
In the veterinary culture of English-speaking countries, it is common to use acronyms for all kinds of medical terminology. In other countries the use of these acronyms is not so widespread, so it is normal for foreign veterinarians starting to work in the United Kingdom to be surprised by the number of abbreviations that are used and that we have never heard of! Below is an extensive list of acronyms that are used commonly in practice and that you should become familiar with.
Food and drug administration
Ad lib ad libitum
CRI constant rate infusion
NPO nothing by mouth (nil per os)
TPN total parenteral nutrition
Administration Routes
PO oral(ly) (per os)
SC subcuteneous(ly(
IM intramuscular(ly)
IV intravenously)
Frequency of administration
sid once a day (q24h)
bid twice a day (q12h)
tid three times a day (q8h)
qid four times a day (q6h)
eod every other day (q48h)
prn as needed (pro re nata)
History and physical exam
C+ cough Dx diagnosis Tx treatment
D+ diarrhoea Ddx differential diagnosis C/U check up
V+ vomiting Hx history RV revisit
Fx fracture Px prognosis O owner
Vx vaccine Sx surgery (en algunos sitios lo usan para symptoms)
BAR bright, alert and responsive
QAR quiet, alert and responsive
TPR temperature, pulse, respirations
HR heart rate
RR respiratory rate
bpm beats per minute
rpm respirations per minute
MM mucous membranes
BW bodyweight
BCS body condition score
S/O stitches out, sutures out
PE physical exploration, physical exam
INB if not better
PLR pupillary light reflex
BIOP been in owner’s possession
STO spoke to the owner
DLH domestic long hair (cat)
DSH domestic short hair (cat)
EAGs empty anal glands
NAD nothing abnormal detected (a veces se ve como NAF-no abnormal findings)
WNL within normal limits
VMI very much improved
SOAP signalment, objective, assessment, plan (a method of organising medical records)
This dog presented collapsed, he had pale MM, a HR of 140bpm and a BP of 89/45mmHg. An AFAST revealed an haemoabdomen and a splenic mass (Image by wirestock on Freepik)
Cardiorespiratory
AV block atrioventricular block
BP blood pressure
CHF congestive heart failure
DCM dilated cardiomyopathy
HCM hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
URI upper respiratory infection
URTI upper respiratory tract infection
Neurology and musculoskeletal
CNS central nervous system
CrCL cranial cruciate ligament
CSF cerebrospinal fluid
DJD degenerative joint disease
IVDD intervertebral disk disease
OA osteoarthritis
TMJ temporomandibular joint
Urogenital
FLUTD feline lower urinary tract disease
FUS feline urologic syndrome
GFR glomerular filtration rate
AI artificial insemination
BUN blood urea nitrogen
UTI urinary tract infection
Gastrointestinal
EPI exocrine pancreatic insufficiency
GDV gastric dilatation-volvulus
GI gastrointestinal
Few things are beyond the scope of acronyms in the veterinary prac8ces of the UK. Acronyms are even used for breeds, such as this CKCS. Abbreviations are also used for many other breeds, such as the West Highland WhiteTerrier (westie-WHWT), the Yorkshire Terrier (yorkie), the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (cavie) or the Staffordshire Terrier (staffie).
Infectious diseases
FIP feline infectious peritonitis
FIV feline immunodeficiency virus
KC kennel cough
TB tuberculosis
Emergency and critical care
CPR cardiopulmonary resuscitation
DNR do not resuscitate
DOA dead on arrival
ICU intensive care unit
PTS put to sleep
QOL quality of life
RTA road traffic accident
OOH out of hours (trabajo fuera del horario normal de abertura de la clínica)
Diagnostic techniques
BAL bronchoalveolar lavage
BAST bile acid stimulation test
BG blood glucose
CBC complete blood count
DTM dermatophyte test medium
FNA fine needle aspirate
RBC red blood cells
MRI magnetic resonance imaging
CTscan- computed tomography
ECG electrocardiogram/electrocardiography.
PCV packed cell volume (hematocrito).
UA urinalysis
U/S ultrasound. También como US
POCUS- point of care ultrasound
AFAST abdominal focused assessment sonography for trauma, tiage and tracking
TFAST thoracic focused assessment sonography for trauma, tiage and tracking
X-ray radiograph
WBC white blood cells. Se puede añadir una “C” para indicar
recuento (count), es decir, WBCC (y también RBCC)
Veterinary profession
CPD continuing professional development
RSPCA Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty in Animals
RCVS Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
MRCVS member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
DVM Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. Es la denominación oficial que se da en Reino Unido a un veterinario graduado en España.
Potpourri
Abs/Abx antibiotic(s)
ACTH adrenocorticotropic hormone
DIC disseminated intravascular coagulation
KCS keratoconjunctivitis sicca
DM diabetes mellitus
IU international units
NSAID(s) nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug(s)