Veterinary Acronyms
The following table contains some of the acronyms that we have identified by students participating in our programs. The original intention with this list was to support their learning and so better prepare them for their careers. Recognising that others might find this helpful and knowing there are many more acronyms commonly in use, we are sharing this list with the broader profession and community.
Can you add to this list or offer explanations? Submissions are welcome using the form below.
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Acronym |
Term in Full |
Comments |
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ACB |
Accessory Carpal Bone |
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AEC |
Ambulatory Emergency Care |
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AG/AGs |
Anal Gland/Anal Glands |
Correct terminology is "anal sacs" |
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AH |
Antihistamines |
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BCH |
Benign Cutaneous Histiocytoma |
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BCS |
Body Condition Score |
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BIOP |
Been In Owners Possession |
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BIPS |
Barium Impregnated Polyethylene Spheres |
Used for diagnosis of intestinal obstructions and motility disorders |
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BOAS |
Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome |
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BV sounds |
Bronchovesicular sounds |
Normal breathing sounds on auscultation |
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C2i |
Protech C2i Vaccine |
Protects Vs Leptospirosis and Canine Coronavirus |
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CCD |
Canine Cognitive Dysfunction |
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CCKM |
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CFA |
Cat Fight Abscess |
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CKD |
Chronic Kidney Disease |
see also: CRF |
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COHAT |
Comprehensive Oral Health Assessment and Treatment |
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CP |
Conscious Proprioception |
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CrCL |
Cranial Cruciate Ligament |
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D/C |
Discharge or Discontinue |
Depends on context |
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DJD |
Degenerative Joint Disease |
aka Osteoarthritis |
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DNR |
Do Not Revive |
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DOA |
Dead On Arrival |
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DSP |
Dental Scale and Polish |
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EDDU |
Eating Drinking Defecating Urinating |
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EDUF |
Eating Drinking Urine and Faeces |
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EENT |
Ears, Eyes, Nose, Throat |
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EOD |
Every Other Day |
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EPI |
Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency |
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FAD |
Flea Allergic Dermatitis |
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FB |
Foreign Body |
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FLs |
Forelegs |
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FNA |
Fine Needle Aspirate or Aspiration |
Either the specimen for cytology, or the means of getting the specimen |
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FORL |
Feline Odontoclastic Resorptive Lesion |
Old term for tooth resorption in cats |
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FS |
Fluorescein Staining |
Eyes |
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GHC |
General Health Check |
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GPE |
General Physical Examination |
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GTM |
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HGE |
Haemorrhagic Gastroenteritis |
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HLs |
Heart & Lungs |
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HPP |
Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis |
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HSA |
Haemangiosarcoma |
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HWI |
Heart Worm Injection |
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INI |
If No Improvement |
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IOP |
Intraocular Pressure |
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KCS |
Keratoconjuntivitis Sicca "Dry Eye" |
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LDDST |
Low-Dose Dexamethasone Suppression Test |
For suspected Cushings Syndome |
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LE |
Lupus Erythematosus |
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LNs |
Lymph Nodes |
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LSa or LSA |
Lymphosarcoma (Synonymous with Lymphoma) |
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MCT |
Mast Cell Tumour |
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MPL |
Medial Patella Luxation |
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MVD |
Myxomatous Valvular Degeneration |
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NAD |
No Abnormalities Detected |
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NAF |
No Abnormalities Found |
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NE |
Not Evaluated |
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NGS |
Nexguard Spectra |
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NOC |
No Other Concerns |
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NQR |
Not Quite Right |
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NSF |
No Significant Findings |
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NWB |
Non-Weight Bearing |
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OA |
Osteoarthritis |
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OE |
Otitis Externa |
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PDPU |
Polydipsia Polyuria |
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PLR |
Pupillary Light Reflex |
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POA |
Power Of Attorney |
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POC |
Post-Op Check |
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PSS |
Portosystemic Shunt |
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PTS |
Put To Sleep |
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PUPD |
Polyuria Polydipsia |
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QOL |
Quality Of Life |
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ROM |
Range Of Motion |
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RUK9 |
Right Upper Canine |
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SA |
Sebaceous Adenitis |
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SL |
Skin Lesion |
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SLUD |
Salivation, Lacrimation, Urination, Defication +/- Emesis |
Signs of toxins eg ticks |
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SSFP |
Steady-State Free Procession |
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STT |
Schirmer Tear Test |
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TAHP |
Total Annual Health Profile |
Bloods |
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TAHP |
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TECA |
Total Ear Canal Ablation |
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TGH |
To Go Home |
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TPLO |
Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy |
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UANl |
Urinalysis |
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UDCA |
Ursodeoxycholic Acid |
bile acid used for treatment of cholestasis etc. |
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USMI |
Urethral Sphincer Mechanism Incompetence |
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UTD |
Up To Date |
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UTI |
Urinary Tract Infection |
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V/D/C/S |
Vomiting Diarrhoea Coughing Sneezing |
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VHS |
Vertebral Heart Score |
For cardiac enlargement and imaging |
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WB |
Weight Bearing |
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WNL |
Within Normal Limits |
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WRP |
Wound-related Pain |
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