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Macrophage
A type of phagocyte (cell in the body which 'eats' damaged cells and foreign substances such as virus and bacteria).
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Malabsorption/Maldigestion Syndrome
A condition involving the intestine in which food may not be properly digested or the nutrients not absorbed.
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Malignant
A process that does harm to nearby tissues. Usually synonymous with cancer, a tumor that grows quickly and spreads both in the original area where it occured and in remote parts of the body.
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Malnutrition
Ill health due to dietary deficiency or imbalance.
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Mammary
Pertaining to the breast.
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Mandible
Lower jaw.
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Mange
Any of several skin and ear conditions caused by a variety of mites.
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Mast Cell Tumor / Mastocytoma
A nodular growth, usually on the skin, which involves cells (mast cells) which contain large amounts of histamine and normally play a role in allergic reactions. All mast cell tumors in dogs should be considered potentially malignant.
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Masticate
Chew.
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Mastitis
An infection or inflammation of the mammary glands.
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Meal
When referring to food ingredients, meal means a ground-up preparation. Chicken meal is ground up chicken, which might include bones and feathers. Meat meal means ground up muscle meat.
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Medial
On the body toward the midline
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Megacolon
A condition in which the colon enlarges and dilates, which results in feces accumulating in the colon. Constipation then occurs. This condition is more common in cats than dogs.
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Megaesophagus
Overly enlarged esophagus causing buildup of food and saliva and regurgitation. Associated with aspirative pneumonia from an early age.
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Melena
Darkening of the stool due to the presence of digested blood, which indicates bleeding is occurring in the stomach and/or beginning of the small intestine. The feces generally look black and tarry.
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Memory
(Immunologic) Memory: When an animal mounts an immune response against a foreign substance, some cells are created to 'remember' the antigens on that substance. If the animal is again exposed to the substance, these cells will help the body respond much f
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Meningitis
not a disease, but a symptom, the inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, the meninges. This can be caused by bacteria, virus, fungi, or chemical toxins.
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Metabolize
To have molecules transformed within the body tissue through chemical processes.
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Metacarpus
The front limb between the carpus and the phalanges (toes).
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Metastatis
Spread of a tumor from its original location to a remote one, by tumor cells that are carried in the blood.
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