American Heartworm Society Glossary

adulticide- Manufactured medication formulated to kill adult heartworms.

angiography- X-ray of vessels after injecting a contrasting fluid.

anorexia- Loss of appetite.

ascites- Fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity.

antibodies- Substances produced by the immune system in response to invading material.

antigen- A substance creating an immune response within the body.

basophil- A white blood cell that often increases in numbers with the presence of heartworm disease.

basophilia- A condition in which there are more than the usual number of basophils in the circulating blood.

caudal- Lower.

caval syndrome- Large numbers of worms in the right heart and vena cava causing cardiovascular collapse and shock.

CBC- Complete blood count.

chylothorax- Presence of a thick white fluid from the intestinal circulation in the chest cavity.

dyspnea- Difficulty breathing.

Dirofilaria immitis- Heartworms.

echocardiography- Ultrasound of the heart.

ectopic- Other than in typical locations within the body.

eosinophil- A white blood cell that can increase in numbers for many reasons but specifically in any parasitic disease such as heartworms.

eosinophilia- A condition in which there are more than the usual number of eosinophils in the circulating blood.

hemoptysis- Blood in the sputum.

hepatomegaly- Enlargement of the liver.

larvae- Immature stage of parasite or insect that changes structurally as it matures.

microfilariae- Prelarval stage of heartworms. (pronounced: micro fil ar ee).

microfilaremia- Presence of microfilariae in the blood.

microfilaria- Singular of microfilariae.

microfilaricide- Medication to kill microfilariae.

nematodes- A common name for any roundworm of the phylum Nematoda.

nucleated erythrocytes- Immature red blood cells.

occult- Denoting a disease or condition that is clinically not apparent.

parasiticide- Medication to kill parasites.

prognosis- Outlook for recovery.

pulmonary arteries- Arteries of the lungs.

radiology- X-ray.

serology- Diagnostic tests for the study of antibodies and antigens in blood serum.

syncope- Temporary loss of consciousness.

tachycardia- Rapid heart rate.

tachypnea- Rapid breathing.

tortuosity- Abnormal twists or turns.

vena cava- Either of two large veins conveying blood to the right atrium of the heart.