Equipment which uses extreme heat and steam pressure to kill all bacteria, viruses and other organisms on objects such as surgical instruments.

Procedures intended to protect animals and humans against disease, and to mitigate the spread of disease. Commonly involves disinfecting areas and instruments between patients, washing and sanitizing hands, wearing gloves, coveralls and other protective clothing, and containing infected animals in an isolated area where they are not in contact with untrained personnel or any other animals. Also involves the proper handling and disposal of biologic samples (blood, urine, etc.).

The surgical removal of both testicles from a male. The scrotal sac is not removed during this surgery. Also called a neuter or orchidectomy.

A process used to stop bleeding or remove lumps. Can be done using specific chemicals (such as silver nitrate) or high heat. Causes mild destruction of a thin layer of tissue which seals blood vessels closed and can also separate a lump from the underlying normal tissue.

Complete blood count. A laboratory test that looks at the number, shape, and other characteristics of red blood cells as well as all the different types of white blood cells, and provides information about hydration status, ability to clot blood, and presence of infection. A CBC can also indicate certain issues with allergies, parasites, some types of cancer, and autoimmune diseases.

The medical and scientific study of cells. As a diagnostic tool, cytology refers to looking at a sample of cells using a microscope.

Electrocardiogram. A measurement of the electrical conductivity of the heart, which is used as a diagnostic test for heart function. Some changes in conductivity indicate arrhythmias, or abnormalities in the normal rhythm of the heart beat (for example, a heart beat that is off-tempo, or a beat where there is too long or too short of a pause between the two parts of the heart beat). Other changes in conductivity indicate a thickening in a particular part of the heart muscle. Changes on ECG are used to diagnose different types of heart disease, as well as to monitor the effectiveness of treatments for these diseases. Most types of heart disease cannot be detected just by listening to the heart with a stethoscope until they become more advanced.

Refers to a sleep-like state of complete unconsciousness, where the patient is completely unaware of what is happening and does not have any memory of the procedure. Generally uses a combination of injected drugs to sedate the patient, another intravenous injection to induce the patient under general anesthetic, and inhaled gasses along with supplemental oxygen to maintain the state of general anesthetic throughout the procedure. While patients under general anesthesia are not consciously aware of pain, anesthetic agents alone do not provide proper pain control during surgery, and therefore safe and comfortable anesthesia must be accompanied by the use of adequate pain medications.

The medical field dealing with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases. Internal medicine relies on clinical history, physical examination, and diagnostic tests to make a diagnosis. Medical treatments include medications and dietary and lifestyle changes.

Into the vein or blood vessel.

A catheter which is placed into a blood vessel (intravenously) for the purpose of administering fluids or medications, or for taking a blood sample. IV catheters are soft and more comfortable to have in a blood vessel than a needle is. They can be taped or sutured in place.

Refers to temporarily numbing or freezing a specific area of the body using injectable or topical medications.

The surgical removal of both testicles from a male. The scrotal sac is not removed during this surgery. Also called a castration or orchidectomy.

The medical field that deals with the musculoskeletal system (bones, muscles, and their connecting ligaments and tendons).

The study of the causes and effects of diseases, especially the branch of medicine that deals with the laboratory examination of tissues and fluids from the body for diagnostic purposes.

X-ray. A still image formed on a sensitive plate or film by rays of radiation. Used to image and detect changes in bones, organs, and some tissues.

The liquid portion of blood. Spinning a special tube full of blood very quickly in an instrument called a centrifuge will result in the blood cells (red and white cells along with platelets) settling out in the bottom of the tube, while the serum is left at the top of the tube. The serum can then be collected and used for diagnostic tests or sometimes as a treatment for articular injuries or illnesses.

A blood test that evaluates the function of many different internal organs, including the liver, gallbladder, kidneys, and pancreas, and provides useful information to diagnose diseases or monitor effectiveness of treatment for diseases involving these and other organs.

The surgical removal of the uterus and both ovaries from a female. Also called an overiohysterectomy.

A method for performing procedures (such as surgeries) to minimize the risk of infection. Involves preparing the patient (clipping hair and scrubbing the area with special surgical scrubs and rinses), the surgeon (scrubbing hands with special surgical scrub solutions, wearing a sterile surgical gown and sterile surgical gloves), and everyone (surgeon, assistant, anesthetist) who will be in the area of the procedure (wearing special caps and face masks to prevent dander, hair, and exhaled germs from reaching the patient). Also involves placing sterile drapes on and around the surgical site and using only sterile instruments and suture to perform the procedure. Proper sterile technique also involves performing the procedure in a specially-dedicated and extremely clean room, and minimizing air-flow into the surgical room from other areas of the clinic.

The process of removing all organisms such as bacteria or viruses from an object. Typically refers to preparing instruments for use in surgery, so as to minimize the chances of a patient developing a post-operative infection. We sterilize surgical instruments and other items, such as the gown the surgeon wears when performing surgery, using an autoclave.

A real-time moving image formed by sending ultra-sonic sound waves into the body, which bounce back to the probe, or transducer, at different speeds depending on the density of the tissue they pass through. Used to image and detect changes in organs, tissues and vessels.

Testing urine which involves many different tests and measures of the chemical composition of the urine, as well as looking at the urine under a microscope to visualize cells, crystals, bacteria, and other changes.

A catheter which is placed in the urethra and extending to the bladder for the purpose of removing urine from the bladder; either to collect a sample for diagnostic purposes, to help an injured animal urinate, or to remove a urinary blockage such as a stone.

An injectable substance which stimulates the immune system and teaches it to attack a specific infectious agent, and so teaches the body how to fight off a specific disease without actually causing the disease when the vaccine is given. Vaccines contain a recognizable part of a virus or bacteria, but do not contain any live viruses or bacteria. If you think of the immune system as an army, then a vaccine is the equivalent of showing the army the uniform of the enemy, so that when the enemy arrives in the future the army is trained and ready to attack before the enemy has a chance to do much damage. Vaccines are not only very safe, they are extremely effective at preventing illness and death from certain serious and/or incurable diseases. Only an extremely small portion of patients will ever experience an adverse vaccine reaction, and for those who do the reaction is typically very mild, such as tenderness in the area the vaccine was given or a slight decrease in energy for a day or two. The risk of dying from a vaccine-preventable illness is much, much, higher than the risk of experiencing a serious adverse vaccine reaction.