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Glossary

Rabies

A fatal virus disease of warm blooded animals including man, that affects the brain and is spread in the saliva of infected animals. Rabid animals have a temperament change. Wild creatures become bold enough to attack human beings, and docile domestic ani

Radiology

X-ray.

Recessive

Requires a copy of the gene from both parents to exhibit the trait. Having only one copy of the gene makes the animal a carrier of the trait, and he will never exhibit the trait ­ unless the gene is located on the x or sex chromosome.

Recumbency

Lying down.

Regurgitation

Expelling food from the esophagus.

Renal

Pertaining to the kidneys.

Renal Insufficiency

The decreased ability of the kidneys to rid the body of wastes.

Reservoir

Where a disease causing organism lives and multiplies. Therefore the reservoir may not be the source of the organism, that is only where it lives and multiplies.

Resistance

A term used to describe bacteria which have mutated or changed so they are not affected by an antibiotic that previously killed them or slowed their growth. As more bacteria become resistant to various antibiotics, there are fewer antibiotics which will h

Resorption

In pregnancy, a condition in which the fetus dies, and instead of being aborted, the fetal tissue dissolves within the uterus and is absorbed by the mother. The mother will show no outward signs of a fetal resorption.

Respiratory

Relating to breathing or the lungs.

Respiratory Depression

Decrease in the rate or depth of respiration.

Respiratory Transmission

The most common route of human exposure in countries where infection is controlled in animals and where there is pasteurization of milk.

Retina

The rear interior surface of the eyeball is called the retina. The retina contains nerve cells referred to as rods and cones. The rods are sensitive to light and the cones to color. The retina receives the light and color and converts them into nerve impu

Ringworm

A type of fungal infection of the skin. See article: Ringworm in Dogs and Cats.

Roundworm

An infection with worms, either Toxocara canis or Toxascaris leonina. Very common in puppies. Prevalent in the soil and difficult to get rid of. People may be infected by ingesting contaminated feces but are an unnatural host and can develop significan

Route Of Administration

The way a drug is administered to an animal; i.e. orally, intramuscularly, intravenously.

Route Of Infection

The manner by which an infectious agent gains access to the animal.