| laminectomy | removal of part of the vertebral arch to relieve pressure from the ruptured IVD |
| occlusion | relation of the teeth of both jaws during functional activity |
| fistula | an abnormal tube-like passageway that can occur anywhere in the body |
| palate | roof of the mouth |
| cardiac sphincter | ring of muscle fibers at the proximal aspect of the stomach where it joins the esophagus |
| hydrochloric acid | produced in the stomach to digest food |
| pyloric sphincter | ring of muscle fibers at the distal end of the stomach where it joins the duodenum |
| anastomosis | surgical connection between two tubes |
| ascites | abnormal accumulation of fluid in the abdomen |
| gastric dilalation | abnormal condition in which the stomach fills with air and expands |
| gastric dilalation volvulus | an abnormal condition in which the stomach fills with air, expands, and then twists on itself |
| idiopathic | when the cause of disease is neither known nor understood |
| intussusception | telescoping of the intestines |
| obstipation | inability to eliminate |
| obstruction | complete stoppage or impairment of passage |
| HGE | hemorrhagic gastroenteritis |
| castration | removal of gonads |
| embryo | early stage of development from fertilization to when major structures begin to develop |
| fetus | later stages of development after major structures have been developed |
| parturition | the act of giving birth |
| uterine horns | pair of tubes extending from the uterine tubes to the body of the uterus |
| pyometra | pus in the uterus |
| anemia | decrease in red blood cells and/or hemoglobin |
| carcinoma | malignant tumor arising from the epithelial tissue |
| sarcoma | malignant tumor arising from the connective tissue |
| signalment | description of a patient such has age, breed, weight, and sex. |
| SOAP | subjective, objective, assessment, plan. |
| ascites | accumulation of fluid in the abdomen |
| atelectasis | incomplete dilation |
