The Savvy VetTech

A Salter-Harris fracture involves fractures of the growth plate. These fractures are specifically seen in young, growing animals. The growth plate fractures because it’s the weakest part of the bone. If fractured, surgery needs to be done as soon as possible, after the injury occurs. Veterinary surgeons use the Salter-Harris system to categorize these fractures into grades or types.

Did you know portosystemic shunts are defined as "vessels that allow normal portal blood draining from the stomach, intestines, pancreas and spleen to pass directly into the systemic circulation without first passing through the liver"(Fossum and Duprey 2002).

Eyes and Ear…O for ocular and A for auricular.

Did you know horses have hypsodont, or high-crowned teeth, that continue to erupt throughout their life. This is why they have to have their teeth filed, or "floated."

Do you know the genioglossus is the largest muscle of the tongue? There are different actions of the genioglossus. The posterior part extends the tongue, the middle part depresses the tongue, and the anterior part retracts the tip of the tongue.

Virtually all bones are susceptible to fracturing whether you are a human or an animal- we all break!  The most common long bones that are prone to fracturing are the humerus, radius, femur and tibia.

Veterinary surgeons categorize these fractures into different categories: Closed (simple), Open (compound), comminuted fracture, epiphyseal (growth plate), greenstick (hairline), or pathologic fracture.

Did you know a Schirmer's tear test is used to diagnosis keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), otherwise known as "dry eye". The test measures the amount of wetness on the eye and can be used to measure tear values.

Did you know that Oxyuris equi is the equine "pinworm"?

Did you know the scientific name of the domestic ferret is Mustela putorius furo, which translates into “stinky weasel thief"?

Did you know enucleation is defined as the removal of the globe, nictitating membrane, eyelids and conjunctiva (depending on the technique). It is the most common orbital surgical procedure performed by veterinary ophthalmologists and veterinarians.

Did you know that piglets are born with "needle teeth" which are deciduous third incisors and canines? They are clipped off within hours of birth.

Why is it important to know Anatomical and Directional terminology in veterinary medicine?