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Feline Pharmacology and Toxicology 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 Feline Pharmacology and Toxicology flashcards as text

  1. Which fluoroquinolone antibiotic is associated with retinal degeneration and blindness in cats when given at high doses?

    Answer: Enrofloxacin

    Enrofloxacin causes dose-dependent acute retinal degeneration in cats, particularly at doses above 5 mg/kg/day; the feline maximum dose is 5 mg/kg/day.

  2. What is the mechanism of toxicity of organophosphate insecticides in cats?

    Answer: Inhibition of acetylcholinesterase causing cholinergic excess

    Organophosphates irreversibly inhibit acetylcholinesterase, causing accumulation of acetylcholine at synapses leading to muscarinic (SLUDGE) and nicotinic signs.

  3. A cat presents with mydriasis, tachycardia, and hyperthermia after chewing a plant. Which plant is most consistent with anticholinergic toxidrome?

    Answer: Jimsonweed (Datura)

    Datura species contain tropane alkaloids (atropine, scopolamine) causing anticholinergic syndrome with mydriasis, tachycardia, dry mucous membranes, and hyperthermia.

  4. Which route of administration results in the highest oral bioavailability of buprenorphine in cats?

    Answer: Buccal/transmucosal

    Buprenorphine has high bioavailability (>70%) via the buccal transmucosal route in cats due to the alkaline feline oral pH (~9), making it practical for outpatient pain management.

  5. Which cardiac glycoside-containing plant causes severe bradycardia and heart block if ingested by cats?

    Answer: Oleander

    Oleander contains cardiac glycosides (oleandrin) that inhibit Na/K-ATPase causing life-threatening bradycardia, arrhythmias, and AV block similar to digoxin toxicosis.

  6. Why are cats more susceptible to propylene glycol toxicity compared to dogs?

    Answer: Propylene glycol causes Heinz body formation in feline erythrocytes

    Propylene glycol used as a food preservative causes oxidative damage to feline red blood cells, forming Heinz bodies and resulting in hemolytic anemia; it was removed from cat foods for this reason.

  7. Which drug used to treat feline hypertension acts by blocking L-type calcium channels in vascular smooth muscle?

    Answer: Amlodipine

    Amlodipine is the first-line antihypertensive in cats; it selectively blocks L-type calcium channels causing vasodilation and reduction of systemic vascular resistance.