Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook.pdf - Mr. Walnuts

GLOSSARY • 593
Ileocecal valve A flap of mucosa at the junction of the small bowel and the
colon that acts like a valve.
IM Abbreviation for intramuscular; an injection given into the muscle.
Immune-mediated A process in the body in which proteins in the immune
system lead the body to destroy its own cells. This can happen for unknown
reasons (idiopathic) or due to a secondary cause such as infection, parasites,
cancer, or a drug reaction.
Immunosuppressants Medications that suppress the immune response—a
desirable effect in autoimmune diseases.
Intubation Placing a breathing tube into the trachea to establish an airway
for assisted breathing.
In utero Occurring in the uterus.
Incarceration Trapping an organ or part of an organ within a closed space.
Most commonly refers to intestine trapped in a hernia.
Infarction Death of tissue as a consequence of an interruption in the blood
supply.
Infection Disease caused by a bacteria or a virus.
Infertility Absence of fertility. A bitch who can’t conceive or a dog who
can’t sire a litter.
Infestation The presence of parasites in numbers that may be sufficient to
cause an infection.
Intact An animal who has not been spayed or neutered.
Intersex The condition in which an animal has sex organs that have characteristics
of both sexes and/or has chromosomes containing both male and
female genetic material. Such animals are usually relatively or absolutely
infertile.
Intromission The introduction of the penis into the vagina during breeding.
Involution The process by which the uterus empties and returns to normal
size after whelping.
IV Abbreviation for intravenous; an injection given into a vein.
IVP Intravenous pyelogram; an X-ray of the kidneys taken after injecting a
dye into a vein. This test provides an assessment of the renal circulation,
ureters, bladder, and urethra.
Jaundice A yellow discoloration in the whites of the eyes and mucous membranes
of the mouth, caused by an accumulation of bile in the serum and tissues.
Usually associated with liver disease or the destruction of red blood cells.
Karotype A “picture” of all the chromosomes in a cell.