Veterinary Terms I

Idiopathic - A disease of unknown cause.

Immunisation - The process of protecting an animal against a certain disease - vaccination is the normal way to achieve this.

Immunodeficiency - Reduced function of the immune system in an animal, making it more susceptible to infectious disease.

Intermediate Host - Used in the term of the life cycle of some parasites. The immature form of the parasite must pass through a different type of host, such as an animal, which is then termed as the intermediate host, before it can re-enter and infect the type of animal it came from. An example as ia a heartworm.

Intramuscular - Into the muscle.

Intubation - Placing a tube into the trachea to facilitate breathing whilst under anaesthetic.