BCSE Animal Welfare and Behavior 4

Question 1

Which housing feature most significantly reduces stress-related pathology in laboratory rabbits?

Accepted Answer

Provision of a hide box or refuge structure

Answer

Rabbits are prey species that rely on refuges to feel safe; a hide box allows expression of natural hiding behavior and significantly reduces HPA axis activation.

Question 2

The USDA Animal Welfare Act specifically excludes which of the following from its definition of 'animal'?

Accepted Answer

Mice, rats, and birds bred for research

Answer

The AWA's current regulatory definition explicitly excludes mice of the genus Mus, rats of the genus Rattus, and birds bred for research from federal oversight.

Question 3

A horse exhibiting crib-biting and wind-sucking is most likely experiencing:

Accepted Answer

A stereotypy associated with restricted foraging and stall confinement

Answer

Crib-biting and wind-sucking are oral stereotypies that develop in horses with insufficient forage access and prolonged stall confinement, indicating compromised welfare.

Question 4

In assessing neonatal pain in puppies and kittens, which scale is validated for clinical use?

Accepted Answer

UNESP-Botucatu Neonatal Pain Scale or similar species-specific composite scales

Answer

Species-specific composite pain scales incorporating behavioral and physiological indicators have been developed and validated for neonatal small animal pain assessment.

Question 5

Positive reinforcement training in zoo animals primarily improves welfare by:

Accepted Answer

Allowing animals to voluntarily participate in husbandry and medical procedures, reducing fear

Answer

Voluntary participation in trained behaviors (blood draws, radiographs, weighing) reduces restraint-related fear and gives animals a degree of control over their interactions.

BCSE - Basic and Clinical Sciences Examination Practice Test

BCSE - Basic and Clinical Sciences Examination Practice Test

BCSE Animal Welfare and Behavior 4