Surgical Abbreviation Dictionary — Essential Abbreviations for Pet Owners

ImmunityQ&AMeongsiljang Veterinary Advisory Board

We’ve broken down common surgical abbreviations found in consent forms and medical charts into easy-to-understand language for pet owners. You can quickly review terms related to orthopedic, soft tissue, and spay/neuter surgeries all in one place.

What Are Surgical Abbreviations?

A scene in which a veterinarian explains the surgical consent form to the pet owner.

Surgical abbreviations are medical terms shortened to English initials so veterinarians can quickly document them in medical charts or surgical consent forms. While you don’t need to memorize them, it’s important to understand which procedure each abbreviation represents before signing the consent form. Knowing just the five most common abbreviations (TPLO, TTA, FHO, OHE, and SOAS) will help you avoid confusion during your visit. In this article, we’ll organize them by body part and purpose.

Why Are Abbreviations Used?

Veterinary medical charts often use abbreviations because they need to record a lot of information in a short time. Writing out "Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy" every time would make the chart too long. Also, since many international veterinary textbooks are written in English, abbreviations are frequently used in their original English form. If you see an abbreviation on a consent form, don't hesitate to ask, "What kind of surgery is this?" It's a perfectly normal question, and a good veterinary clinic will gladly explain it to you in detail.

Orthopedic Surgery Abbreviations

Item	Korean Meaning	In which cases?
TPLO	Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy	Cruciate ligament rupture
TTA	Tibial Tuberosity Advancement	Cruciate ligament rupture
FHO	Femoral Head Ostectomy	Hip dislocation and necrosis
THR	Total Hip Replacement	Severe hip dysplasia
MPL surgery	Patellar luxation correction surgery	When the patella luxates frequently
ACL/CCL surgery	Cranial (anterior) cruciate ligament surgery	When the dog can't bear weight on the hind leg

Abbreviations may be written slightly differently from clinic to clinic.

Soft Tissue and Abdominal Surgery Abbreviations

These abbreviations relate to the organs, skin, and digestive system. - OHE: Ovariohysterectomy (spaying) - OVE: Ovariectomy, a spaying method that removes only the ovaries. - GDV surgery: Emergency surgery for gastric dilatation-volvulus (stomach bloat and torsion), which is essential for owners of large-breed dogs to know about. - PSS: Portosystemic shunt (hepatic bypass vessel) corrective surgery. - Splenectomy: Splenectomy, which frequently appears when a splenic tumor is diagnosed. If you encounter unfamiliar abbreviations on a consent form, start by asking, "Which body part does this surgery involve?"

An illustration showing the location of a dog's abdominal organs

Avoiding Confusion with Spay/Neuter Abbreviations

The abbreviation pet owners encounter most often is the one for spaying and neutering. - OHE (Ovariohysterectomy): Removal of both the ovaries and the uterus; this is the standard method in veterinary clinics in Korea. - OVE (Ovariectomy): Removal of the ovaries only; this is a common method in Europe. - Castration / Neuter: Surgical removal of the testicles in male animals. - SOAS / Lap-spay: Spaying performed via laparoscopy (through small incisions). Since recovery time and pain levels can vary, it’s a good idea to ask your vet which method they use.

Check These Before Signing the Consent Form

Signing a surgical consent form filled with abbreviations without understanding the details means you’re agreeing to a procedure you don’t fully comprehend. If the Korean explanations aren’t provided next to the abbreviations, make sure to receive a verbal explanation of ① the specific surgery, ② the anesthesia method, ③ the expected recovery period, and ④ potential complications before signing. This is especially important for major surgeries requiring general anesthesia, such as an ovariohysterectomy (OHE), where understanding the anesthesia method and associated risks is crucial. The process of receiving thorough explanations (informed consent) and giving your agreement is not only your rightful responsibility as a pet owner but also a fundamental step in ensuring a safe surgical procedure.

Dental and Oral Surgery Abbreviations

These are common abbreviations you’ll see on dental referral forms. - COHAT: Comprehensive Oral Health Assessment and Treatment under anesthesia, which is the formal name for the procedure we commonly refer to as "scaling." - Ext.: Extraction, meaning the removal of a tooth. - GBR: Guided Bone Regeneration, a bone grafting procedure performed when jawbone reconstruction is needed after tooth extraction. Since anesthesia time and costs vary depending on the specific procedures, be sure to request a detailed explanation of any abbreviations listed on your estimate.

Anesthesia and Medical Care Abbreviations

These abbreviations may appear on the consent form alongside surgical details, even though they don’t refer to the surgery itself. - GA: General anesthesia - LA: Local anesthesia - CRI: Constant rate infusion (a method of slowly administering medication through an IV to manage pain) - NPO: Nil per os (instructions to withhold food and water for a specific period before surgery) - IV: Intravenous - IM: Intramuscular The exact fasting time depends on your pet’s condition and the type of anesthesia used, so please follow your veterinarian’s guidance. These abbreviations are also commonly seen in hospital charts, so being familiar with them can help you better understand your pet’s recovery process.

A puppy sleeping in a recovery cage after surgery

How Pet Owners Can Use Abbreviations

- Step 1: When you receive the consent form and cost estimate, circle any abbreviations you don’t recognize. - Step 2: Ask your veterinarian to explain what those abbreviations mean and clarify the purpose of the surgery. - Step 3: Write down the explanations you receive. Having these notes will help you communicate more quickly with your vet during follow-up visits after recovery. - Step 4: If you need a second opinion, sharing the exact abbreviations with another clinic ensures a smooth referral process. Think of abbreviations not as terms to memorize, but as tools to verify information.

Reviewed by a veterinarian

Dr. Tony — Punnawat Phongkittirak

Veterinarian

A veterinarian who majored in veterinary medicine at Khon Kaen University, Thailand, and completed the IVSA program at North Carolina State University in the United States. Drawing on clinical experience at animal hospitals, he works in the pet healthcare field and is dedicated to building a digital care environment that connects pet parents with veterinarians.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to know all the abbreviations on the consent form before signing it?

No, you don’t need to memorize all the medical abbreviations. It’s perfectly fine to ask for clarification when you come across an unfamiliar term. A good veterinary clinic will take the time to explain things until you fully understand.

Are TPLO and TTA the same surgery?

Both procedures are surgeries to repair a torn cranial cruciate ligament in dogs, but they differ in where and how the bone is cut. Your veterinarian will recommend the most suitable approach based on your dog’s weight, bone structure, and cost considerations.

Do cats use the same abbreviations?

Abbreviations like OHE, OVE, and FHO are used for both dogs and cats. However, cats rarely undergo orthopedic surgeries such as TPLO.

The abbreviations are written in Korean rather than English. Is this normal?

Yes, many veterinary clinics in Korea also write out the full Korean terms alongside abbreviations. Comparing both notations can help you learn the meanings of abbreviations more quickly.

They’re saying I need to sign the emergency surgery consent form right away—should I be worried?

Even in an emergency, please ask for just 30 seconds to a minute to hear the surgical procedure, anesthesia risks, and estimated costs before signing. This is your rightful right as a pet owner.

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References

[1] Fossum TW. Small Animal Surgery, 5th ed. Elsevier; 2019.

[2] Tobias KM, Johnston SA. Veterinary Surgery: Small Animal, 2nd ed. Elsevier; 2017.

[3] Grimm KA et al. Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia, 5th ed. Wiley-Blackwell; 2015.