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.
