This list focuses on abbreviations and acronyms commonly used in veterinary practice and supplements the standard and widely available reference sources such as Gale’s Acronyms, Initialisms & Abbreviations Dictionary. It is intended for use by veterinary students, researchers, practitioners, and librarians. The initial selection of abbreviations and acronyms was based on The Merck Veterinary Manual, Seventh Edition, published by Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J, U.S.A., 1991. The list continues to be supplemented using many other sources such as Guide to Veterinary Medical Terminology by Phillip E. Cochran, published by American Veterinary Publications, Inc., Goleta, CA. A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Top -A-AAAP 1. American Association of Avian Pathologists; 2. Asian-Australasian Association of Animal Production Societies AABP American Association of Bovine Practitioners AAEP American Association of Equine Practitioners AAHA American Animal Hospital Association AAFCO American Association of Feed Control Officials AASP American Association of Swine Practitioners AASRP American Association of Small Ruminant Practitioners ab, Ab Antibody ABPE Acute bovine pulmonary emphysema and edema ABVP American Board of Veterinary Practitioners ac [Latin] Ante cibum / cibos, before meals ACD Acid-citrate-dextrose ACE Angiotensin-converting enzyme ACL Anterior cruciate ligament ACT 1. American College of Theriogenologists; 2. Activated coagulation time ACTH Adrenocorticotropic hormone AD Aleutian Disease ADF Acid detergent fiber ADH Antidiuretic hormone, vasopressin ADP Adenosine diphosphate ad lib [Latin] Ad libitum, as much as desired AEMV American Exotic Mammal Veterinarians AFIP Armed Forces Institute of Pathology ag, Ag 1. Antigen; 2. Antigenemia AGID Agar gel immunodiffusion AHS African horse sickness AHT Animal health technician AHV-1 Alcelaphine herpesvirus 1 AI Artificial insemination AIDS Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome AIHA Autoimmune hemolytic anemia AIPE Asphyxia-induced pulmonary edema ALD Approximate lethal dose ALP Alkaline phosphatase ALT Alanine aminotransferase / alanine transaminase (see also GPT, SGPT) AMB Amphotericin B ANA Antinuclear antibodies ANF Atrial natriuretic factor ant. Anterior AP Anterior-posterior APHIS Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (of USDA) APPO Assistance Program for Pet Owners APR Acute phase response APTT Activated partial thromboplastin time APUD Amine precursor uptake decarboxylase ARD Antibiotic-responsive diarrhea ARD Acute renal disease ARP American Registry of Pathology ARPAS American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists ASF African swine fever ASPCA American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals AST Aspartate transaminase (aspartate aminotransferase) / aspartic acid trasaminase (aspartic acid aminotransferase) (see also GOT, SGOT) ATP Adenosine triphosphate AUC Area under the curve AV 1. Atriventricular; 2. Arteriovenous; 3. Abomasal volvulus (see also RDA, RTA) av Average AVECCT Academy of Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care Technicians AVMA American Veterinary Medical Association AZT Azidothymidine (now called Zidovudine, ZDN), 3′-Azido-3′-deoxythymidineA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Top -B-BAER Brain stem auditory evoked responses BAL 1. previously used name for Dimercaprol (1,2-Dimercapto-3-propanol); 2. bronchoalveolar lavage BCG Bacillus Calmette-Guérin BD Border disease BER Basal energy requirement BFR Benign foot rot b.i.d. [Latin] Bis in die, twice a day BIV Bovine immunodeficiency-like virus BHC Benzene hexachloride BHV Bovine herpesvirus BLV Bovine leukemia virus BMD Bone mineral density bp, BP Blood pressure bpm Beats per minute BPDME Bovine progressive degenerative myeloencephalopathy BRD Bovine respiratory disease BRS Brown recluse spider BRSV Bovine respiratory syncytial virus BRT Brucella milk ring test BSE Bovine spongiform encephalopathy BSP Bromsulfophthalein BT Bluetongue (virus) BUN Blood urea nitrogen BVD(V) Bovine viral diarrhea (virus) BW Body weight Bx BiopsyA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Top -C-C-1, C-2, C-3, …, C-7 the cervical vertebrae CA Contagious agalactia CAE(V) Caprine arthritis and encephalitis (virus) cAMP Cyclic adenosine monophosphate CAR Congenital articular rigidity CAT scan Computerized axial tomography CAV Canine adenovirus CAV Chick anemia virus CBC Complete blood count CBF Cerebral blood flow CCHF Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever ccms Clean catch, midstream CCV Canine coronavirus CDC Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDV Canine distemper virus CEAH Centers for Epidemiology and Animal Health CEM Contagious equine metritis CF 1. Chronicity factor; 2. Complement fixation (test) CFU Colony forming units CHF Congestive heart failure CHV Canine herpesvirus CL Corpus luteum CLA Caseous lymphadenitis CM Castrated male CMT California mastitis test CN1 Cranial nerve 1, olfactory nerve CN2 Optic nerve CN3 Occulomotor nerve CN4 Trochlear nerve CN5 Trigeminal nerve CN6 Abducens nerve CN7 Facial nerve CN8 Vestibulocochlear nerve CN9 Glossopharyngeal nerve CN10 Vagus nerve CN11 Accessory nerve CN12 Hypoglossal nerve CNS Central nervous system COPD Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (heaves) CP conscious proprioception CPD Citrate-phosphate-dextrose CPD-A Citrate-phosphate-dextrose-adenine CPK Creatinine phosphokinase CPR Cardiopulmonary resuscitation CPRA Central progressive retinal atrophy CPV Canine parvovirus CRD Chronic respiratory disease CRD Chronic renal disease CRG Controlled-release glasses crit Hematocrit CRTZ Chemoreceptor trigger zone CRWAD Conference of Research Workers in Animal Disease CSF Cerebrospinal fluid CSM Cottonseed meal CT 1. Calcitonin, thyrocalcitonin; 2. computerized tomography CTC Chlortetracycline CVP Central venous pressure CVT Certified Veterinary TechnicianA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Top -D-DEA Drug Enforcement Administration DEC Diethylcarbamazine (N,N-diethyl-4-methyl-1-piperazinecarboxamide) DES Diethylstilbestrol DFA Diffuse fibrosing alveolitis DHIA Dairy Herd Improvement Association DHIR Dairy Herd Improvement Registry DHLP-P Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus (vaccine) DHV Duck hepatitis virus DI Diabetes insipidus DIC Disseminated intravascular coagulation DIP Distal interphalangeal joint [in horses] DJD Degenerative joint disease DLE Discoid lupus erythematosus DM 1. Deciduous molar(s); 2. Diabetes mellitus; 3. diastolic murmur; 4. dry mass; 5. dry matter; et alia DMNA Dimethylnitrosamine DMOAD, DMOADs Disease-modifying osteoarthritis drug(s) DMSO Dimethyl sulfoxide DNA Deoxyribonucleic acid DOCA Desoxycorticosterone acetate DOCP Desoxycorticosterone pivalate DSS Dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate DTM Dermatophyte Test Medium DV Dorsal-ventral DVM Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Dx DiagnosisA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Top -E-EBA Epizootic bovine abortion EBV Epstein-Barr virus ECF Extracellular fluid ECG, EKG Electrocardiogram eCG Equine chorionic gonadotropin E. coli Escherichia coli ECP Estradiol cypionate ED Elbow dysplasia [e.g. in dogs] EDDI Ethylenediamine dihydroiodide EDP Edema disease principle EDS Egg drop syndrome EE Equine encephalomyelitis EEE Eastern equine encephalomyelitis EEG Electroencephalogram EF Ejection fraction EFA Essential fatty acids EHD Epizootic hemorrhagic disease EHV Equine herpesvirus EKG see ECG EIA 1. Enzyme immunoassays; 2. equine infectious anemia EIAV Equine infectious anemia virus (a lentivirus) EIPH Exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage ELF Enzyme-labeled fluorescence ELISA Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay EM Electron microscopy EMC Encephalomyocarditis EMG Electromyography EP Enzootic pneumonia EPA Environmental Protection Agency EPG Eggs per gram (of feces) EPI Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency EPM Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis EPO ErythropoietinA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Top -F-FA 1. Fatty acid(s); 2. Flourescent antibody FAD Flea allergy dermatitis FARAD Food Animal Residue Avoidance Databank FCP Fragmentation of the coronoid process, fragmented coronoid process FCV Feline calicivirus FDA Food and Drug Administration FDP Fibrin degradation products FeBb Feline Bordetella bronchiseptica FECV Feline enteric coronavirus FeLLC Feline lymphosarcoma-leukemia complex FeLV Feline leukemia virus FFA Free fatty acids FHD Feline heartworm disease FHV 1. Feline herpesvirus; 2. Flock House virus FIA Feline infectious anemia FIP Feline infectious peritonitis FIV Feline immunodeficiency virus fLUTD Feline lower urinary tract disease FMD Foot-and-mouth disease FMDV Foot-and-mouth disease virus (Aphthovirus) FNA Fine-needle aspiration FOCMA Feline oncornavirus-associated cell membrane antigen FORL Feline odontoclastic resorptive lesion(s) FRV 1. Feline rhinotracheitis virus; 2. feline rotavirus(es) FSH Follicle-stimulating hormone FSV Feline sarcoma virus FUD Fever of undetremined origin FUS Feline urological syndrome fx Fracture FVRCP Feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, panleukopenia [vaccine]A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Top -G-GABA Gamma-aminobutyric acid GALT Gut-associated lymphoid tissue GDU Gastroduodenal ulceration GDV Gastric dilitation-volvulus GES Group E streptococcus GFR Glomerular filtration rate GH Growth hormone GHRH Growth hormone-releasing hormone GI Gastrointestinal GME Granulomatous meningoencephalomyelitis Gn-RH Gonadotropin-releasing hormone GOT Glutamic-oxaloacetic (glutamate-oxaloacetate) transaminase / aspartate aminotransferase (see also AST, SGOT) GPT Glutamate-pyruvate (glutamic-pyruvic) transaminase / alanine aminotransferase (see also ALT, SGPT) GRAS Generally regarded as safe GVH Goose viral hepatitis G6PD Glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenaseA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Top -H-H&E Hematoxylin and eosin (stain) HA 1. Hemagglutinin; 2. hemagglutination; 3. Hypertensive angiopathy HACCP Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points Hb, Hgb Hemoglobin HBC Hit by car HCG Human chorionic gonadotropin HCH Halogenated cyclic hydrocarbons Hct Hematocrit HD Hepatosis dietetica HD Hip dysplasia HEV Hemagglutinating encephalomyelitis virus Hgb see Hb HGE Hemorrhagic gastroenteritis HHM Humoral Hypercalcemia of malignancy HI Hemagglutination-inhibition HMP Hexose monophosphate shunt HOD Hypertrophic osteodystrophy HPA Hypophyseal-pituitary axis HPF High-power field Hpg Haemophilus paragallinarum HS Hemorrhagic septicemia HSL Hypertonic saline HUS Hemolytic uremic syndrome hypp Hyperkalemic periodic paralysisA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Top -I-IAADP International Association of Assistance Dog Partners IACUC Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee IBD 1. Infectious bursal disease; 2. inflammatory bowel disease IBH Inclusion body hepatitis IBR 1. Inclusion body rhinitis; 2. infectious bovine rhinotracheitis IC 1. Infectious coryza; 2. intracardiac ICF Intracellular fluid ICH Infectious canine hepatitis ID Intradermal IDDM Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus IDST Intradermal skin testing IFA Indirect fluorescent antibody IFN Interferon Ig Immunoglobulin IGR Insect growth regulators IHA Indirect hemagglutination iLUTD Idiopathic lower urinary tract disease IM Intramuscular IN Intranasal inf. 1. Infection; 2. inferior INH Infectious necrotic hepatitis IP Intraperitoneal IPN Infectious pancreatic necrosis IPV Infectious pustular vulvovaginitis isom(s) or ISCOM(s) Immunostimulating complex(es) IV Intravenous IVD Intervertebral disc IVP Intravenous pyelogram, intravenous pyelography IVSA International Veterinary Students’ AssociationA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Top -J-JAAHA Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association JAVMA Journal of the American Veterinary Medical AssociationA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Top -K-KBH Kicked by horse KCS Keratoconjunctivitis sicca KPMG L.L.P. Name of the consulting firm which produced the report “The Current and Future Market for Veterinarians and Veterinary Medical Services in the United States”, commonly referred to as the KPMG study or KPMG report. (See King. L. J. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times”: a perspective on the KPMG study. J. Am. Vet. Med. Assoc. 217(7):996-998.) KTZ Keratonazole kVp Kilovolt peakA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Top -L-LA Large animal LCM Lymphocytic choriomeningitis LD Lethal dose LDA Left displacement of abomasum LE Lupus erythematosus LH Luteinizing hormone LMN Lower motor neurons LPE Lymphocytic-plasmacytic enteritis LPF Low-power field(s) LPS Lipopolysaccharide LRS Lactated Ringer’s solution LVT Licensed veterinary technicianA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Top -M-mA Milliamperes MAC Minimal antibiotic concentration MALT Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue MAOI Monoamine oxidase inhibitor(s) MAP Mouse antibody production MBC Minimal bactericidal concentration MCF Malignant catarrhal fever MCH Mean corpuscular hemoglobin MCHC Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration MCP Metacarpophalangeal joint [in horses] MCT 1. Market cattle testing; 2. Mast cell tumor(s) MCV 1. Mean cell volume; 2. Mean corpuscular volume ME Metabolizable energy MEC Minimal effective plasma concentration MED Median effective dose (ED 50) MG Monoglycerides MH Malignant hyperthermia MHA Microangiopathic hemolytic anemia MHD Mulberry heart disease MHV Mouse hepatitis virus Mhz Megahertz MIC Minimal inhibitory concentration MI 3-methylindole MLV Modified live virus MMA Mastitis-metritis-agalactia complex MNTD Maximum nontoxic dose MOET Multiple ovulation and embryo transfer mOsm Milliosmol(s) MRCVS Member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons MRI Magnetic resonance imaging mRNA Messenger ribonucleic acid MSD Marble spleen disease MSH Melanocyte-stimulating hormone MTC Maximum tolerated plasma concentration MTD Median toxic dose (TD 50) MTD Maximum tolerated doseA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Top -N-NADH Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide NADPH Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate NAF No abnormal findings NAHMS National Animal Health Monitoring Systems (of USDA) NASPHV National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians NAVLE North American Veterinary Licensing Examination NAVTA North American Veterinary Technician Association NBEC National Board Examination Committee for Veterinary Medicine NCPPSP National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy NCV Nerve conduction velocities ND Newcastle disease NDF Neutral detergent fiber NECL Nonepitheliotropic cutaneous lymphosarcomas NFM Northern fowl mite NMB New Methylene Blue NMD Nutritional muscular dystrophy NMS Neonatal maladjustment syndrome NPN Nonprotein nitrogen NPO [Latin] Nil per os, nothing by mouth nRBC Nucleated red blood cells NRC National Research Council NSAID, NSAIDs Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugsA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Top -O-OA Osteoarthritis, degenerative joint disease OCD Osteochondritis dissecans O.D. [Latin] Oculus dexter, right eye ODE Old-dog encephalitis OFA Orthopedic Foundation for Animals OID Ovine interdigital dermatitis OP Organophosphates OR Operating room os, ossa [Latin] Bone O.S. [Latin] Oculus sinister, left eyeA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Top -P-P-A Posterior-anterior PABA Para-aminobenzoic acid PAD Pododermatitis aseptica diffusa PAF Platelet activating factor PBB Polybrominated biphenyls PBFD Psittacine beak and feather disease pc [Latin] Post cibum / cibos, after meals PCB Polychlorinated biphenyls PCV Packed cell volume PDA Patent ductus arteriosus PDE Phosphodiesterases PE Physical examination PED Porcine epidemic diarrhea PEDV Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus PEM Polioencephalomalacia PF Platelet Factor PG, PGs 1. Prostaglandin; 2. proteoglycan(s) PHS Pulmonary hypertension syndrome PI-3 Parainfluenza-3 virus PIE syndrome Pulmonary infiltration with eosinophilia PKD Proliferative kidney disease PLH Pharyngeal lymphoid hyperplasia Plt Platelet(s) PMN Polymorphonuclear leukocytes PMSG Pregnant mare serum gonadotropin PNS Peripheral nervous system PNU Protein nitrogen units PO [Latin] Per os, orally post. Posterior POVMR Problem-oriented veterinary medical record PPLO Pleuropneumonia-like organism PPN Partial parenteral nutrition PPR Peste des petits ruminants pr Per rectum PRA Progressive retinal atrophy PRDC Porcine respiratory disease complex PRN, p.r.n. [Latin] Pro re nata, as occasion arises (as needed) PRRS Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome PRV Pseudorabies virus PSE Pale soft exudative pork PSGAG Polysulfated glycosaminoglycan PSS 1. Physiologic saline solution; 2. porcine stress syndrome PT Prothrombin time PTH Parathormone, parathyroid hormone PTHrP PTH-related proteins PTS Put to sleep pulv Pulverized, powder Px Physical examinationA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Top -Q-q., qq. [Latin] Quaque, every, each (e.g. q.d. quaque die, every day; qh quaque hora, every hour; q4h every four hours; etc.) q.i.d. [Latin] Quater in die, four times daily ql [Latin] Quantum libet, as much as desired QNS Quantity not sufficient qod every other day (see q.) QOL Quality of life qs [Latin] Quantum sufficiat, as much as is sufficient qv [Latin] Quantum vis, as much as you pleaseA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Top -R-R, r Roentgen [international unit of measurement of x- or g-rays] RA Rheumatoid arthritis RANA Registered Animal Nursing Auxiliary RAST Radioallergosorbent test RBC Red blood cells RDA Right displacement of the abomasum (see also AV 3.) REM Rapid eye movement RER Resting energing requirement RES Reticuloendothelial system REV Reticuloendotheliosis virus RMSF Rocky Mountain spotted fever RNA Ribonucleic acid RSAT Rapid slide agglutination test RTA Right torsion of the abomasum (see also AV 3.) RTF Resistance transfer factor RV Rabies vaccine RVF 1. Rift Valley fever; 2. Right ventricular failure RVVT Russell’s viper venom time R x [Latin] recipe, take, receive (used to indicate a prescription or treatment)A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Top -S-SA 1. Sinoatrial; 2. Small animal SAIDS Simian acquired immunodeficiency syndrome SAMS Sow abortion and mortality syndrome SAP Serum alkaline phosphatase SARA Subacute ruminal acidosis SBE Sporadic bovine encephalomyelitis SC Subcutaneous(ly) SCUD Septicemic cutaneous ulcerative disease SDA Sialodacryoadenitis SDH Sorbitol dehydrogenase SDF Synchronous diaphragmatic flutter, “thumps” SF Spayed female SFT Society for Theriogenology SG Specific gravity SGOT Serum glutamic-oxaloacetic (glutamate-oxaloacetate) transaminase / aspartate aminotransferase (see also AST, GOT) sGPT, SGPT Serum glutamate-pyruvate (glutamic-pyruvic) transaminase / alanine aminotransferase (see also ALT, GPT) SHS Swollen head syndrome SI 1. Safety index; 2. superior-inferior SIBO Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth SIRS Systemic inflammatory response syndrome SIV 1. Simian immunodeficiency virus; 2. swine influenza virus SLE Systemic lupus erythematosus SLS Streptococcal lymphadenitis SMSV San Miguel sea lion virus SMZ Sulfamethazine SPD Salmon poisoning disease SPF Specific pathogen free sp / spp Species (singular) / species (plural) SSRI, SSRIs Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor(s) subcut. Subcutaneous(ly) (see also Sub-Q) Sub-Q Subcutaneous(ly) (see also subcut.) sup. Superior SVD Swine vesicular disease sx SurgeryA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Top -T-TAT Tetanus antitoxin TB Tuberculosis TBF Tick-borne fever TCP Tropical canine pancytopenia TDN Total digestable nutrients TEME Thromboembolic meningoencephalitis TGC Tender gentle care TGE Transmissible gastroenteritis t.i.d. [Latin] Ter in die, three times a day TLC Tender loving care TLI Trypsin-like immunoreactivity TME Transmissible mink encephalopathy TMJ Temporomandibular joint TMS Trace mineral salt TNF Tumor necrosis factor TNTC Too numerous to count TPN Total parenteral nutrition TOX, TOXO, Toxo 1. Toxoplasma; 2. Toxoplasmosis TRH Thyrotropin-releasing hormone TRTVs Turkey rhinotracheitis viruses TSH Thyroid-stimulating hormone, thyrotropin TT 1. Tetanus toxoid; 2. thrombin time TTW Transtracheal washes or washing T 3 Triiodothyronine T 4 ThyroxineA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Top -U-UAP Ununited anconeal process UD Ulcerative dermatosis UIP Undegraded intake protein UMCP Ununited medial coronoid process UMHE Ununited medial humeral epicondyle UMN Upper motor neurons USP United States Pharmacopeia UTI Urinary tract infectionA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Top -V-VD Ventral-dorsal VEE Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis VEN,PEN Viral erythrocytic necrosis VES(V) Vesicular exanthema of swine (virus) VFA Volatile fatty acids VFD Veterinary feed directive VFR Virulent foot rot VHD Viral hemorrhagic disease VMD Veterinary medical doctor VN Virus neutralization VS Vesicular stomatitis VT Veterinary technician VVND Viscerotropic velogenic Newcastle disease VWD Vomiting and wasting disease VWF Von Willebrand’s factorA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Top -W-WB Western blot [test] WBC White blood cells WEE Western equine encephalomyelitis WHO World Health Organization WMD White muscle disease WMT Wisconsin mastitis test WVA World Veterinary Association WVPA World Veterinary Poultry AssociationLinks to Alphabetical List of Abbreviations & Acronyms A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Top Back to top |
