DVM General Practice 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A rabbit is presented with acute torticollis, rolling, and nystagmus. No ear discharge is noted. Which organism is the most common cause of encephalitozoonosis in rabbits?
- Encephalitozoon cuniculi (Correct answer)
- Pasteurella multocida
- Baylisascaris procyonis
- Listeria monocytogenes
Correct answer: Encephalitozoon cuniculi
Encephalitozoon cuniculi is the most common cause of vestibular disease and neurological signs in rabbits, transmitted via urine of infected animals.
Question 2: Which analgesic is contraindicated in cats due to their deficiency in glucuronyl transferase enzymes and risk of fatal toxicity?
- Acetaminophen (Correct answer)
- Buprenorphine
- Meloxicam
- Tramadol
Correct answer: Acetaminophen
Cats lack adequate glucuronyl transferase to metabolize acetaminophen, leading to methemoglobinemia, hepatotoxicity, and death at doses safe for other species.
Question 3: During a wellness exam, you detect a grade III/VI left basilar systolic heart murmur in a 6-year-old Doberman Pinscher. Which condition is this breed most predisposed to?
- Dilated cardiomyopathy (Correct answer)
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
- Mitral valve disease
- Pulmonary stenosis
Correct answer: Dilated cardiomyopathy
Doberman Pinschers have a genetic predisposition to dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), which can present with arrhythmias and congestive heart failure.
Question 4: A goat kid 3 days old presents with watery diarrhea and weakness. Fecal ELISA is positive for rotavirus. What is the most critical supportive treatment?
- Oral electrolyte fluid therapy (Correct answer)
- Systemic antibiotics
- Anthelmintics
- Corticosteroids
Correct answer: Oral electrolyte fluid therapy
Viral neonatal diarrhea causes severe dehydration and electrolyte imbalances; oral electrolyte replacement is the cornerstone of treatment since antibiotics are ineffective against viruses.
Question 5: A ferret presents with alopecia starting at the tail and progressing cranially, lethargy, and vulvar swelling in a spayed female. Which condition is most likely?
- Adrenocortical disease (Correct answer)
- Insulinoma
- Hypothyroidism
- Lymphoma
Correct answer: Adrenocortical disease
Adrenocortical disease is the most common endocrine disorder in ferrets, causing estrogen excess that leads to alopecia, pruritus, and vulvar swelling in females.
Question 6: Which of the following is the correct dosing frequency for melarsomine dihydrochloride (Immiticide) using the split-dose protocol for heartworm treatment in dogs?
- One injection, rest 30 days, then two injections 24 hours apart (Correct answer)
- Three injections given weekly
- Single injection repeated every 6 months
- Two injections given 24 hours apart only
Correct answer: One injection, rest 30 days, then two injections 24 hours apart
The AHS-recommended split-dose protocol involves one IM injection, a 30-day rest, then two injections 24 hours apart to reduce the risk of pulmonary thromboembolic complications.
Question 7: A 2-year-old intact male dog presents with bilateral testicular asymmetry; one testicle is firm and enlarged. Cytology of the mass shows round cells with abundant pale cytoplasm and prominent nucleoli. What is the most likely diagnosis?
- Seminoma (Correct answer)
- Sertoli cell tumor
- Interstitial cell tumor
- Testicular lymphoma
Correct answer: Seminoma
Seminomas arise from germ cells and are characterized by sheets of uniform round cells on cytology; they are the second most common testicular tumor in dogs.
DVM General Practice 3
A rabbit is presented with acute torticollis, rolling, and nystagmus.
No ear discharge is noted.
Which organism is the most common cause of encephalitozoonosis in rabbits?