DVM Exotic Animal and Avian Medicine 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following is the most common bacterial cause of respiratory disease in pet rabbits?
- Staphylococcus aureus
- Pasteurella multocida (Correct answer)
- Bordetella bronchiseptica
- Klebsiella pneumoniae
Correct answer: Pasteurella multocida
Pasteurella multocida is the most common pathogen causing snuffles (rhinitis, sinusitis, and pneumonia) in domestic rabbits.
Question 2: In iguanas, metabolic bone disease (MBD) is most commonly caused by a deficiency of which nutrient?
- Vitamin B12
- Calcium and Vitamin D3 (Correct answer)
- Vitamin E and selenium
- Phosphorus
Correct answer: Calcium and Vitamin D3
MBD in iguanas results from inadequate calcium and/or Vitamin D3, often due to poor UVB lighting or imbalanced diet.
Question 3: What is the primary husbandry recommendation to prevent stasis (GI hypomotility) in guinea pigs?
- High-protein pelleted diet
- Unlimited access to hay (Correct answer)
- Daily vitamin C supplementation
- Restricted water intake
Correct answer: Unlimited access to hay
Unlimited access to high-quality grass hay (like timothy) maintains GI motility and prevents stasis in guinea pigs.
Question 4: Which virus causes Newcastle Disease in poultry and is a reportable foreign animal disease in the United States?
- Influenza A virus
- Avian paramyxovirus-1 (APMV-1) (Correct answer)
- Infectious bronchitis virus
- Marek's disease virus
Correct answer: Avian paramyxovirus-1 (APMV-1)
Virulent Newcastle Disease is caused by APMV-1 and is a USDA-reportable disease with significant economic and public health implications.
Question 5: In hedgehogs, wobbly hedgehog syndrome (WHS) is a progressive neurological disease caused by which etiology?
- Bacterial meningitis
- Idiopathic demyelinating disease (Correct answer)
- Herpesvirus encephalitis
- Toxoplasmosis
Correct answer: Idiopathic demyelinating disease
WHS is an idiopathic progressive demyelinating disease unique to African pygmy hedgehogs, leading to hindlimb paralysis and muscle atrophy.
Question 6: Which drug is the treatment of choice for Chlamydia psittaci (psittacosis) infections in pet birds?
- Amoxicillin
- Metronidazole
- Doxycycline (Correct answer)
- Enrofloxacin
Correct answer: Doxycycline
Doxycycline is the drug of choice for treating psittacosis in birds and is typically given for 45 days to ensure elimination.
DVM Exotic Animal and Avian Medicine 2
Which of the following is the most common bacterial cause of respiratory disease in pet rabbits?