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Canine Internal Medicine Flashcards

7 cards from real ICVA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Canine Internal Medicine flashcards as text

  1. A 7-year-old Labrador presents with polyuria, polydipsia, and a pendulous abdomen. Bloodwork shows elevated ALP and a stress leukogram. Which test best differentiates pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism from adrenal-dependent hyperadrenocorticism?

    Answer: High-dose dexamethasone suppression test

    The high-dose dexamethasone suppression test differentiates PDH (suppresses) from ADH (fails to suppress) in dogs with confirmed hyperadrenocorticism.

  2. A dog with immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) has a PCV of 14%. Which finding on blood smear is most consistent with regenerative anemia?

    Answer: Polychromasia and reticulocytosis

    Polychromasia and reticulocytosis indicate active bone marrow regeneration in response to anemia.

  3. Which electrocardiographic finding is most characteristic of hyperkalemia in a dog?

    Answer: Peaked T waves and widened QRS complexes

    Hyperkalemia causes peaked T waves, widened QRS, and eventually sinoventricular rhythm as potassium rises.

  4. A 5-year-old Golden Retriever presents with ascites. Abdominal fluid analysis shows a total protein of 1.8 g/dL and cell count of 300 cells/µL. This fluid is best classified as:

    Answer: Pure transudate

    A pure transudate has low protein (<2.5 g/dL) and low cell count (<1500 cells/µL), typically caused by hypoalbuminemia or portal hypertension.

  5. Which hepatic enzyme is most specific for hepatocellular damage (rather than cholestasis) in dogs?

    Answer: Alanine aminotransferase (ALT)

    ALT is a cytosolic enzyme most specific for hepatocyte damage in dogs, while ALP and GGT primarily reflect cholestasis or induction.

  6. A dog with protein-losing nephropathy (PLN) has a urine protein:creatinine ratio of 6.2. Which breed is most predisposed to glomerulonephritis due to a primary genetic defect in collagen IV?

    Answer: Samoyed

    Samoyeds have an X-linked hereditary nephritis caused by a mutation in the COL4A5 gene encoding type IV collagen.

  7. In a dog with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), which electrolyte abnormality is most critical to monitor and replace during insulin therapy?

    Answer: Potassium

    Insulin drives potassium into cells, so serum potassium must be closely monitored and supplemented to prevent life-threatening hypokalemia during DKA treatment.