Veterinary Terms E

Ear Mites - Small parasitic insects that live in the ears of animals - they can only survive outside the ear for very short periods of time.

E. coli - A bacterium present in the intestines, which may become pathogenic.

Ectoparasite - Parasite that lives on the outside surface or skin of an animal. It includes fleas, ticks, lice, and mange mites.

Embolism - A plug, usually a blood clot, blocking a blood vessel.

Emaciation - Excessive thinness or wasting.

Endoscope - A device with a light attached, used to look inside a body cavity or organ.

Enteral feeding - Method to feed an animal with a liquid by placing a tube through the body wall into the intestine.

Enterotomy - An operation cutting into the intestines.

Estrus - Time when a female animal is fertile and receptive to the male. More commonly known as a 'heat' period.

Exotic - Animal not native to the area where it is living.