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Deafness
Deafness is the inability of an animal to perceive sound. It may be inherited or acquired, central or peripheral, partial or complete.
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Debride
To clean out dead or dying tissue from a wound.
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Decontaminate
Remove injurious material.
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Decubital Ulcers
Pressure sores, usually seen over bony prominances.
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Defecation
The elimination of feces from the rectum.
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Degenerative Myelopathy
A progressive disease of the spinal cord of unknown cause. The condition leads to lack of coordination in the hind legs which progresses to weakness and paralysis.
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Dehydration
A condition in which the body loses more water than it takes in, resulting in loss of fluid from the bloodstream and tissues.
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Demodectic mange
Skin disease characterized by hair loss particularly on the head, face, neck, shoulders and the front of the forelegs. Caused by the demodex mite which is normally found on the skin of most dogs, but due to an abnormality of the immune system, the body ov
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Dentistry
A general term usually relating to the teeth. Frequently used in veterinary practices as term for the cleaning and polishing of a pet's teeth under anesthesia.
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Dermal
Relating to the skin.
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Dermatitis
An inflammation of the skin.
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Dermatophyte
Fungus that causes ringworm; include Trichophyton, Microsporum and Epidermophtyon.
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Dermatophytosis
Ringworm. Dermatophytes live and grow only on non-viable keratinized tissue (skin, hair, nails). They will not grow in living cells.
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Dermis
The dermal layer of the skin that contains blood vessels, hair follicles, sebaceous glands, erector pili muscles, and apocrine sweat glands.
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Dextrose
A commonly used name for glucose (sugar) solutions given intravenously to treat fluid or nutrient loss.
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Diabetes
A metabolic disease caused by failure of the pancreas to produce insulin, a hormone that allows blood sugar (glucose) to be taken up by cells that require it for function.
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Diagnostic Tests
Procedures run to find the cause of disease or discomfort; tests used to make a diagnosis.
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Dialysis
A process which involves removing waste products from the body.
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Diarrhea
A condition in which the movement of food through the digestive system is faster than normal; often results in the frequent passing of abnormally loose or watery stool.
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Dietary Indiscretion
Eating what one should not. Dogs with dietary indiscretion eat garbage, dead fish on shore, etc.
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