aka = also known as
ASAP = as soon as possible
BC, b/c = because
BF = boyfriend
BFF = best female friend
BFF = best friends forever
BG = background
BIL = brother in law
BOT = back on topic
brb = be right back
BTW = by the way, between
Bump = post in a thread to keep it on the first page or near beginning of
section
CUL = see you later
cuz = because
DD = darling/dear daughter
DD = dearly departed
DF = darling/dear fiancé / fiancée
DH = darling/dear husband
DIL = daughter in law
DOA = dead on arrival (for posts that are beating a dead horse)
DW = darling/dear wife, don’t worry, dog world; dastardly whelp
ETA = edited to add
FAWC = for anyone who cares
FIL = father in law
fka = formerly known as
Flame = posts that are very rude and often personal attacks
FLK = funny looking kid
FLKGLM = funny looking kid, good looking mom
FUBAR, FUBARRED = fouled up beyond all repair
FWIW = for what it’s worth
GF = girlfriend
GMTA = great minds think alike
Hijack = change thread’s topic; OT posts within a thread
HTH = hope this helps
IAF = in a few
IIRC = if I recall correctly
IMO = in my opinion
IMHO = in my humble opinion, in my honest opinion
impt = important
IOW = in other words
JAT = just a thought
JMO = just my opinion
KISS = keep it simple stupid
KIT = keep in touch
KWIM = Know what I mean?
LMAO = laughing my butt off
LOBNH = lights on but nobody home
LOL = laughing out loud
Lurk = read board w/o logging on; read board w/o posting
LY-MI = Love ya – mean it
M2C = my two cents
MIL = mother in law
min = minute
msg = message
MYOB = mind your own business
NOYB = none of your business
NP = no problem
OCD = obsessive compulsive disorder
OH = other half
OIC = oh I see
OMG = oh my gosh; oh my god
OP = original poster, original post
OT = off-topic
OTOH = on the other hand
PCS = Permanent Change of Station (military)
PITB, PITA = pain in the butt
pls = please
PM = private message
POV = point of view
PPL = people
prob = problem
R = are
ROFL, ROTFL = rolling on the floor laughing
ROFLMAO = rolling on the floor laughing my butt off
SNAFU = situation normal, all fouled up
Snark, snarky = sarcastic; passive/aggressive sarcasm
SO = significant other/partner
Ta Ta = bye or thank you
THX = thanks
TIA = thanks in advance
TITTP = tell it to the paw; take it to the paw
TMI = too much information
TMW = tomorrow
Troll = person who posts phony (usually hot-topic) threads or replies to lure
board response
TTC = trying to conceive
TTTP = talk to the paw
TTYL = talk to you later
TTYT = talk to you tomorrow
TY = thank you
TYIA = thank you in advance
TYVM = thank you very much
U = you
UBI = unexplained beer injury
UR = your
URS = yours
WADR = with all due respect
WTG = way to go
Dog Types/Breeds
APBT = American Pit Bull Terrier
BC = Border Collie
Berner = Bernese Mountain Dog
Brillo butt, CBR, Chessie= Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Dudley = yellow lab w/ chocolate pigmentation; yellow lab w/ no pigmentation on
nose or eye rim (appears pink) and green eyes
GSMD = Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, aka Swissy
GSD = German Shepherd Dog
GSP = German Shorthaired Pointer
JRT = Jack Russell Terrier
Swissy = Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, aka GSMD
Dog Awards
AFC = Amateur Field Champion
CFC = Canadian Field Champion
CGC = Canine Good Citizen
CNFC = Canadian National Field Champion
EFC = English Field Champion
FC = Field Champion
NAFC = National Amateur Field Champion
NFC = National Field Champion
For more, see [http://www.lab-retriever.net/board/title-abbreviations-list-t7327960.html]
Dog Organizations
ADBA = American Dog Breeders Association. Registry of
American Pit Bull Terriers; begun in 1909 as association exclusively for
breeders of American Pit Bull Terriers [www.adba.cc]
ADBSI = American Dog Breeders Show, Inc. Sanctions local ADBA clubs; resource
for information on the APBT breed, breed standards, and legislation affecting
APBT; acts an advocate and special interest group
AKC = American Kennel Club [www.akc.org]
AMBOR = American Mixed Breed Obedience Registry [www.ambor.us]
CKC = Canadian Kennel Club [www.ckc.ca]
CKC, CKCUS = Continental Kennel Club, for-profit open registry, sells papers
for dogs/litters even w/ unknown pedigree; used by BYB; has no breed standards
[www.ckcusa.org]
FDSB = Field Dog Stud Book. Oldest PB U.S. dog registry, with records dating
back to 1874; published by the American Field Publishing Company; several
million dogs of all breeds included in registry [www.americanfield.com]
OFA = Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, includes phenotypic evaluation of hips
with seven categories of hip grades [www.offa.org/hipgrade.html]
TDI = Therapy Dog International [www.tdi-dog.org]
UKC = United Kennel Club [www.ukcdogs.com]
UKC or UKI = Universal Kennel Club Int’l, open registry, sells papers for
dogs/litters even w/ unknown pedigree; has no breed standards; used by BYB
[www.universalkennel.com]
Dog Related
3F, FF&F = fight, flight, fornicate (core instincts;
first 2 are responses to acute stress)
4F, FFF&F = fight, flight, food, fornicate (core instincts; first 2 are
responses to acute stress)
AC, ACO = Animal Control, Animal Control Officer
abt = about
B Breeder/Dealer = person with Class B USDA license to raise and sell animals,
including wholesaling dogs (and other animals) to research facilities
BARF = bones and raw food; biologically appropriate raw food/diet
BYB = back yard breeder
DBI = dirt bag index (use any variable to calculate, e.g., number of litters a
BYB has produced; number of missing teeth BYB or other scummy dog-owner has)
DIK = dead/died in kennel; found dead in kennel
DW = don’t want (as in owner surrender of a dog)
FLD = funny looking dog
FLDGLM = funny looking dog, good looking mom
Foster failure = foster home applies to adopt the foster dog (this is a good
kind of failure!)
GL = Gentle Leader dog harness/headcollar
HC = home check prior to approval for fostering or adopting, aka home visit
Hoarder = aka collector. Person who collects more and more
animals while care and conditions deteriorate. Hoarder will not see the
harm he is doing; refuses to allow an animal to be removed or adopted based on
irrational or baseless fear the animal will be hurt/killed; tends to have an
increasing sense of paranoia
ILP = Indefinite Listing Privilege. Allows dogs that are
ineligible for registration to participate in AKC Companion and Performance
Events. To be ILP eligible, a dog must be distinguishable as a member of
an AKC registerable breed. AKC events that dogs enrolled in the ILP program may
be able to participate in include agility trials, obedience trials, tracking
tests, herding tests and trials, earthdog trials, hunt tests, lure coursing,
junior showmanship.
Miller = person operating a puppy mill
NDR = not dog related
NILIF or NILF = nothing in life is free (training technique) [http://www.terrificpets.com/articles/102212265.asp]
OB
= obedience
OS = owner surrender
PB = purebred
POS = parents on site (commonly seen in newspaper ads selling dogs)
PSD = poor squirrel decision (e.g., dead squirrel in the road; one that comes within
dog reach, etc.)
SAR = search and rescue
SDIT = service dog in training
WWCD = What would Cesar do? [Cesar Milan, Dog
Whisperer]
GENERAL HEALTH
ac (ante cibum) = before meals
ACL = anterior cruciate ligament [http://www.veterinaryspecialty.com/ACLTears.aspx]
bid (bis in die) = twice a day
Bloat = see GDV
CBC = complete blood count
CCL = Cranial cruciate ligament rupture; the tearing of an important ligament
in the stifle joint (knee), resulting in partial or complete joint instability,
pain, and lameness. [http://www.animalhealthchannel.com/ccl/index.shtml]
CERF = Canine Eye Registration Foundation
CHD = canine hip dysplasia
CHF = congestive heart failure
DHPP or DA2PP = combination vaccine
for canine distemper (upper respiratory virus that can affect the
central nervous system), adenovirus Type 2 (also known as hepatitis), parainfluenza,
and parvovirus (a severe gastrointestinal virus that is highly fatal to
dogs and puppies if not treated early).
EC = electronic collar
EC = Elizabethan collar, “cone of shame”
ED = elbow dysplasia
EIC = exercise induced collapse
FCP = fragmentation of the coronoid process (type of elbow disease in growing
dogs)
GDV = Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus syndrome, aka bloat. Dog’s stomach
dilates and twists into abnormal position, causing nonproductive retching and
bloated abdomen. Life-threatening condition; death can occur very quickly. GDV
requires immediate emergency treatment.
gt (gutta) = drop
HD = hip dysplasia
hs (hora somni) = at bedtime
HW = heartworm
IM = intramuscular
IV = intravenous
KC = kennel cough, aka tracheobronchitis; often caused by bacteria bordetella
bronchiseptica
MCT = mast cell tumor
npo = nothing by mouth
NSAID = non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug.
OCD = osteochondritis dissecans; more specifically osteochondritis dissecans of
the medial condyle of the humerus (type of elbow disease in growing dogs) or
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.
od (oculus dexter) = right eye
os (oculus sinister) = left eye
OTC = over the counter
pc (post cibum) = after meals
po (per os) = by mouth
prn (pro re nata) = as needed
PRAA = Persistent Right Aortic Arch [http://www.vetsurgerycentral.com/gi_praa.htm]
PTS = put to sleep, euthanasia
q3h (quaque 3 hora) = every 3 hours
qd (quaque die) = every day
qid (quater in die) = 4 times a day
RV = recessed vulva [http://www.lab-retriever.net/board/recessed-vulvas-must-t7337146.html]
SA = separation anxiety
sc, subcue, subq, subque = subcutaneous (beneath the skin)
SD = shoulder dysplasia
SLO = Symmetrical Lupoid Onychodystrophy; thought to be an
autoimmune disease that targets the toe nails, characterized by the complete
loss of the nails.
s/w = shots/wormed (commonly seen in newspaper ads selling dogs)
TEETH = tried everything else, try homeopathy
THR = total hip replacement
tid (ter in die) = 3 times a day
TPLO = Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy [http://www.vetsurgerycentral.com/tplo.htm]
TTA = Tibial Tuberosity Advancement [http://ttasurgery.com/html/faq.html]
UA = urine analysis
UAP = ununited anconeal process (type of elbow disease in growing dogs)
URI = upper respiratory infection
US = ultrasound
UTD = up to date (vaccinations)
UTI = urinary track infection
WBC = white blood count
Diet and Nutrition
ACV = apple cider vinegar
Crancaps = cranberry capsules; used to improve urinary health
Ethoxyquin = an antioxidant used as a food preservative (both human and pet
foods) and a pesticide
OMB = organ meat blend
RMB = raw meaty bone
Pet Foods
BB = Blue Buffalo [http://bluebuffalo.com/]
CN = California Natural [http://www.naturapet.com/]
HK or THK = Honest Kitchen [http://www.thehonestkitchen.com/]
NV = Nature’s Variety [http://www.naturesvariety.com/]
TOTW – Taste of the Wild [http://www.tasteofthewildpetfood.com/]
Shelters and Rescues
CMLRN = Central Michigan Labrador Rescue Network rescue
(Dani)
HOTLR = Heart of Texas Lab Rescue
LOLIN = Love of Labs Indiana rescue (Linda Acup)
LRRoF = Labrador Retriever Rescue of
Florida
LVLR = Las Vegas Labrador Retriever rescue (Mrs. Lisa)
SPARRO = Southwest Pennsylvania Retriever Rescue Organization (Joe Maringo)
STLRR = Southeast Texas Labrador Retriever Rescue
SHELTERS AND EUTHANSIA PRACTICES. Shelters are facilities caring for animals that are lost/found, stray,
abandoned, relinquished, confiscated, etc. Types include city or county
“pounds,” humane societies, sanctuaries. One way to categorize shelters is by
their euthanasia practices, ranging from no-kill to high-kill. A shelter’s
euthanasia practices cannot be determined from just its name, mission
statement, or advertising; instead, questions have to be asked to determine
what the practices are. In addition, assumptions should not be made that a
no-kill is a wonderful shelter or that high-kill is a terrible place run by
people who do not care about animals. The following are examples of topics to
consider when examining a shelter’s euthanasia practices.
“No-kills” could have policies where no animal is ever put down, no matter how
much it is suffering; these shelters prefer that nature run its course and that
death occur “naturally.” It is doubtful many no-kill shelters simply watch an
animal suffer. Instead, most either do not accept a terminally ill, suffering
animal, or authorize humane euthanasia. Some no-kill shelters simply do not
kill any animal on site; instead, they will send an animal to another facility
for euthanasia. In the world of no-kill, this practice might be acceptable and
the shelter still legitimately considered “no-kill” if the only animals sent
off for euthanasia are ones that have been in the shelter’s care for some time,
but are now suffering considerably and no longer have quality of life. No-kill shelters
sometimes become the staging ground for hoarders/collectors; animals are
accepted despite lack of resources; the shelter’s adoption rate drops, quality
of care erodes. Many no-kills are well run and do tremendous good. Unlike other
shelters, most no-kills can and do refuse animals; they take only (or mostly
only) those animals that they think they can eventually adopt out or otherwise
permanently place. In doing this, the no-kill might buy a special animal the
extra time it needs to find the right home.
High-kill shelters will exist so long as there are homeless animals, people who
abuse or neglect their animals, puppy mills, backyard breeders, people who fail
to alter their pets or prevent them from running at large unaltered; and
anything else contributing to animal overpopulation. A high-kill shelter faces
harsh realities. It might be open to the public or in some way obligated to
take any animal brought to it; this can result in hundreds of animals coming in
on a weekly and even daily basis. Some of these hundreds will be too old, too
young, too sick, too injured, too-something to make adoption a reasonable
possibility. Some high-kills have very limited resources; they have no ability
to keep large numbers of animals for very long. Euthanasia becomes a necessity;
sadly this will include healthy, adoptable labs that no home, no rescue, no
foster, no shelter has room to take.