What Do Those Veterinary Abbreviations Mean?

An A-Z Guide to Veterinary Abbreviations

If you have ever tried to read your dog or cat’s medical report, you’ve likely encountered a veritable alphabet soup of abbreviations. What do all those letters mean?

Here’s a list of abbreviations your veterinarian uses, from A to Z.

• Abc Or Abx – antibiotic(s)
• Abd – abdomen
• Ac – before meals
• ACT – activated clotting time
• ACTH – adrenocorticotropic hormone
• AD – right ear
• ADH – antidiuretic hormone, Vasopressin
• Ad Lib – as desired
• ADR – ain’t doing right
• AF – atrial fibrillation
• AG – albumin/globulin ratio
• AI – artificial insemination
• AIHA – autoimmune hemolytic anemia
• Alb – albumin
• ALKP – alkaline phosphatase
• ALT – alanine aminotransferase
• ANS – autonomic nervous system
• AP – anterior posterior
• APC – atrial premature contraction
• ARF – acute renal failure
• AS – left ear/aortic stenosis
• AST – aspartate aminotransferase
• ATE – aortic thromboembolism
• AU – both ears
• AV – atrioventricular
• Ba – barium
• BARH – bright, alert, responsive, and hydrated
• BAR – bright, alert, and responsive
• BBB – blood brain barrier
• BD/LD – big dog/little dog
• BID – twice per day
• BM – bowel movement
• BP – blood pressure
• BPH – benign prostatic hypertrophy
• BT – bleeding time
• BUN – blood urea nitrogen
• Bx – biopsy
• C. – with
• C – Celsius
• C1, C2 – first cervical vertebra, second cervical vertebra
• Cal – calorie(s)
• Cap – capsule
• CBC – complete blood count
• CC – chief complaint/cubic centimeter
• CD – canine distemper
• Chem – profile, blood profile, chemistry, blood chemistry, diagnostic profile
• CHF – congestive heart failure
• CK – creatine kinase
• Cm – centimeter
• CNS – central nervous system
• CO – carbon monoxide
• CO2 – carbon dioxide
• Code/Code Blue – emergency help
• COPD – chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• COR – care of remains
• CPCR – cardiopulmonary cerebral resuscitation
• CPK – creatine phosphokinase
• CPR – cardiopulmonary resuscitation
• CPV – canine parvovirus
• Creat – creatinine
• CRF – chronic renal failure
• CRI – constant rate infusion
• CSF – cerebrospinal fluid
• CSVD – coughing, sneezing, vomiting, diarrhea
• CT Scan – computed tomography
• CV – cardiovascular
• CVA – cerebral vascular accident
• CVI – cervical vertebral instability
• CVT – certified veterinary technician
• CXR – chest X-ray (radiograph)
• D – diarrhea
• D/C – discontinue
• DCM – dilated cardiomyopathy
• DDD – degenerative disc disease
• DDX – differential diagnosis
• Derm – dermatology
• DFW – dog fight wounds
• DI – diabetes insipidus
• DIC – disseminated intravascular coagulation
• Diff – differential count
• Dig – digoxin
• DJD – degenerative joint disease
• DLH – domestic long-haired cat
• DM – diabetes mellitus
• DMH – domestic medium-haired cat
• DNA – deoxyribonucleic acid
• DPL – diagnostic peritoneal lavage
• DSH – domestic short-haired cat
• Dx – diagnosis
• ECG or EKG – electrocardiogram
• EEG – electroencephalogram
• EENT – eyes, ears, nose, and throat
• ELISA – enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
• EMG – electromyogram
• EOD – every other day
• Eos – eosinophil
• ED – every day
• EMD – electromechanical dissociation
• F – Fahrenheit
• FA – fluorescent antibody
• FAD – flea allergy dermatitis
• FBS – fasting blood sugar
• FDA – Food And Drug Administration
• Fel – feline
• Felv – feline leukemia virus
• FHA – femoral head and neck osteotomy
• FIA – feline infectious anemia
• FIP – feline infectious peritonitis
• FIV – feline immunodeficiency virus
• Fl – fluid
• FLUTD – feline lower urinary tract disease
• FNA – fine needle aspirate
• FORL – feline odontoclastic resorptive lesion
• FSH – follicle-stimulating hormone
• FU – follow-up in reference to next lab procedure, re-evaluation, etc.
• FUS – feline urologic syndrome
• Fx – fracture
• G or Gm – gram
• Gal – gallon(s)
• GDV – gastric dilatation volvulus
• GFR – glomerular filtration rate
• GH – growth hormone
• GI – gastrointestinal
• Glu – glucose
• Gr – grain
• GSD – German Shepherd dog
• Gtt – drops
• H. – hour
• Hb – hemoglobin
• HBC – hit by car
• HCM – hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
• HCT – hematocrit
• HD – hip dysplasia
• HDDST – high dose dexamethasone suppression test
• Hg – mercury
• HGE – hemorrhagic gastroenteritis
• H/L – heart and lungs
• HOD – hypertrophic osteodystrophy
• HR – heart rate
• Hs – bedtime
• HSA – hemangiosarcoma
• HW – heartworm
• Hx – history
• H2O2 – hydrogen peroxide
• ICU – intensive care unit
• IC – intracardiac
• ID – intradermal
• IFA – indirect fluorescent antibody
• Ig – immunoglobulin
• IM – intramuscular
• IMHA – immune-mediated hemolytic anemia
• Inj – injection
• IO – intraosseous
• IOP – intraocular pressure
• IP – intraperitoneal
• IPPV – intermittent positive pressure ventilation
• ITP – immune-mediated thrombocytopenia
• IU – international units
• IV – intravenous
• IVDD – intervertebral disk disease
• IVP – intravenous pyelogram
• K9 – canine
• K – potassium
• KBr – potassium bromide
• Kcal – kilocalorie(s)
• KCS – keratoconjunctivitis sicca
• Kg – kilogram(s)
• L – liter(s)
• L1, L2 – first, second lumbar vertebra
• LA – left atrium
• Lat – lateral
• Lb. – pound
• LDDST – low-dose dexamethasone suppression test
• LH – luteinizing hormone
• LN – lymph node(s)
• LRS – lactated ringers solution
• LSA – lymphosarcoma
• LV – left ventricle
• LVT – licensed veterinary technician
• Lymphs – lymphocytes
• Mg – milligram
• MI – mitral insufficiency (commonly used for myocardial infarction in humans)
• Ml – milliliter
• MM – mucous membranes
• MR – mitral regurgitation
• MRI – magnetic resonance imaging
• MS – musculoskeletal
• Na – sodium
• NAF – no abnormal findings
• NPO – *nil per os (*no food or water by mouth)
• NSA – normal sinus arrhythmia
• NSF – no significant findings
• NSR – normal sinus rhythm
• NSU – no significant change from last exam
• NVL – no visible lesions
• O – owner
• O2 – oxygen
• OD – right eye
• OES – Old English Sheepdog
• OFA – Orthopedic Foundation For Animals
• OHE – ovariohysterectomy
• OR – operating room
• OS – left eye
• OSI – owner stopped in
• OU – both eyes
• OV – office visit
• Oz – ounce
• Path – pathology
• P.C. – after meals
• PCFO – phone call from owner
• PCTO – phone call to owner
• PCV – packed cell volume
• PDA – patent ductus arteriosus
• PE – physical examination/pulmonary edema
• PEA – pulseless electrical activity (previously EMD)
• Pl Eff – pleural effusion
• PLN – peripheral lymph nodes
• Plt – platelet
• PO – per os/by mouth
• PPM – persistent papillary membrane
• PPMSH – past pertinent medical and surgical history
• PPN – partial parenteral nutrition
• PRAA – persistent right aortic arch
• PRBC – packed red blood cells
• PRN – as needed
• PT – prothrombin time
• PTH – parathyroid hormone
• PTT – partial thromboplastin time
• PU/PD – polyuric/polydypsic
• PVC – premature ventricular contraction
• Px – prognosis
• Q – every
• Q4h – every 4 hours
• QAR – quiet, alert, responsive
• QD – every day
• QID – four times daily
• QOD – every other day
• RA – right atrium
• R & A – resection and anastomosis
• RACL – ruptured anterior cruciate ligament
• RBC – red blood cell
• RDVM – referring veterinary colleague
• REM – rapid eye movement
• RMSF – Rocky mountain spotted fever
• R/O – rule out
• RT – radiation therapy
• RV – right ventricle
• RVN – registered veterinary nurse
• RVT – registered veterinary technician
• Rx – prescription
• S. – without
• SA – sinus arrhythmia
• SC – subcutaneously
• SID – once per day
• SLE – systemic lupus erythematosus
• Sig: – directions to patient
• SOAP – signalment, objective, assessment, plan
• SQ – subcutaneously
• Staph – staphylococcus
• Stat – immediately
• SX – surgery
• Sz – seizure
• T – temperature
• Tab – tablet
• Tbsp – tablespoon (15 ml)
• TID – three times per day
• Top – topically
• TP – total protein
• TPN – total parenteral nutrition
• TPR – temp, pulse, respiratory rate
• Tsp. – teaspoon (5 ml)
• Tx – treatment
• U – units/urine
• UA – urinalysis
• UGI – upper gastrointestinal
• URI – upper respiratory infection
• URV – upper respiratory virus
• US – ultrasound
• UTI – urinary tract infection
• UO – urinary obstruction
• V – vomiting
• VA – veterinary assistant
• VD – ventrodorsal
• V/D – vomiting/diarrhea
• VPC – ventricular premature contraction
• VWD – von Willebrand’s disease
• WBC – white blood cell
• WNL – within normal limits
• Wt – weight
• X-Ray – radiograph (C-X-ray = chest X-ray; Abd X-ray = abdominal X-ray)

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