Okuzeka
Veterinary Medicine vocabulary · Clinical Examination

Clinical sign

Meaning in veterinary medicine, with examples

/ˈklɪnɪkəl saɪn/nounCore term

In veterinary medicine, clinical sign means: Something abnormal that a vet or owner can see, hear, feel or measure in an animal, such as a cough, a limp, a fever or weight loss.

In Turkish: klinik bulgu, klinik belirti

How it is used

Veterinary texts prefer signs to symptoms, because animals cannot describe how they feel. Typical phrases: the dog presented with clinical signs of..., signs consistent with..., the signs resolved after treatment.

Example sentences

  1. Clinical signs of parvovirus usually include vomiting, bloody diarrhoea and lethargy.

  2. Call us if the clinical signs come back after the course of tablets.

Common collocations

  • show clinical signs
  • present with clinical signs
  • mild clinical signs
  • clinical signs resolve
  • signs consistent with
  • historyThe information a vet collects from the owner about an animal's past and current health: when the problem started, diet, vaccinations, medicines and any changes the owner has noticed.
  • diagnosisThe identification of the disease or problem that is causing an animal's clinical signs, based on the history, the examination and test results.
  • lamenessAn abnormal way of walking or standing caused by pain or a problem in a leg or foot. An animal with this problem is described as lame.
  • vomitingForcefully bringing up the contents of the stomach through the mouth. The technical word is emesis.

More terms: Clinical Examination

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not medical advice.