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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 10-year-old neutered male dog presents with weight loss, ravenous appetite, and diarrhea. A cranial abdominal mass is palpated. Ultrasound shows a hypoechoic pancreatic mass. The most likely diagnosis is:

    Answer: Insulinoma

    Insulinoma is the most common functional pancreatic tumor in dogs, causing hypoglycemia-driven polyphagia, weakness, and seizures.

  2. Which serologic test is used to confirm chronic Ehrlichia canis infection in a thrombocytopenic dog?

    Answer: IFA for E. canis antibodies

    IFA for Ehrlichia canis antibodies is the serologic standard; titers ≥1:80 with compatible clinical signs confirm exposure.

  3. A dog with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is started on pimobendan. What is the primary mechanism of action of this drug?

    Answer: Calcium sensitization and phosphodiesterase III inhibition increasing contractility and causing vasodilation

    Pimobendan is a positive inotrope and vasodilator that sensitizes troponin C to calcium and inhibits PDE III, improving cardiac output.

  4. Which urine sediment finding is pathognomonic for ethylene glycol toxicity in a dog?

    Answer: Calcium oxalate monohydrate crystals

    Calcium oxalate monohydrate (hippurate-shaped) crystals in urine are pathognomonic for ethylene glycol poisoning, reflecting oxalic acid metabolite deposition.

  5. A dog with protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) has hypoalbuminemia, hypocholesterolemia, and hypocalcemia. Which intestinal disease most commonly causes PLE in dogs?

    Answer: Intestinal lymphangiectasia

    Intestinal lymphangiectasia causes dilation and rupture of lymphatics, leading to profound loss of protein, lipids, and fat-soluble vitamins into the gut.

  6. In a dog with suspected immune-mediated thrombocytopenia (IMT), which platelet count threshold typically warrants immediate immunosuppressive therapy to prevent spontaneous hemorrhage?

    Answer: <30,000/µL

    Platelet counts below 30,000/µL carry significant risk of spontaneous bleeding and generally prompt initiation of immunosuppressive treatment.

  7. A dog on trimethoprim-sulfadiazine for 6 weeks develops keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS). Which mechanism explains this adverse effect?

    Answer: Inhibition of carbonic anhydrase in the lacrimal gland

    Sulfonamides inhibit carbonic anhydrase in the lacrimal gland epithelium, reducing aqueous tear production and causing KCS.