Veterinarians glossary

Short, plain-English definitions of the terms you'll meet when choosing a veterinarian provider in Central Texas.

What are core vaccines for pets?: Core vaccines are the set of inoculations veterinarians recommend for all pets based on risk of exposure to serious diseases; they differ from non-core (lifestyle or risk-based) vaccines.
What is a board-certified veterinary specialist (DACVIM, DACVS)?: A veterinarian who has completed a multi-year residency in a specific field and passed a rigorous examination to earn the Diplomate credential, indicating specialized expertise beyond a general DVM license.
What is a Bordetella vaccine?: A vaccine that protects dogs against Bordetella bronchiseptica, the primary cause of kennel cough, a contagious canine respiratory disease often required by boarding and daycare facilities.
What is a chemistry panel?: A serum chemistry panel is a blood test that measures multiple chemical values to assess kidney, liver, and metabolic function in animals.
What is a complete blood count (CBC)?: A complete blood count (CBC) is a laboratory test that measures the types and quantities of cells in an animal's blood, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
What is a DVM?: A DVM (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine) is a professional veterinary degree earned after completing four years of accredited veterinary school, plus passing state licensing exams to legally practice veterinary medicine.
What is a microchip?: A microchip is a rice-sized RFID transponder implanted under an animal's skin that stores a unique identification number, readable by a compatible scanner.
What is a veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR)?: A VCPR is the legal relationship between a veterinarian, pet owner, and animal that must exist before a vet can legally diagnose disease, prescribe medication, or establish a treatment plan.
What is a veterinary referral?: A veterinary referral is when a primary veterinarian directs a patient to a specialist for specialized diagnosis, treatment, or surgical care that falls outside the scope of general practice.
What is a wellness exam?: A wellness exam is a preventive veterinary checkup where a veterinarian performs a physical assessment of a healthy pet to monitor for disease, update vaccinations, and catch health issues early.
What is canine parvovirus?: Canine parvovirus (parvo) is a highly contagious viral disease affecting dogs, especially puppies, that causes severe vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration and requires immediate veterinary care.
What is dental grading (stages 1-4)?: Dental grading (stages 1-4) is a veterinary classification system that scores the severity of periodontal disease in a pet's mouth, ranging from early gingivitis (stage 1) to advanced bone loss and tooth mobility (stage 4).
What is dental prophylaxis?: Dental prophylaxis is a preventive dental procedure in which a veterinarian removes plaque and tartar from a pet's teeth and gums, typically performed under general anesthesia with scaling and polishing.
What is fecal flotation?: Fecal flotation is a laboratory technique that uses a salt or sugar solution to separate and identify parasite eggs from stool samples, commonly used to diagnose roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, and other intestinal parasites in pets.
What is heartworm disease?: Heartworm disease is a parasitic infection caused by the worm Dirofilaria immitis, transmitted through mosquito bites, that damages the heart and lungs of infected pets.
What is in-home euthanasia?: In-home euthanasia is the process of ending a pet's life with medication, typically performed at the animal's residence by a veterinarian, often following sedation to minimize distress.
What is leptospirosis?: Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease caused by Leptospira species that spreads through contaminated water and infected animal urine, affecting dogs and other mammals.
What is pre-anesthetic bloodwork?: Pre-anesthetic bloodwork is a blood test panel performed before surgery to evaluate an animal's organ function, blood cell counts, and ability to tolerate anesthesia safely.
What is spay and neuter?: Spay and neuter are surgical sterilization procedures: spaying (ovariohysterectomy) removes the ovaries and uterus in females, while neutering (orchiectomy) removes the testicles in males.
What is veterinary acupuncture?: Veterinary acupuncture is a needle-based therapy in which fine needles are inserted at specific points on an animal's body, typically performed by licensed veterinarians or certified practitioners trained in the technique.
What is veterinary anesthesia monitoring?: Continuous observation of a patient's vital signs during anesthesia using specialized equipment and a dedicated technician to detect complications and maintain safety.
What is veterinary hospice and palliative care?: Veterinary hospice and palliative care is comfort-focused medical treatment for terminally ill or aging pets that prioritizes pain relief and quality of life over cure, typically during the final stages of disease or life.
What is veterinary telemedicine?: Veterinary telemedicine is the delivery of veterinary services through remote communication channels such as video calls, phone, or messaging between a licensed veterinarian and a pet owner, subject to veterinarian-client-patient relationship regulations.
What is veterinary triage?: Veterinary triage is the clinical process of evaluating and ranking animals by the urgency of their medical needs upon arrival at an emergency veterinary facility.