Medical Terms

A synovial joint is a freely movable joint in a pet’s body. A synovial joint allows the ends of two bones to move against each other as it contains a joint cavity.

If a condition or disease is called “idiopathic”, it means that the cause of the condition/disease is unknown. For example, ‘idiopathic cystitis’ means that the bladder is inflamed but there’s no obvious reason why (no bacteria, no crystals, etc)

Chemotherapy is a treatment option for some types of cancers. Chemotherapy involves using one or more drugs that stop cancerous cells from growing or dividing.

If a condition or disease is called “iatrogenic”, it means that a human intervention (usually a medicine or other treatment) causes the condition or disease.

A urethral plug is solid material made from bladder debris and cells that can block the urethra. Urethral plugs are a common cause of blocked urethras, which cause life-threatening damage to the body.

The urethra is the tube that connects the bladder to the outside world. Urine leaves the body through the urethra.

Cystitis means inflammation of the bladder. Bladder inflammation can occur in a pet for many reasons, including urinary stones, urinary tract infections, and stress.

Environmental enrichment means improving a pet’s environment, which increases their physical, emotional and mental wellbeing, reduces stress, and improves behaviour.

“Renal” is the medical word for kidney. So a ‘renal diet’ is a kidney diet, and ‘renal failure’ means ‘kidney failure’.

A femoral head ostectomy (FHO) refers to removal of top of the thigh bone, where it inserts into the pelvis. In other words, an FHO removes the “ball” of the “ball-and-socket” hip joint.