Veterinary Terminology Quiz

Study Notes

Abattoir: a facility where farm animals are harvested and processed into meat products.

Abomasum: the fourth compartment of the stomach of a ruminant where digestion takes place.

Abortion: premature loss of pregnancy.
Artificial Insemination: deposition of semen into the reproductive tract of the female by artificial means.
Breed: a group of animals descended from common ancestors and having certain distinguishing characteristics not common to other members of the same species.
Breeding Stock: animal intended for breeding purposes.
Breeding Herd: dry cows and heifers ready for breeding.
Capacitation: phenomenon where spermatozoa must be exposed to female tract secretions for a certain period to acquire capacity to fertilize eggs.
Castration: removal of testes from the scrotum or any method that would render the testes functionless.
Conception: pregnancy.
Embryo Transfer: implantation of embryos or fertilized eggs into a surrogate mother.
Estrus Cycle: interval from one estrus to the next estrus.
Estrus Period: the sexual period of females when they are receptive to mating.

Acaricide: a substance or preparation used to kill ticks and mites.
Anthelmintic: a drug administered to get rid of gastrointestinal parasites.
Bloat: excessive accumulation of gases in the rumen of an animal.
Bottle Jaw: edema or fluid accumulation under the jaw, a sign of infection.
Coccidiostat: a chemical agent mixed in feed or drinking water to control coccidiosis in animals.
Colostrum: milk produced during the first 3-5 days after parturition, rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals.
Concentrate: feed that is high in energy, low in fiber content, and highly digestible.
Fodder: feed materials for ruminants, either fresh or dried, usually coarse.
Forage: feed materials with lower nutritive value than concentrates.
Hay: cut and dried forage for livestock.
Haylage: grass silage.
Herbage: grass and other herbaceous vegetation for animal feeding.

Ad libitum: unlimited feeding.
Adrenaline (Epinephrine): a hormone released by adrenals as a result of nervous stimulation.
Afterbirth: another term for placenta.
Churn: to agitate, causing the separation of free fat in milk or cream.
Condition: the degree of fatness of an animal.
Constitution: the size and quality of vital organs of an animal, determining its constitutional vigor.
Cud: food of a ruminant regurgitated to be chewed again.
Drench: to give liquid medicine to an animal by pouring it down the throat.
Dystocia: difficult birth where the female requires assistance at parturition.
Elastrator: a device used for castration by using a rubber band.
Emasculator: a device used for castration by using a burdizzo.
Fawn: a light yellowish-brown color.
Flerd: a mixed group of sheep and cattle.
Flushing: feeding livestock with plenty of feeds to make them gain weight before or during breeding season.
Grassland: a land or area where the natural dominant plant form is grass.
Hand Feeding: a system of feeding wherein feeds are brought to animals.
Herd: any number of cattle under one management, maintained in one premise, and allowed to associate or come into contact with one another.
Heritability: the extent to which a trait is influenced by genetics.