The Real Pit Bull

Promoting A Positive Image

Glossary

Acral Pruritic Dermatitis - An easily accessed sore on the foot or leg, caused by constant licking until hair rubs off. Skin gets red and shiny, itching and swelling begins; boredom sore; lick granulomas; lick sore.

ADBA - American Dog Breeders Association; The American Pit Bull Terrier Registry since 1909. The largest registry of American Pit Bull Terriers. This registry only registers the APBT.

Adenovirus - An infection causing respiratory disease which in severe cases may include pneumonia and bronchopneumonia.

Afterbirth - The placenta and fetal membranes that are expelled after delivery.

Albendazole - A brood-spectrum wormer for internal parasites, anthelmintic.

Amoxicillin - A semisynthetic penicillin derived from ampicillin.

Ampicillin - A penicillin that is effective against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria and is used to treat various infections of the urinary, respiratory, and intestinal tracts.

Analgesia - Insensibility to pain without loss of consciousness.

Anaphylactic Shock - An often severe and sometimes fatal systemic reaction in a susceptible individual upon exposure to a specific antigen (as wasp venom or penicillin) after previous sensitization that is characterized especially by respiratory symptoms, fainting, itching, and urticaria.

Anesthetic - A substance that produces anesthesia, lacking awareness or sensitivity.

Anestrous - Not exhibiting estrus.

Anestrus - The duration of reproductive rest, three to six months.

APBA - American Pit Bull Association.

APBT - American Pit Bull Terrier.

Applehead - A round top skull, a domed skull.

Arsenic - A trivalent and pentavalent solid poisonous element that is commonly metallic steel-gray, crystalline, and brittle.

Arthritis - Inflammation of the joints, can be associated with rheumatism, causes lameness, stiffness, pain.

AST - American Staffordshire Terrier.

Atavism - Recurrence in an organism of a trait or character typical of an ancestral form and usually due to genetic recombination.

Babesia - Any of a genus (Babesia) of sporozoans parasitic in mammalian red blood cells and transmitted by the bite of a tick, producing anemia similar to malaria; babesiosis.

Barren - not reproducing: as incapable of producing offspring -- used especially of females or matings.

Bat Ear - An erect carried ear, rounding at top, revealing the burr of the ear.

Beauty Spot - Usually roundish colored hair on a blaze of another color.

Beefy - Over-development particularly of the hindquarters.

Belly Mate - A full brother or sister from the same breeding or litter.

B.I.S. - Best In Show.

Bitch - The female dog.

Black - The darkest color, sometimes appearing with lighter hue or tint.

Black and Tan - A black coat with tan markings above eyes on chest, feet, legs, muzzle, often with preferred white on chest and feet.

Black Nose - The common black leather colored nose exhibited on American Pit Bull Terriers of all coat colors.

Blade Bone - The scapula or shoulder bone.

Blaze - A white mark or stripe on the face or head, usually between the eyes.

Bloat - A gassy swelling of the abdomen often caused by water soaked forage.

Blocky - A square head.

Bloodline - A sequence of direct ancestors especially in a pedigree, family, strain.

Blood Vessel - Any of the vessels through which blood circulates in the body.

Blood Stopper - A powder for the checking and stopping of minor bleeding, such as a torn nail.

Bordetella - A bacteria affecting the upper respiratory, bronchi; bordetella brontisetica. Bordetella is the most common cause of tracheobronchitis (kennel cough) in dogs. It is a bacterial illness that is most common among dogs that congregate at things like shows, kennels or other places frequented by large numbers of dogs at once.

Bossy - Over-development of the shoulders.

Bow Legged - A leg bowed outward at or below the knee.

Breech - The hind end of the body delivered first.

Brindle - A mixture of dark streaks with lighter colors such as brown, buckskin, red, and yellow; brindled.

Brisket - the breast or lower chest.

Broken Color - A color broken by white or another color.

Bronchitis - Acute or chronic inflammation of the bronchi lining, caused by bacteria or distemper, causing violent cough and refusing food.

Brown - A chocolate, cocoas or coffee color, the combination of black, red and yellow makes brown.

Brucellosis - A highly contagious and infectious disease associated with abortion in bitches in the last quarter of gestation, sterility, and stillbirths. A testicle trouble in male dogs. It can be diagnosed through blood tests. Infected dogs should be isolated.

Buckskin - A light bay color; a pale fawn or wheaten.

Burr - The inside part of the ear visible to the eye.

Butterfly Nose - A parti-pigment colored nose.

Button Ear - The edge of the ear which folds to cover the opening of the ear by doubling upon itself.

Caesarian Section - Is a form of birth in which a surgical incision is made through the abdomen (laparotomy) and uterus (hysterotomy) to deliver one or more babies. It is usually performed when a vaginal delivery would lead to medical complications.

Castrate - The surgical removal of the testicles on a male dog.

Cat Foot - Round, tight, high arched feet with well developed knuckles resembling a cats; opposite of a splay-foot.

Cerebral Hemorrhage - Is bleeding that results from a broken blood vessel in the brain. Blood escapes into the brain and destroys or damages the surrounding tissue. In addition, other brain tissue suffers damage because of the interruption of normal circulation.

Cheeky - Fat, protruding or thick cheeks.

Cherry Eye - The inner tear gland surface of the third eyelid enlarges outward, exposing a red cherry-like growth at the nasal corner of the eye, duet to infection.

Chest - The part of the chest which extends between the forelegs from the brisket to the belly, not the brisket.

Chops - Jowls or pendulous lips; flews.

Chorea - A damaged nervous system causing uncontrollable twitching of various muscles, fits, and paralysis.

Chromosomes - Any of the bodies in the nucleus of a cell that contain chromatin and genes that carry heredity before cell division takes place; they occur in pairs, one derived from the mother, the other from the father.

Cleft Palate - A serious defective gap of structures forming the roof of the mouth.

Cloddy - Thick set; plodding.

Cobby - Short-bodied; compact; well ribbed.

Coccidium - Any of an order (Coccidia) of protozoans usually parasitic in the digestive epithelium of vertebrates.

Collar - Usually a white marking, resembling a collar around the neck; a band or chain worn around the neck.

Colloids - Plasma protein albumin and synthetic complex carbohydrate solutions. A one to one blood loss replacement, to expand blood volume and pull tissue into the blood stream.

Colostrum - A secretion of the mammary gland of the bitch following birth that acts as a purgative for the young and contains antibodies.

Conjunctivitis - Inflammation of the lining membrane covering the eyelids inner sides and surface of the eyeball up to the cornea, causing a discharge, caused by allergens, foreign bodies, misdirected hairs, wind, fungal and parasitic infection; other types include follicular conjunctivitis and ophthalmia neonatorium.

Constipation - A condition in which the feces is hard packed, bowel elimination is difficult and infrequent.

Coprophagy - To feed on dung or feces; coprophagous.

Corky - Active and alert; lively and spirited.

CoronaVirus - An infection resulting in enteric disease characterized by sudden onset of vomiting and diarrhea, similar to a mild case of parvovirus.

Couplings - The body between the withers and the hip bones, being long or short coupling.

Coryza - An acute inflammatory contagious disease involving the upper respiratory tract, common cold.

Cow Hocked - When the hocks turn inward or toward each other like a cows.

Crate - A portable kennel cage for containing or transporting dogs during short periods. It is also used as a dog house for indoor dogs. Crates are used in house breaking pups. Crating.

Crest - The arched portion of the back of the neck.

Cropping - To trim the ear leather and cause ears to stand erect.

Crossbred - The breeding together of two dogs with no dogs in common in their bloodlines, not controlling desired characteristics while obtaining new characteristics; open pedigree; outbreeding; out crosss, a hybrid.

Crown - The top skull; the highest part of the head.

Cyptorchidism - Cndition in which one or both testes fail to descend normally.

Crystalloids - A solution used for replacing electrolytes lost through bleeding or dehydration.

Cull - The process of eliminating undesirable characteristics.

Culotte - The long hair on the back of the thighs.

Cushing�s Syndrome - A growth or tumor of the adrenal glands due to a dysfunctional pituitary gland at the brains base, causing abnormal estrus, excessive drinking, excessive urination, hair loss.

Cushion - Fullness of upper lips.

Cystitis - A disease of the urinary tract which is characterized by infection and inflammation in the bladder.

Deafness - The dog can not hear but can live happily in familiar environment, common in albino or white dogs.

Dehydration - An excess fluid loss of minerals known as electrolytes. Fluid therapy is needed.

Demodectic Mange - Is caused by a microscopic mite called Demodex canis. All dogs raised normally by their mothers possess this mite as mites are transferred from mother to pup via cuddling during the first few days of life. (After the pup is older it is unable to pick up demodex mites. Puppies raised by hand, do not ever get demodex mites.) For some reason, conditions change in certain dogs to allow demodex mites to "gain the upper hand;" the mites proliferate and can cause serious skin disease.

Dermatitis - Inflammation of the skin.

Dew Claws - The claw on the inside of the legs just above and behind the foot; meat claw.

Dewlap - The loose, pendulous skin under the throat.

Diet - A selected assortment of foods designed for a specific purpose.

Distemper - A highly contagious virus disease especially of dogs that is caused by paramyxovirus (genus Morbillivirus) and is marked by fever, leukopenia, and respiratory, gastrointestinal, and neurological symptoms.

Dogue De Bordeaux - A purebred of Bulldog and Mastiff resembling the character of the original Bullmastiff; a Bordeaux Mastiff.

Drain - A means of providing a discharge of fluids from a wound.

Drop - The step up from the nose to the skull between the eyes; stop.

Drop Ears - Ears that lay flat and hang down past the leather of the button ear, known as miscarried ears; opposite of fly ears.

Dudley Nose - A flesh colored pigmentation of the nose.

Ear Mange - Ear mange is common among dogs, cats and rabbits. The mites do not burrow in the skin but live deep in the ear canal and feed on skin. The resulting irritation causes the ear canal to become congested. The affected animal rubs its ears and shakes its head to relieve the itching. Ear mange may be treated by applying mineral oil to the ear canal with a medicine dropper or cotton swab and by cleaning accumulations of foreign matter every other day for about 3 weeks.

EBA - Endangered Breed Association; an organization of the American Dog Breeders Association for the support of American Pit Bull Terriers and other breeds being discriminated against.

Eclampsia - A deficiency in the mother�s capacity to supply enough calcium for the development of bones and teeth, causing paddling, spasms, stiffening, trembling, exhaustion, heart failure; mil fever during pregnancy or parturition.

Eczema - An inflammatory skin disease caused by sensitivity.

Edema - Tissue swelling due to escape of watery fluid from the blood vessels.

Elbow - The joint between the forearm and the upper arm.

Elbows Out - Turning out or away from the body, not held close to the sides.

Entrolyte - An oral formula which provides a vital nourishment by replacing electrolytes and fluid.

Epinephrine - A product of the adrenal gland capable of raising blood pressure.

Epulis - A tumour growth, constantly bleeding often in the gum at the base of a tooth.

Ewe Neck - Curvature of the top of the neck.

Facial Paralysis - The jaw muscles are paralyzed more or less, mouth twisted tongue hangs to side, due to damaging the trigeminal nerve at the base of the ear and down side of face.

Fallow - A reddish buckskin; extremely pale yellowish brown; fawn.

False Pregnancy - An anestrous state resembling pregnancy that occurs usually after an infertile copulation.

Fangs - The four large teeth in the front of the mouth known as canines.

Fawn - A dark buckskin; extremely pale yellowish-brown; isabella; wheaten; originally known in Europe as fallow.

Febendazole - A brood spectrum wormer for internal parasites, anthelmintic.

Femur - The large heavy bone of the thigh.

Fertile - Capable of breeding or reproducing.

Fibrositis - A rheumatic disorder of fibrous tissue.

Fiddle Front - Forelegs out at elbows, pasterns close, feet turned out.

Flank - The side of the body between the last rib and the hip.

Flare - A blaze that widens.

Flat Sided - Ribs not properly rounded as they meet the breast bone.

Flea - Any of an order (Siphonaptera) of small wingless bloodsucking insects that have a hard laterally compressed body and legs adapted to leaping and that feed on warm-blooded animals.

Fles - The jowls or pendulous lips; chops.

Fly Ear - An erect carried ear, outward, revealing the burr of the ear.

Follicular Mange - Demodectic mange (also known as red mange, follicular mange, or puppy mange) is a skin disease, generally of young dogs, caused by the mite, Demodex canis. It may surprise you to know that demodectic mites of various species live on the bodies of virtually every adult dog and most human beings, without causing any harm or irritation. These small (0.25 mm) 'alligator-like' mites live inside of the hair follicles (i.e., the pore within the skin through which the hair shaft comes through), hence the name follicular mange.

Forearm - The bone of the foreleg between the elbow and pastern.

Foreface - Muzzle.

Foreign Body - Any object originating outside the body.

Fracture - A break in a bone.

Front - The forepart of the body as viewed from the front.

Frostbite - Dead tissue as a result of extreme cold.

Furrow - An indentation or median line down the center of the skull to the top skull.

Gastro-enteritis - Inflammation of the stomach and intestines.

Gaze - A fixed, earnest look; a long, intent look; a dog who gazes or stares.

Gene - A determiner in a chromosome having an important part in the transmission and development of inherited characteristics.

Genetics - The mechanisms of heredity, sex determination, variation and the transmission of inherited characteristics among similar or related organisms.

Genotype - An individuals hereditary makeup as distinguished from the actualization of the genes.

Gestation Period - The duration of normal pregnancy in the dog, about 63 days.

Gland - A cell, group of cells, or organ of endothelial origin that selectively removes materials from the blood, concentrates or alters them, and secretes them for further use in the body or for elimination from the body.

Glossy - A smooth shiny appearance of the coat; glossiness.

Grinder Bite - When the indentation and jaws meet exact; level bite; pincer bite.

Grizzle - A bluish-gray color; iron-gray.

Gum - The flesh covering the jaws, inside the mouth, surrounding the base of the teeth, yawn.

Hair Lip - A malformed separation between the two halves of the upper lip.

Ham String - A tendon in back of the knee.

Heartworm - A filarial worm (Dirofilaria immitis) that is a parasite especially in the right heart of dogs and is transmitted by mosquitoes. Death can occur. It can be diagnosed through a blood test. Prevention is recommended.

Heat - The breeding season, estrus cycle.

Heat Cycle - The average heat cycle for a dog is approximately 3 weeks and since this an an average, some heats are shorter (as little as 7-10 days), others are longer (4 weeks or more). Average times between heat periods is seven months but some dogs can cycle as early as every 4 months, some once a year. Lengths of heat cycles and intervals between cycles are different for each dog but most dogs hit somewhere close to the averages.

Heatstroke - A condition marked especially by cessation of sweating, extremely high body temperature, and collapse that results from prolonged exposure to high temperature, heat stroke.

Height - Vertical measurement from the shoulders or withers to the ground.

Hemorrhage - Profuse escape of blood from a blood vessel; bleeding.

Hematoma - A mass of usually clotted blood that forms in a tissue, organ, or body space as a result of a broken blood vessel.

Hepatitis - A sometimes fatal viral disease characterized by inflammation of the liver.

Heredity - The transmission of such qualities from ancestor to descendant through the genes.

Hernia - A protrusion through a tear in the wall of all or part of an organ; a protrusion of part of the intestine through the abdominal muscles; hernias; rupture.

Hock - The tarsus bones or lower joint of the third leg; heel.

Hookworm - Any of several parasitic nematode worms (family Ancylostomatidae) that have strong buccal hooks or plates for attaching to the host's intestinal lining and that include serious bloodsucking pests.

Hormonal Baldness - The coat falls out around rear and tail after whelping due to a hormone deficiency.

Hot Spots - Quarter shaped spots of infection on a dogs skin characterized by a crusty or raw appearance.

Hucklebones - The top of the hip bones.

Humerus - The bone of the upper arm

Hybrid - The offspring produced by crossbreeding two different pure lines, families or strains of the same or different breeds; hybridism.

Hybridize - To produce hybrid, double hybrid or breed only hybrid, possibly to mix or improve inherited characteristics deliberately; hybridization; hybridizer.

Hypothermia - A below or less than normal body temperature, subnormal.

Hypothy roidism - Deficient activity of the thyroid gland ; also : a resultant bodily condition characterized by lowered metabolic rate and general loss of vigor.

Immunity - The quality or state of being immune ; especially : a condition of being able to resist a particular disease especially through preventing development of a pathogenic microorganism or by counteracting the effects of its products.

Inbreeding - The mating of closely related animals.

Infertile - To be unproductive or unable to produce live gametes or offspring; not bearing, not fertile, not fertilized, not pregnant, barren, infertile, infertility, sterile, sterility.

Intramuscular - Situated in, occurring in, or administered by entering a muscle.

Intravenous - Injection into a vein or veins.

Intravenous Fluid - A solution for treating dehydration, injury, shock, etc., right into the vein.

Ivermectin - A drug mixture of two structurally similar semisynthetic lactones that is used in veterinary medicine as an anthelmintic, acaricide, and insecticide.

Jowls - The flews or pendulous lips; chops.

Kennel Cough - 'Kennel Cough' is the term that was commonly applied to the most prevalent upper respiratory problem in dogs in the United States. Recently, the condition has become known as tracheobronchitis, canine infectious tracheobronchitis, Bordetellosis, or Bordetella. It is highly contagious in dogs. The disease is found worldwide and will infect a very high percentage of dogs in their lifetime. It is characterized my inflammation of the upper respiratory system.

Kennel Lameness - A lameness often due to a deficiency in the diet.

Kink Tail - An abruptly bent tail, appearing broken.

Knock-kneed - To have both knees bent inward.

Laryngitis - Inflammation of the voice box, larnyx, at the back of the throat, which controls air supplies.

Layback - A receding nose and undershot jaw.

Leather - The flap of the ear.

Leptospirosis - A dangerous and bothersome viral infection because it affects many organs before lodging itself in the kidneys.

Lick Sore - An easily accessed sore on foot or leg caused by constant kicking until hair rubs off and skin gets red and shiny, itching and swelling begins; acral pruritic dermatitis; boredom sore; lick granulomas.

Litter - The entire amount of offspring delivered or whelped at one time, the bellymates.

Loaded Shoulders - Shoulders out of alignment due to overweight or over-development.

Loin - A part of the body between the last ribs and the hindquarters.

Lumber - Excess fat on a dog.

Lungs - Organs of respiration.

Luxuating Patella (trick knee) - Is a condition in which the patella, or kneecap, dislocates or moves out of its normal location. The luxation is usually medial, but can be lateral. It can be caused by some form of blunt trauma, or may be a congenital defect. In congenital cases, it is usually bilateral.

Mandible - The lower jaw bone.

Marrow - A soft substance filling the space within bones.

Mask - Shading of the foreface.

Mastitis - Inflammation of the mammary gland.

Merle - A marbled like appearance.

Metritis - Inflammation of the uterus.

Molars - Rear teeth used for actual chewing.

Monorchid - A male dog with only one testicle visible.

Muzzle - The nose and jaws in front of the eyes; foreface.

NAPBTA - National American Pit Bull Terrier Association; an organization of the United Kennel Club since 1981 for the support of American Pit Bull Terrier show dogs.

Nape - The back of the neck.

Natural Ears � Un-cropped ears.

Nose Bleed - The usual cause is injury to the nasal tissue, there can be many causes. Ice packs usually help, coagulants may be necessary.

Nucleus - The consolidated body within the cell containing the chromosomes.

Oestrus - Breeding season; heat.

Offspring - A descendant or descendants.

Pads - The underside or soles of the feet.

Pallor - Paleness; pale pink or white gums and mouth.

Parainfluenza - Any of several paramyxoviruses (genera Paramyxovirus and Rubulavirus) that are associated with or responsible for some respiratory infections.

Parasite - An organism that thrives upon another living thing without making any compensatory effort.

Parti-Colored - Variegated with patches of two or more colors.

Parvovirus - This infection results in enteric disease characterized by sudden onset of loss of appetite, lethargy, often bloody diarrhea and vomiting, and sometimes death.

Pastern - The bones that form the joint between the radius and the metacarpals.

Pedigree - A line of descent; record of ancestry; bloodline.

Penicillin - A powerful antibiotic made from a common green fungus mold, used to prevent bacteria from multiplying, as in infected wounds.

Phenotype - The individuals appearance or performance and the observable outcome of interaction between the environment and its genotype.

Pied - Large patches of two or more colors, one being white; parti-colored; piebald.

Pig Jaw - An exaggeration of an overshot jaw.

Pile - Soft hair in the undercoat.

Prepotency - A strong tendency to pass on characteristics to offspring; prepotent.

Prick Ear - An erect carried ear, pointed at top. Similar to bat ear.

Pulmonary Edema - Pulmonary edema is usually caused by heart failure that results in increased pressure in the pulmonary (lung) veins. However, problems within the lungs themselves can also result in fluid accumulation.

Pulse - A rhythmically propelled force through arteries by the beat of the heart.

Purebred - Belonging to a recognized breed kept pure for many generations.

Pyosis - The formation of pus, a yellow or yellowish-white creamy matter, chiefly dead tissue.

Rabies - An acute virus disease of the nervous system of warm-blooded animals that is caused by a rhabdovirus (genus Lyssavirus) usually transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal and that is characterized typically by increased salivation, abnormal behavior, and eventual paralysis and death.

Racy - Long, with a slight build.

Rash - A skin eruption caused by a local irritation or toxic substance.

Rat Tail - A thick rooted tail covered with soft curls and a hairless tip with a trimmed appearance.

Recessive - A dominant character or gene buried when it develops from one parent, associated in the zygote.

Red - Nearly any shade darker than buckskin and lighter than brown appearing with hue or tint resembling redness or the color red; fiery.

Red Nose - A copper leather colored nose exhibited by dogs related to Old Family red nose dogs.

Reversion - The appearance of ancestral traits not found in more immediate generations of ancestors; throw back; atavism.

Ribs - A forming cage of the chest.

Ringworm - Any of several contagious fungal diseases of the skin, hair, or nails of humans and domestic animals that are characterized by ring-shaped discolored skin patches covered with vesicles and scales.

Rose Ear - An ear which folds over and back revealing the burr of the ear.

Round Eyes - The shape of the eye opening.

Roundworm - A white spaghetti like worm, 1 to 7 inches long, that lives in the intestine.

Ruff - The longer hair growth around the neck.

Runt - An unusually small animal in a litter of larger of it�s kind.

Saddle - A marking over the back, like a saddle on a horse.

Sarcoptic Mange - Mange caused by mites (genus Sarcoptes) burrowing in the skin especially of the head and face.

SBT - Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

Scapula - The shoulder blade.

Semi-Pricked Ears - Erect carried ears with the tips folding forward.

Septum - The line which extends vertically between the nostrils.

Sinusitis - Inflammation of a sinus gland that inhibits breathing.

Spayed - A female whose ovaries have been removed surgically.

Splashed - Irregularly patched color on white.

Splay Feet - A flat or open-toed foot; opposite of a cat foot.

Stance - A manner of standing.

Stern - The tail; the handle.

Sternum - The breast bone.

Stifle - The ham; the joint of the hind leg between the thigh and the second thigh.

Suture - The surgical sewing of tissues.

Swayback - Concave curvature of the back between the withers and hip bones; opposite of roach back or wheel back.

Tapeworm - A long, flat, parasitic, segmented worm that lives in the small intestine, parts of which are passed in the stool.

Teat - An organ in females through which milk is drawn for nursing pups; nipple.

Tendon - A narrowed end of a muscle usually attached to a bone.

Thigh - The hind quarter from the hip joint to the stifle.

Threadworm - A small roundworm that lives in the intestine and is able to infect dogs and man.

Throatiness - Excessive loose skin under the throat.

Ticked - Small isolated areas of black or colored hairs on a white dog.

Tick - Any of a superfamily (Ixodoidea of the order Acarina) of bloodsucking arachnids that are larger than the related mites, attach themselves to warm-blooded vertebrates to feed, and include important vectors of infectious diseases.

UKC - United Kennel Club; an American Pit Bull Terrier registry since 1898. The American Pit Bull Terrier was the first breed registered by the UKC.

Umbilical Cord - The cord which connects the fetus with the placenta; naval string.

Upper-Arm - The humerus bone of the foreleg between the shoulder blade and forearm.

Uterus - A female organ for developing, holding, and protecting fetuses; the womb.

Vaccinate - To inoculate with a virus to protect against its disease; to administer a vaccine to usually by injection.

Vasectomize - To render sterile by an operation other than castration.

Vein - Any of the tubular branching vessels that carry blood from the capillaries toward the heart.

Venipuncture - Surgical puncture of a vein especially for the withdrawal of blood or for intravenous medication.

Vitamin - A protein essential to growth and health.

Whelp - To bring forth young from a bitch; a puppy.

Whip Tail - A stiff, straight, pointed tail.

Whipworm - A parasitic nematode worm (genus Trichuris) with a body that is thickened posteriorly and that is very long and slender anteriorly.

Whitehead - A pure snow colored head with a different colored body.

Withers - A first dorsal vertebra; the highest part of the body just behind the neck; the shoulders.

Wrinkle - Loose folding skin on forehead, foreface, or skull.

Wry Mouth - When the dentation and jaws don't meet exact; an overshot, undershot, grinder bite combined.

Yellow - Lemon; of the color of gold.

Zygote - The cell formed from a union of an ovum and a spermatozoon, two gametes, including the organism that develops from that cell, a fertilized ovum before cleavage.