Top 10 Commonly Confused Words in Veterinary Toxicology

Top 10 Commonly Confused Words in Veterinary Toxicology 1. Toxicity vs. Poisonousness Often used interchangeably, these terms have distinct meanings. Toxicity refers to the inherent harmfulness of a substance, while poisonousness refers to the potential harm when exposed to a living organism. For example, a substance with high toxicity can be diluted to a non-poisonous level. 2. Acute vs. Chronic When discussing the duration of toxic effects, acute refers to a sudden, severe impact, while chronic refers to long-term, often low-level exposure. For instance, a single high dose of a medication can cause acute toxicity, while prolonged exposure to a lower dose can lead to chronic toxicity. 3. Dose vs. Dosage Dose refers to the quantity of a substance administered at once, while dosage is the frequency and duration of administration. For example, a medication's dose might be 10mg, but the dosage could be twice daily for a week. 4. Efficacy vs. Potency Efficacy refers to a treatment's ability to produce the desired effect, while potency relates to the dose required to achieve that effect. A highly potent drug might require a lower dose for efficacy compared to a less potent one. 5. Excretion vs. Elimination