{"id":9331,"date":"2023-07-01T08:00:02","date_gmt":"2023-07-01T12:00:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/?page_id=9331"},"modified":"2025-06-09T20:19:20","modified_gmt":"2025-06-10T00:19:20","slug":"vet-def-res","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/vet-def-res\/","title":{"rendered":"Veterinary Definitions and Resources"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

As I write about Athena’s FIP diagnosis and treatment<\/a> and Floofenstein’s life with FIV<\/a> there are terms I need to include that don’t have plain language equivalents easily available online. So, I created this page to house explanations and definitions to avoid cluttering my posts any more than necessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Overview of FIP<\/a>, updated 7\/1\/2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Overview of FIV<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

NOTE: I’ve only included terms for which I can’t find easy links.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jump to: \u21e3 Resources<\/a> | \u21e3 Published Studies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Terminology<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alanine Transaminase<\/strong> (ALT) is also important in the metabolism of nitrogen and is most often associated with the liver. High levels indicate liver damage, toxin ingestion, Cushing\u2019s disease and various metabolic disorders. Low levels indicate starvation or malnutrition. | Source: PetPlace.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Albumin<\/strong> is the major protein found in the body. It carries various substances through the blood and is important in maintaining pressure within the vessels. High levels indicate dehydration. Low levels indicate chronic inflammation, liver disease, kidney disease, starvation and blood loss. | Source: PetPlace.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cerenia<\/strong> (maropitant citrate) can be used as a mild form of pain relief. It is sometimes used in surgery, reducing the pain felt during manipulation of internal organs during procedures such as spaying, and hence <\/strong>reducing the amount of general anaesthetic agent needed (this is known as an \u201canaesthetic sparing effect\u201d). | Source: Cats.com<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chloride<\/strong> is responsible in part for metabolism (turning food into energy), and keeping the body’s acid base balanced. | Source: PetMD<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Compounded<\/strong> animal drugs are typically made by pharmacists or veterinarians. Animal drug compounding is the process of combining, mixing, or altering ingredients to create a medication tailored to the needs of an individual animal or a small group of animals, and these drugs can play a critical role in veterinary medicine. | Source: FDA<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Creatinine<\/strong> is a muscle enzyme that is excreted by the kidneys and builds up in the blood when kidney function decreases. It will increase with dehydration and decrease in very thin cats but your veterinarian will take these factors into account when staging your cat. | Source: Scottsdale Cat Clinic<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dorzolamide and Timolol<\/strong> are both prescribed to cats as eye drops. Timolol is in a class of medications called topical beta blockers which reduce intraocular pressure preventing damage to the optic nerve and the subsequent loss of vision. Dorzolamide is in a class of medications called topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitors which reduce intraocular pressure similar to beta-blockers. Dorzolamide and timolol lower pressure in the eye by decreasing the production of natural fluids in the eye. | Sources: MedlinePlus.gov<\/a>, PubMed.gov<\/a>, Topical Ophthalmic Beta Blockers: A Comparative Review<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)<\/strong> \u2014 also known as an EIA test \u2014 is a common laboratory testing technique that detects and counts certain antibodies, antigens, proteins and hormones in bodily fluid samples. A portion of the disease to be tested for (the antigen) is attached to a solid surface, like a medical tube or plastic plate. This virus acts as the antigen. The blood sample is then added to the surface. If the sample contains antibodies for the disease, they\u2019ll bind to the antigen; if not, nothing will happen. Another antibody is then added that will bind to any antibody that\u2019s already attached to the antigen. This second antibody is linked with an enzyme (a substance that speeds up a chemical reaction). This is the \u201cenzyme-linked\u201d portion of ELISA. Finally, a substance is added that reacts with the enzyme and makes the substances change color if antibodies are present. If the test is positive, then a color reaction will occur. The intensity of the color change is proportional to the amount of the antibody. So an ELISA can determine both the presence of the antibody and how much of it there is. | Source: Cleveland Clinic<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Fever of Unknown Origin (FUO) Blood Panel<\/strong> our local vet ran is through Idexx<\/a>. While not much information is available about the panel, the submitted blood is checked for the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n