Dictionary

feline immunodeficiency virus: A fatal immune system disease that affects cats.

feline leukemia: A contagious and deadly viral disease that causes cancer in cats.

feline viral rhinotracheitis: A feline upper respiratory disease.

flu shot: A vaccination administered each year during flu season (from October through March) to prevent influenza. Those at a particularly high risk of suffering from serious physical complications from the flu (namely the elderly, infants, those with autoimmune diseases and pregnant women) should consider getting the flu shot.

German measles: A highly contagious viral disease that causes rashes and fever. Although the German measles aren't as severe as the regular measles, they can be especially harmful to the fetus, should a pregnant women contract the German measles.

Haemophilus influenza type B: Also known as Hib, this bacterial infection targets the respiratory tract, causing pneumonia and meningitis if left untreated. Although it tends to affect children under five years old, vaccinations that ward off this disease are available for children.

heartworm: A parasitic worm spread by mosquitoes that gravitates to the heart in dogs.

hepatitis B: A potentially fatal viral disease that targets the liver, causing jaundice, fever, fatigue and increased levels of liver enzymes. Hepatitis B can be spread from mother to fetus or through the exchange of bodily fluids (i.e., semen, blood, saliva, etc.). If left untreated, hepatitis B can lead to liver cancer or cirrhosis.

immune system: The body's natural defense system that produces antibodies to prevent infection and disease.

immunization: A procedure that triggers the immune system to produce antibodies for a specific disease so that a person is less susceptible to contracting it. To immunize a person against a disease, doctors administer vaccines with a diluted strain of a particular disease to stimulate the body to produce the necessary antibodies to fight that disease.

immunocompromised: Describes immune systems that are unable to effectively fight disease due to age, drug use or the presence of some other condition, such as HIV.

immunoglobulin: Another term for antibody, the disease- and infection-fighting proteins produced by the white blood cells.

influenza: Also called the flu, influenza is a highly contagious viral disease that affects the respiratory system, causing fever, sore throat and congestion. The elderly, young, pregnant women and those with autoimmune diseases are especially susceptible to contracting the flu.

injection: The administration of medication or a vaccine through a hypodermic needle.