ARC Health and Nutrition 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A rescued bird of prey (raptor) requires what type of diet to meet its nutritional needs in rehabilitation?
- Whole prey items including bones, fur, or feathers (Correct answer)
- High-protein commercial dog food
- Exclusively boneless meat cuts
- Seed and grain mixture with supplements
Correct answer: Whole prey items including bones, fur, or feathers
Raptors require whole prey to obtain calcium from bones, roughage from fur/feathers for casting (pellet formation), and complete nutrient profiles not present in muscle meat alone.
Question 2: Which condition in puppies is caused by excessive calcium supplementation during growth?
- Developmental orthopedic disease (DOD) (Correct answer)
- Hypocalcemic tetany
- Rickets
- Hypoparathyroidism
Correct answer: Developmental orthopedic disease (DOD)
Over-supplementing calcium in large-breed puppies disrupts normal bone modeling and causes developmental orthopedic diseases including osteochondrosis and angular limb deformities.
Question 3: What is the safest oral rehydration solution (ORS) for mildly dehydrated rescued animals when IV access is unavailable?
- Balanced electrolyte solution with glucose (e.g., Pedialyte unflavored) (Correct answer)
- Plain water with added table salt
- Sports drinks like Gatorade
- Milk or dairy-based fluids
Correct answer: Balanced electrolyte solution with glucose (e.g., Pedialyte unflavored)
Unflavored Pedialyte or veterinary ORS solutions provide an appropriate balance of electrolytes and glucose for absorption without dangerous additives like artificial sweeteners or excess sugar.
Question 4: A rescued wild duck shows signs of angel wing deformity. What nutritional factor is most likely responsible?
- Excessive protein and carbohydrate intake during rapid growth (Correct answer)
- Vitamin D deficiency
- Calcium toxicity
- Omega-3 fatty acid excess
Correct answer: Excessive protein and carbohydrate intake during rapid growth
Angel wing in waterfowl is associated with high-calorie, high-protein diets during rapid growth phases that cause abnormal wing development; bread feeding by the public is a major contributor.
Question 5: Which nutrient is most critical to supplement in rescued marine mammals (seals/sea lions) fed fresh-thawed fish?
- Thiamine (Vitamin B1) (Correct answer)
- Iron
- Vitamin C
- Zinc
Correct answer: Thiamine (Vitamin B1)
Fresh-thawed fish contains thiaminase enzymes that destroy Vitamin B1 (thiamine), causing neurological disorders; thiamine must be supplemented in all pinniped rehabilitation programs.
Question 6: What body condition score (BCS) on a 1–9 scale indicates an ideal weight in a rescued dog or cat?
- 4–5 (Correct answer)
- 1–2
- 7–8
- 9
Correct answer: 4–5
A BCS of 4–5 on the 1–9 scale indicates ideal body condition, where ribs are easily felt but not seen, and there is a visible waist without excess fat deposits.
Question 7: A foster animal receiving a home-cooked diet should have the diet reviewed by whom before long-term feeding?
- A board-certified veterinary nutritionist (Correct answer)
- Any veterinarian for a quick approval
- The rescue organization's director
- An experienced foster parent
Correct answer: A board-certified veterinary nutritionist
Home-cooked diets frequently lack key micronutrients and require formulation by a board-certified veterinary nutritionist (DACVN) to ensure complete and balanced nutrition.
ARC Health and Nutrition 3
A rescued bird of prey (raptor) requires what type of diet to meet its nutritional needs in rehabilitation?