palate   forms the bony rostral portion of the palate with special mucus membranes  
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Rugae   specialized mucus membranes that contain irregular folds  
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Rug/o   meaning "wrinkle or fold"  
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Soft Palate   forms the flexible caudal portion of the palate  
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Palat/o   meaning "Palate"  
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Tongue   the movable muscle in the mouth that is used for tasting, and processing food.  
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Papillae   elevations on the dorsum of the tongue  
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Frenulum   the connective tissue that connects the tongue to the ventral surface of the mouth  
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Gloss/o, Lingu/o   meaning "tongue"  
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Dent/o, Dent/i, Odont/o   meaning "teeth"  
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Dentition   refers to the teeth as a whole  
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Deciduous Dentition (milk teeth)   temporary set of teeth that erupt in young animals and are replaced at or near maturity  
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Decidu/o   meaning "shedding"  
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Permanent Dentition   the set of teeth designed to last the lifespan of the animal  
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Mixed Dentition   the period when both Deciduious and Permanent Teeth are present in the same mouth  
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Retained Deciduous Tooth   a tooth that has not been shed, and may need to be removed professionally  
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Incisor   front tooth used for cutting  
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Canine (needle teeth)   long, bonelike tooth located between the incisors and Premolars. (also called fang and cuspid)  
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Premolar (cheek teeth)   cheek tooth found between canine and molar teeth  
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Molar (cheek teeth)   most caudally located permanent tooth  
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Dental Formula   representation of the type of tooth and the number of each  
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Selenodont   animals that have crescents on their grinding surfaces (ruminants)  
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Lophodont   animals with teeth that have ridged occlusal surfaces (equine)  
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Bunodont   animals with teeth that have worn, rounded surfaces (swine)  
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Hypsodont   animals with continuosly erupting teeth (chek teeth of ruminants)  
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Pleurodont   animals with teeth attached by one side on the inner jaw (lizards)  
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Brachydont   animals with permanently rooted teeth  
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Enamel   hard white substance covering the dentin of the crown of the tooth  
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Cementum   the bone like connective tissue that covers the root of the tooth  
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Dentin   the connective tissue surrounding the tooth pulp  
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Pulp   consists of nerves, blood vessels, and loose connective tissue  
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Apical Foramen   the hole at the tip of the root where nerve and blood vessels enter the tooth  
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Periodontia   structures that support the teeth  
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Alveoli   sockets or sac-like dilations that the teeth are situated in.  
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Alveolar Bone   a thin layer of compact bone that forms the tooth socket  
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Periodontal Ligament   fibrous structure that holds the tooth in the alveolus  
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Gingiva   mucous membrane that surrounds the teeth and forms the mouth lining  
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Gingiv/o   meaning "gums"  
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Gingival Sulcus   the space that surrounds the tooth, located between the tooth and the gingival margin  
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Salivary Glands   a group of cells located in the oral cavity that secrete a clear substance containing digestive enzymes  
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Saliva   moistens food, begins digestive process by aiding in bolus formation and some digestive enzyme activity, also cleans the mouth  
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Manibular Salivary Gland   found near the mandible  
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Sublingual Salivary Gland   found under the tongue  
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Zygomatic Salivary Gland   found medial to the zygomatic arch  
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Parotid Salivary Gland   found near the ear  
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Sialaden/o, Sial/o   meaning "salivary gland"  
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Endodontics   branch of dentistry that involves treatment of diseases that affect tooth pulp  
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Exodontics   branch of dentistry that involves extraction of teeth and related processes  
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Oral Surgery   branch of surgery that involved correction of the jaw, gums, and inside of the mouth  
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Orthodontics   branch of dentistry that involves the guidance and correction of Malocclusion  
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Periodontics   the branch of dentistry that studies and treats diseases of tooth supporting structures  
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Pharynx (Throat)   the caudal oral cavity that joins the respiratory and gastrointestinal systems  
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Pharyng/o   meaning "pharynx"  
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Mastication   chewing  
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Ingesta   the material that is taken in orally  
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Hypersalivation (Ptyalism/Hypersialosis)   excessive production of saliva  
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sial/o, ptyal/o   meaning "sailva"  
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Deglutition   swallowing  
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Phag/o   meaning "eating or ingesting"  
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Esophagus   a collapsible, muscular tube that leads from the oral cavity to the stomach, located dorsal to the trachea  
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Esophag/o   meaning "esophagus"  
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Sphincter   a ring like muscle that constricts an opening  
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Abdomen   cavity located between the diaphragm and pelvis  
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Abdomin/o, Celi/o, Lapar/ois   meaning "abdomen or flank"  
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Peritoneum   the membrane lining that covers the abdominal and pelvic cavities and some organs in that area  
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Parietal Peritoneum   the layer that lines the abdominal and pelvic cavities  
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Visceral Peritoneum   covers the abdominal organs  
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Lesser Omentum   a fold of peritoneum that the stomach is connected to  
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Greater Omentum   a fold of peritoneum on the dorsal abdominal wall that connects to the stomach  
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Gastr/o   meaning "stomach"  
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Monogastric   animals with one true glandular stomach  
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Ruminant   has 3 forestomachs that are actually out pouchings of the esophagus  
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Glandular Stomach   the one that produces secretions for digestion  
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Cardia   entrance area of stomach, located nearest to the esophagus  
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Fundus   base of an organ, which is the cranial, rounded part  
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Body (Corpus)   the main portion of an organ, which is the ounded base or bottom  
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Antrum   caudal part of the stomach which is the constricted part that joins with the pylorus  
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Pylorus   narrow passage between the stomach and duodenum  
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Pylor/o   meaning "gatekeeper"  
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Pyloric Sphincter   muscle ring that constricts the flow of matieral  
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Regurgitate   passive action of ingesta moving from the stomach or esophagus back to the mouth  
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Remasticate   to chew again  
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Intestinal Flora   normal microorganisms living in the gastrointestinal tract  
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Rumen (Paunch)   largest compartment of the ruminant stomach that serves as fermentation vat  
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Reticulum (Honeycomb)   most cranial compartment of the ruminant stomach  
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Omasum   third compartment of ruminant stomach, has short papillae that grind food  
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Abmasum   fourth compartment of ruminant stomach, also called true stomach  
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Mesentery   a fold of peritoneum that is attached to the abdominal wall and the small intestine  
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Gastroenterology   the study of the stomach and small intestine  
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Enter/o   meaning "small intestine"  
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Duodenum   proximal or 1st portion of small intestine  
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Duoden/i, Duoden/o   meaning "duodenum"  
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Jejunum   middle portion of the small intestine  
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Jejun/o   meaning "jejunum"  
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Ileum   distal, most aboral, or last portion of the small intestine  
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Ile/o   meaning "ileum"  
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Cecum   1st section of the large intestine  
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Cec/o   meaning "cecum"  
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Colon   middle portion of the large intestine, has ascending, transverse, and descending portions  
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Col/o   meaning "colon"  
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Haustra   the cecum and colon of pigs and horses are sacculated  
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Rectum   Caudal portion of the large intestine  
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Rect/o   meaning "rectum"  
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Anus   controlled by to sphincter muscles that tighten and relax to allow or control defecation  
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An/o   meaning "anus"  
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Anorectal   pertaining to the anus and rectum  
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Proct/o   meaning "anus and rectum"  
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Anal Sacs   sacs lined with microscopic anal glands that secrete foul smelling fluid  
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Flexures   bends of curves in the large intestine  
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Pelvic Flexures   a bend in the colon near the pelvis  
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Diaphragmatic Flexure   a bend in the colon near the diaphragm  
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Liver   located caudal to the diaphragm  
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Hepat/o   meaning "liver"  
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Glucose   material that the liver filters out  
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Hypoglycemia   a condition when the blood sugar is low  
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Hepatocytes   liver cells  
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Sinusoids   meaning "channels"  
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Bile   Liver produces this to aid in digestion  
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Biliary   meaning "bile"  
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Emulsification   fat digestion  
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Bilirubin   a pigment produced from the destruction of hemoglobin that is released in teh liver  
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Cyst/o   meaning "sac, cyst, urinary bladder"  
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Gallbladder   sac that is embedded in the liver that stores bile  
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Chol/e   meaning "bile, or gall"  
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Doch/o   meaning "receptical"  
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Cholecystic   meaning "gallbaldder"  
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Choledochus   meaning "common bile duct"  
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Pancreas   elongated gland located near the cranial portion of the duodenum  
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Pancreat/o   meaning "pancreas"  
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Trypsin   an enzyme that digests protein  
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Lipase   and enzyme that digests fat  
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Amylase   and enzyme that digests carbohydrates  
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Digestion   process of breaking down food into nutrients that the body can use  
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Enzymes   substances that chemically change another substance  
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Metabolism   the processes involved in the body's use of nutrients  
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Meta-,   meaning "beyond"  
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Anabolism   the building of body cells and substances  
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Catabolism   the breaking down of body cells  
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Absorption   the process of taking digested nutrients into the circulatory system  
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Nutient   a substance needed by our bodies to sustain life  
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Villi, Villus   hairlike projections in the small intestine that  
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Vill/i   meaning "tuft of hair"  
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Prehension   the act of collecting food in your mouth  
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Mastication   chewing, or breaking the food down with saliva  
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Deglutition   moves the ingests into the pharynx and esophagus  
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Peristalsis   the series of wavelike contractions of smooth muscle  
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-stalsis   meaning "contraction"  
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Chyme   semifluid mass of partly digested food that passes from the stomach  
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Ballottement   diagnostic technique of hitting or tapping the wall of a fluid filled structure to bounce a solid structure against a wall  
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Barium   contract material used for radiographic studies  
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Enema   introduction of fluid into the rectum  
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Biopsy   removal of tissue to examine  
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Blood test   determination of blood perameters used to detect some diseases  
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Colonoscopy   endoscope procedure of the inner surface of the colon  
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Esophagoscopy   examination of the esophagus with an endoscope  
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Fecal examinations   used to determine whether or not an animal has parasites  
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Gastroscopy   endoscope exam of the inner surface of the stomach  
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Hemoccult   text for hidden blood in the stool  
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-occult   meaning "hidden"  
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Radiography   general imaging of internal stuctures  
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Ultrasound   imaging of internal body structures by recording sound waves  
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Achalasia   inability to relax smooth muscle of the GI tract  
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Adontia   absence of teeth  
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Aerophagia   swallowing of air  
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Anal Sacculitis   inflammation of the anal sacs  
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Inspissation   process of rendering dry or thick by evaporation and is used to describe the anal sac fluid in animals with Anal Sacculitis  
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Anorexia   lack or loss of appetite  
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Ascariasis   parasitic infestation with roundworms of the genus Ascaris  
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Ascites   abnormal accumulation of fluid in the abdomen  
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Atresia   occlusion or absence of normal body opening or tubular organ  
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Bloat   accumulation of gas in the digestive tract  
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Ruminal Tympany   accumulation of gas in the rumen in ruminants  
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Borborygmus   gas movement in the GI tract that produces a rumbling noise  
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Bruxism   involuntary grinding of the teeth  
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Cachexia   general ill health and malnutrition, used when describing cancer patients  
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Cirrhosis   inflammation of the gallbladder  
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Cirrh/o   meaning "tawny, yellow orange"  
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Colic   severe abdominal pain (common in horses)  
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Colitis   inflammation of the colon  
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Constipation   condition of prolonged GI transit time, making the stool hard, dry, and difficult to pass  
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Coprophagia   ingestion of fecal matter  
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Copr/o   meaning "feces"  
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Coprophagic Therapy   feeding a suspension of fecal pellets from a healthy animal to an ill animal. used in some animal species like guinea pigs and rabbits to treat GI disease  
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Cribbing   vice of equine in which an object is grasped between the teeth, pressure is applied, and air is inhaled  
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Dehydration   condition of excessive loss of body water or fluid  
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Dental Calculus (Tartar)   abnormal mineralized deposit that forms on teeth  
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Dental Caries   decay and decalcification of teeth, producing a hole  
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Diarrhea   abnormal frequency and liquidity of fecal matter  
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Displaced Abomasum   disease of ruminants in which the fourth stomach compartment becomes trapped under the rumen  
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Diverticulitis   inflammation of a pouch of pouches occurring in the wall of a tubular organ  
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Dyschezia   difficulty defecating  
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Dysentery   number of disorders marked by inflammation of the intestine, abdominal pain, and diarrhea  
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Dysphagia   Difficulty swallowing or eating  
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Emaciation   marked wasting or excessive leanness  
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Emesis (vomit)   forcible expulsion of stomach contents through mouth  
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Per Os (PO   to give something orally  
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Non Per Os (NPO)   to give nothing orally  
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Enteritis   inflammation of the small intestine  
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Enterocolitis   inflammation fo teh small and large intestine  
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Epulis   benign tumor arising from periodontal mucous membranes  
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Eructation   belching or raising gas orally from the stomach  
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Esophageal Reflux   return of stomach contents into esophagus (also called GERD)  
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Eviscerate   remove or expose internal organs  
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Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency   metabolic disease in which the pancreas does not secrete adequate amounts of digestive enzymes  
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Fecalith / Coprolith   stone like fecal mass  
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Flatulence   excessive gas formation in the GI Tract  
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Gastric Dilatation   condition usually seen in deep chested canines in which the stomach fills with air and expands  
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Gastric Dilatation Volvulus (GDV)   condition usually seen in deep chested canines in which the stomach fills with air, expands, then twists on itself  
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Gastritis   inflammation of the stomach  
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Gastroenteritis   inflammation of the stomach and small intestine  
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Gingival Hyperplasia   overgrowth of the gingiva characterized by firm, nonpainful swellings  
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Gingivitis   inflammation of the gums  
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Glossitis   inflammation of the tongue  
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Hematemesis   vomiting blood  
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Hematochezia   passage of a bloody stool  
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Hemoperitoneum   blood in the peritoneum  
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Hepatitis   inflammation of the liver  
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Hepatoma   Tumor of the liver  
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Hepatomegaly   abnormal enlargement of the liver  
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Hiatal Hernia   protrusion of a part of the stomach through the esophageal opening in the diaphragm  
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Hydrops   Abnormal accumulation of fluid in tissues of body cavity  
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Hyperglycemia   elevated blood sugar levels  
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Hypoglycemia   Lowered blood sugar levels  
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Ileitis   inflammation fo the ileum  
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Ileus   stoppage of intestinal peristalsis  
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Impaction   obstruction of an area  
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Inappetence   lack of desire to eat  
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Incontinence   inability to control, (fecal incontinence = unable to control bowel movements)  
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Inflammatory Bowel Disease   a group of chronic gastrointestinal disorders that are characterized microscopically by the inflammation fo inflammatory cells into the lining on the digestive tract  
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Inguinal Hernia   protrusion of bowel through the inguinal canal (seen in groin area)  
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Intussusception   telescoping of one part of the intestine into another adjacent part  
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Jaundice (Icterus)   yellow dis colorization of the skin and mucous membranes  
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Lethargy   condition of drowsiness or indifference  
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Malabsorption   impaired uptake of nutrients from intestine  
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Malnutrition   lack of proper food or nutrients  
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Total Parenteral Nutrition   a liquid with all the nutrients an animal needs  
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Malocclusion   abnormal contact between the teeth  
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Megacolon   abnormally large colon  
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Megaesophagus   abnormally large esophagus  
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Melena   black, tarry stool containing digested blood  
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Nausea   stomach upset or sensation or urge to vomit  
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Obstruction   complete stopage or impairment to passage  
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Oronasal Fistula   abnormal opening between the nasal and oral cavity  
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Palatoschisis   congenital fissure of the roof of the mouth that may involve the upper lip, hard palate, soft palate  
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Perforating ulcer   erosion though the entire thickness of a surface  
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Periapical Abscess   inflammation of tissue and collection of pus surrounding the apical portion of a tooth root due to pulpal disease  
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Peridontitis   inflammation of the tissue surrouding and supporting the teeth  
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Pica   eating and licking abnormal substances or a depraved appetite  
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Plaque   small, differentiated area on a body surface  
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Polydipsia (PD)   excessive thirst or drinking  
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Polyp   small growth on a mucous membrane  
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Polyphagia   excessive eating or swallowing  
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Prolapse   protrusion of viscera (rectal prolapse=protrusion of the rectum through the anus)  
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Quidding   condition in which food is taken into the mouth and chewed, but falls out  
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Regurgitation   return of swallowed food into the oral cavity, a passive event  
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Salivary Mucocele   collection of saliva that has leaked from a damaged salivary gland  
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Scours   diarrhea in livestock  
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Shunt   to bypass or divert  
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Stenosis   narrowing of an opening  
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Stomatitis   inflammation of the mouth  
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Tenesmus   painful, ineffective defecation  
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Torsion   axial twist, tist around the long axis of gut  
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Trichobezoar   hairball  
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Ulcer   erosion of tissue  
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Volvulus   twisting in on itself  
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Abdominocentesis   surgical puncture of the abdomen to remove fluid  
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Abomasopexy   surgical fixation of the abomasum to the abdomen wall  
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Anastomosis   surgical connection between two tubular or hollow structures  
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Anoplasty   surgical repair of the anus  
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Antidiarrheal   substance that prevents diarrhea  
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Bolus   rounded mass of food or large pharmaceutical preparation or to give something rapidly  
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Cholecystectomy   removal of the gallbladder  
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Colectomy   removal of the colon  
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Colostomy   adding a surgical hole between the colon and outsdie the body  
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Colotomy   surgical incision into the colon  
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Crown   restoration of teeth  
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Drench   to give medication in liquid form by mouth and forcing animal to drink  
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Emetic   producing vomit  
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Enterostomy   surgical artificial opening between the small intesting and outside wall  
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Esophagoplasy   surgical repair of the esophagus  
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Extraction   removal  
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Fistula   abnormal passage from an internal organ to the body surface  
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Float   instrument used to file or rasp on an equine's premolar teeth  
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Gastrectomy   surgical removal of the stomach, or just some of it  
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Gastroduodenostomy   removal of all out part of the stomach and duodenum  
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Gastropexy   surgical fixation of teh stomach to the abdominal wall  
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Gastostomy   surgical production of an artificial opening  
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Gastrotomy   surgical incision into the stomach  
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Gavage   force feeding or irrigation through a tube passed into the stomach  
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Gingivectomy   surgical removal of gum tissue  
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Hepatotomy   surgical incision into the liver  
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Ileectomy   surgical removal of the ileum  
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Ileostomy   artificial opening between the ileum and abdominal wall  
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Lapraotomy   incision into the abdomen  
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Nasogastric Intubation   placement of a tube through the nose in to the stomach  
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Orogastric Intubation   Passage of a tube from the mouth to the stomach  
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Palatoplasty   surgical repair of a cleft plate  
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Transfaunation   transferring microbes from one animal to another  
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Trocarization   insertion of a pointed instrument into a body cavity or an organ  
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BE   Barium Enema  
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BM   bowel movement  
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C   canine (tooth)  
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DA   displaced abomasum  
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EPI   exocrine pancreatic insufficiency  
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GDV   gastric dilatation volvulus  
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GERD   gastroesophageal reflux disease  
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GI   gastrointestinal  
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I   incisor (tooth)  
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IBD   inflammatory bowel disease  
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LDA   left displaced abomasum  
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M   molar (tooth)  
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NG   nasogastric  
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NPO   nothing by mouth (no per os)  
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P   premolar (tooth)  
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PD   polydipsia  
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PO   orally (per os)  
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RDA   right displaced abomasum  
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TPN   total parenteral nutrition  
🗑


   

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