Vaccine Titer
A test that measures a pet’s immunity level instead of automatically revaccinating.
Valvular Disease
A heart condition is found in some older pets, especially dogs.
Variegated Coat
A fur pattern with different shades or streaks of colour.
Varroa Mite
A parasite that affects honeybee colonies, which some pet owners keep.
Vascular Ring Anomaly
A congenital condition that affects a pet’s esophagus, causing difficulty swallowing.
Vasectomy
A less standard sterilization procedure for male pets instead of neutering.
Vasodilation
The widening of blood vessels in pets is often a response to heat or exercise.
Velcro Dog
It is a term for dogs that are overly clingy and love staying close to their owners.
Vent
The external opening for waste and reproduction in birds and reptiles.
Ventral
Refers to the underside of an animal, often used in vet anatomy.
Ventral Midline Incision
A surgical cut along an animal’s belly is commonly used in spay/neuter procedures.
Ventral Scales
The scales are found on the underside of reptiles, aiding in movement and grip.
Vermifuge
A substance that helps expel parasitic worms from pets.
Vesicle
A small fluid-filled bump or blister on an animal’s skin.
Vespertine Behaviour
A term for pets that are most active at dusk (like some cats and rodents).
Vestibular Disease
A condition affecting a pet’s balance is common in older dogs.
Vestigial Dewclaw
An extra, often unused claw found on some dog breeds.
Vestigial Tail
A tiny, often non-functional tail remnant found in some dog breeds.
Vibrational Communication
How some exotic pets (like reptiles or rodents) communicate through body vibrations.
Vibrio
A bacteria that can infect marine animals is often found in aquariums.
Vibrissae
The scientific term for a pet’s whiskers, which help with sensory perception.
Vitiligo
A rare skin condition causing loss of pigment in patches on a pet’s fur.
Vitreous Humour
The clear gel inside a pet’s eye helps maintain its shape.
Vivarium
An enclosure for keeping reptiles, amphibians, or small pets in controlled conditions.
Volhard Test
Breeders and trainers use a puppy temperament test.
Voluntary Blink Rate
A measure of a pet’s comfort level is often studied in rabbits and dogs.
Vomer Bone
A small bone in a pet’s skull that helps with scent detection.
Vomeronasal Organ
A sensory organ in some pets (like cats and dogs) is used to detect pheromones.
Vomeronasal Reflex
This behaviour is seen in pets when they curl their lips to detect scents (like the Flehmen response in cats).
Vulpine
Relating to foxes, it is sometimes used to describe fox-like dogs.