As we transition to a new data base, you will be unable to make any purchases, register for events (except register for the CAVMRC Online Training), access your account, or join the CVMA online from October 13 to November 9, 2025. For assistance, please email staff@cvma.net or call the office at 800.655.2862. We apologize for the inconvenience.
AABP – American Association of Bovine Practitioners
AAEP – American Association of Equine Practitioners
AAFP – American Association of Feline Practitioners
AAHA – American Animal Hospital Association
AARV – American Association of Rehabilitation Veterinarians
AASP – American Association of Swine Practitioners
AAVC – American Association of Veterinary Clinicians
AAVMC – Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges
AAVSB – American Association of Veterinary State Boards
AAWA – Association for Animal Welfare Advancement
ABVP – American Board of Veterinary Practitioners
ABVS – American Board of Veterinary Specialists (part of AVMA)
ABVT – American Board of Veterinary Toxicology
ACAW – American College of Animal Welfare
ACLAM – American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine
ACVP – American College of Poultry Veterinarians
ACT – American College of Theriogenologists
ACVAA – American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia
ACVB – American College of Veterinary Behaviorists
ACVCP – American College of Veterinary Clinical Pharmacology
ACVD – American College of Veterinary Dermatology
ACVECC – American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care
ACVIM – American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine
ACVM – American College of Veterinary Microbiologists
ACVN – American College of Veterinary Nutrition
ACVO – American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists
ACVP – American College of Veterinary Pathologists
ACVPM – American College of Veterinary Preventative Medicine
ACVR – American College of Veterinary Radiology
ACVS – American College of Veterinary Surgeons
ACVSMR – American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation
ACZM – American College of Zoological Medicine
AKC – American Kennel Club
APHIS – Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (part of USDA)
AVDC – American Veterinary Dental College
AVMA – American Veterinary Medical Association
AVMF – American Veterinary Medical Foundation
CAHFS – California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System, UC Davis
CAVMRC – California Veterinary Medical Reserve Corps
CAWA – California Animal Welfare Association (CalAnimals)
CCT – Clinical Competency Test
CDC – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
CDFA – California Department of Food and Agriculture
CDFG – California Department of Fish and Game
CEAH – Centers for Epidemiology and Animal Health (part of USDA APHIS)
CESQG – Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generator
CHRB – California Horse Racing Board
CPE – Clinical Proficiency Exam
CSB – California State Board
CVA – Certified Veterinary Assistant
CVDLS – California Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory System
CVMA – California Veterinary Medical Association
CVMB – California Veterinary Medical Board
CVMF – California Veterinary Medical Foundation
CVPM – Certified Veterinary Practice Manager
CVT – Certified Veterinary Technician
DACVIM – Diplomate of the American College Veterinary Internal Medicine (or other veterinary specialties)
DCA – Department of Consumer Affairs
DEA – Drug Enforcement Agency
DHS – Department of Health Services
DOSH – Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA)
DTSC – Department of Toxic Substance Control (part of EPA)
DVM – Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
ECFVG – Education Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates
ECVIM – European College of Veterinary Internal Medicine
ECVS – European College of Veterinary Surgeons
EPA – Environmental Protection Agency
FARAD – Food Animal Residue Avoidance Databank
FDA – Food and Drug Administration
HSUS – Humane Society of the United States
ICVA – International Council for Veterinary Assessment (formerly the NBVME)
IIPP – Injury and Illness Prevention Program
JAAHA – Journel of the American Animal Hospital Association
JAVMA – Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
LVMT – Licensed Veterinary Medical Technician
LVT – Licensed Veterinary Technician
MPH – Master of Public Health
MSDS – Material Safety Data Sheets
NAHMS – National Animal Health Monitoring Systems (part of USDA APHIS)
NASPHV – National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians
NAVLE – North American Veterinary Licensing Examination
NBEC – National Board Examination Committee
OSHA – Occupational Safety and Health Administration
OSPR – Oil Spill Prevention and Response (part of CDFG)
PBL – Problem-based Learning
PETA – People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
PLIT – Professional Liability Insurance Trust (through AVMA)
RCVS – Royal Collegge of Veterinary Surgeons
RVT – Registered Veterinary Technician
RVTC – Registered Veterinary Technician Committee
SAVMA – Student American Veterinary Medical Association
SIC – Standard Industry Classification
SPCA – Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
USDA – United States Food and Drug Administration
USP – U.S. Pharmacopeia
VACSP – Veterinary Assistant Controlled Substances Permit
VHMA – Veterinary Hospital Managers Association
VIRMP – Veterinary Internship and Residency Matching Program
VISC – Veterinary Insurance Services Company (through the CVMA)
VMD – Veterinary Medical Doctor, Veterinariae Medicinae Doctors
VMTH – Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, UC Davis
WVA – World Veterinary Association
AC – Before a meal, from Latin ante cibum
AD – Right ear, from Latin auris dexter
ADR – Ain’t Doing Right
AS – Left ear, from Latin auris sinister
AU – Both ears, from Latin auris uterque
BAR – Bright, Alert, Responsive
BARH – Bright, Alert, Responsive, Hydrated
BCS – Body Condition Score
BID – Twice a day, from Latin bis in die
BP – Blood Pressure
BPM – Beats Per Minute
BW – Body Weight
Bx – Biopsy
CBC – Complete Blood Count
CCMS – Clean Catch Midstream
CM – Castrated Male
CRT – Capillary Refill Time
D/C – Discontinue
DV – Dorsal-Ventral
Dx – Diagnosis
ECG/EKG – Electrocardiogram
EEG – Electroencephalogram
EENT – Eyes, Ears Nose, Throat
EOD – Every Other Day
F/S – Spayed Female
FNA – Fine Needle Aspirate
Fx – Fracture
GI – Gastrointestinal
HBD – Hit By Car
HR – Heart Rate
HCT – Hematocrit
Hx – History
ID – Intradermal
IM – Intramuscular
IN – Intranasal
IP – Intraperitoneal
IV – Intravenous
KBH – Kicked By Horse
MM – Mucous Membranes
M/N – Neutered Male
NDR – Not Doing Right
NPO – Nothing by mouth, from Latin per os
NSF – No Significant Findings
OD – Right eye, from Latin oculus dexter
OS – Left eye, from Latin oculus sinister
OU – Both eyes, from Latin oculus uterque
PCV – Packed Cell Volume
PE – Physical Exam
PLN – Peripheral Lymph Nodes
PO – By mouth, from Latin per os
PST – Put to Sleep
PRN – As needed, from Latin pro re nata
PU/PD – Polyuria/Polydipsia
q36hrs – Every 36 hours (or other time frame)
QAR – Quiet, Alert, Responsive
QARH – Quiet, Alert, Responsive, Hydrated
QD – Once a day, from Latin quaque die (SID preferred in vet med)
QID – Four times a day, from Latin quarter in die
QOD – Every other day, from Latin quaque altra die (EOD preferred in vet med)
QOL – Quality Of Life
ROM – Range Of Motion
RR – Respiratory Rate
Rx – Prescription
S/R – Suture Removal
SG – Specific Gravity
SID – Once a day, from Latin semel in die
SOAP – Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan
SQ/SC – Subcutaneously
STAT – Immediately, from Latin statim
Sx – Surgery
TID – Three times a day, from Latin ter in die
TPR – Temperature, Pulse, Respiration
Tx – Treatment
UA – Urinalysis
URI – Upper Respiratory Infection
UTI – Urinary Tract Infection
VD – Ventral-Dorsal
WNL – Within Normal Limits
x7d – For 7 days (or other time frame)
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