Angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, Anemia, Veterinary Clinics, Diagnoses, Terms and Drug Handbook Online

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Angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibitor

Drug which decreases the function of this particular enzyme. The angiotensin-converting-enzyme changes a compound called angiotensin I to angiotensin II. Angiotensin II is a potent blood vessel constrictor. ACE inhibitors, then, have the effect of dilating blood vessels since less Angiotensin II is... ↪ Read more

Anemia

A condition in which the number of red blood cells present in the blood is lower than normal. Anemia is a decrease in PCV or hemoglobin resulting in decreased oxygen carrying capacity of the blood. A low red blood cell count.... ↪ Read more

Androgen

hormone which produces male sexual characteristics, e.g., testosterone... ↪ Read more

Anaphylaxis, Anaphylactic shock, Anaphylactoid

Anaphylaxis is a rare, life-threatening, immediate allergic reaction to something ingested or injected. If untreated, it results in shock, respiratory and cardiac failure, and death.... ↪ Read more

Anamnestic response

The body's more rapid hummoral immunity response when it is infected with a pathogen it has encounted before. The memory of immune cells which allows for more rapid and intense production of antibodt the second time a host animal sees an antgen. Also called a secondary immune response.... ↪ Read more

Analgesia

Pain relief. Refers to the absence of pain in the presence of stimuli that would be expected to be painful. In clinical practice we use the term analgesia to mean a reduction in pain.... ↪ Read more

Anaerobic bacteria

Bacteria which only live in an environment in which there is no or little oxygen, e.g. Clostridium tetani which causes tetanus. A bacteria that grows only when oxygen is not present.... ↪ Read more

Anabolic steroid

A type of steroid (not a corticosteroid like prednisone, cortisone, or dexamethasone) which promotes the building of tissues, like muscle.... ↪ Read more

Amylase

Digestive enzyme, produced by the pancreas which breaks down carbohydrates and starches. An enzyme produced by the pancreas that contributes to digestion of food. Lack of amylase results in a large amount of greasy stool being passed.... ↪ Read more

Aminoglycoside

A class of antibiotics which act by interfering with bacterial protein synthesis within the bacteria which results in the death of the bacteria. Antibiotics in this class include gentamicin (Gentocin), kanamycin, neomycin, streptomycin, tobramycin, and amikacin. Many of these antibiotics are not... ↪ Read more

Allergen

Substance that causes an allergic reaction, e.g., pollen. Any inanimate or living object that creates an allergic reaction in an animal.... ↪ Read more