Veterinarian glossary

Short, plain-English definitions of the terms you'll meet when choosing a veterinarian provider in Denver CO.

What are rabies vaccination requirements in Colorado?: Colorado law requires dogs and cats to be vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian, with initial vaccination followed by boosters every 1 or 3 years depending on the vaccine used.
What is a DACVS (board-certified veterinary surgeon)?: A DACVS is a veterinarian who has completed a surgical residency and passed the American College of Veterinary Surgeons board examination, earning the credential "Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons."
What is a DVM (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine)?: A DVM is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, the graduate degree required to legally practice veterinary medicine and treat animals in most U.S. states including Colorado.
What is a fractious animal?: A fractious animal is an aggressive, anxious, or resistant patient that requires extra restraint, patience, or sedation during veterinary examination and treatment.
What is a spay (ovariohysterectomy)?: A spay is a surgical procedure that removes a female animal's ovaries and uterus to prevent pregnancy and associated reproductive health conditions.
What is a titer test?: A blood test that measures the level of antibodies against specific diseases, used to assess whether a dog has adequate immunity without needing a booster vaccine.
What is a veterinary technician (LVT/CVT/RVT)?: A licensed veterinary technician is a credentialed animal health professional who has passed a state licensing exam and performs diagnostic, surgical, and clinical tasks under a veterinarian's supervision.
What is a zoonotic disease?: A zoonotic disease is an infectious agent that can transmit from animals to humans, either through direct contact, bites, scratches, or exposure to bodily fluids or contaminated environments.
What is an exotic animal in veterinary care?: In veterinary practice, exotic animals are non-domestic species that require specialized medical knowledge, including reptiles, birds, small mammals, and pocket pets like guinea pigs and rabbits.
What is anesthesia protocol pre-anesthetic bloodwork?: Pre-anesthetic bloodwork is a laboratory panel run before anesthesia or surgery to assess kidney, liver, and blood cell function and detect conditions that could affect anesthetic safety.
What is avian sexing?: Avian sexing is a veterinary procedure to determine biological sex in birds that lack external sexual dimorphism, typically using DNA testing or surgical examination of reproductive organs.
What is Bordetella kennel cough vaccine?: Bordetella is a bacterium that causes kennel cough, and the vaccine protects dogs against this contagious respiratory infection typically required for boarding and daycare facilities.
What is canine hydrotherapy?: Canine hydrotherapy is water-based physical therapy for dogs that uses underwater treadmills and swimming to support rehabilitation after surgery or manage joint disease.
What is dental prophylaxis?: Dental prophylaxis is a professional cleaning procedure done under anesthesia that removes tartar and plaque buildup from a pet's teeth to prevent periodontal disease and tooth decay.
What is egg binding in birds?: Egg binding is a condition in which a female bird becomes unable to expel an egg, causing it to become stuck inside the body and potentially leading to serious internal damage or death.
What is Fear Free certification?: Fear Free certification is a credential earned by veterinary professionals who complete training in anxiety-reduction techniques for handling fearful or stressed animals during medical care.
What is IV fluid therapy (crystalloids)?: Crystalloid IV fluids are electrolyte solutions administered directly into the bloodstream to restore hydration, maintain blood pressure, and support organ function during surgical procedures and emergency veterinary treatment.
What is neutering (castration)?: Neutering is a surgical procedure in which a veterinarian removes a male animal's testicles to prevent reproduction and manage behavior and health.
What is periodontal disease staging?: Periodontal disease staging is a four-point grading scale veterinarians use to assess the severity of gum disease in companion animals based on clinical signs and radiographic findings.
What is the difference between core and non-core vaccines?: Core vaccines protect against diseases that pose risk to most or all pets and are recommended universally, while non-core vaccines are given selectively based on a pet's lifestyle, geography, and exposure risk.
What is the microchipping standard (ISO 134.2 kHz)?: The ISO 134.2 kHz microchip standard is an international frequency specification for pet identification implants that ensures scanner compatibility and enables veterinarians to register animals in recovery databases.
What is triage in veterinary emergencies?: Triage is the process of evaluating and prioritizing veterinary patients based on injury or illness severity, directing the most critical cases to immediate treatment regardless of when they arrived.
What is veterinary acupuncture?: Veterinary acupuncture is a treatment that places fine needles at specific anatomical points on an animal's body to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and restore function, based on Traditional Chinese Medicine principles.
What is veterinary chiropractic care?: Veterinary chiropractic care involves manual spinal manipulation performed by certified veterinarians to address musculoskeletal dysfunction and nerve compression in animals.