ICVA Exotic Animal Anesthesia 4

Question 1

What unique cardiovascular feature of avian patients makes blood pressure monitoring challenging compared to mammals?

Accepted Answer

Birds have a much higher heart rate and small vessel diameter, complicating cuff placement

Answer

Birds have very high heart rates and small peripheral vessels, making indirect blood pressure measurement via oscillometric cuffs technically difficult and often inaccurate.

Question 2

Alfaxalone is gaining popularity in exotic animal anesthesia primarily because of which advantage over ketamine?

Accepted Answer

Smoother induction and recovery with less muscle rigidity

Answer

Alfaxalone provides smoother induction and recovery compared to ketamine, which commonly causes muscle rigidity and hypersalivation in many exotic species.

Question 3

In hedgehogs undergoing anesthesia, which pre-anesthetic consideration is critical due to their defensive behavior?

Accepted Answer

Pre-anesthetic sedation is almost always necessary because they cannot be safely examined awake

Answer

Hedgehogs roll into a tight defensive ball when stressed, making physical examination and IV access impossible without prior sedation.

Question 4

Which statement best describes the glottis location in most snakes, which is critical during intubation?

Accepted Answer

Located at the rostral floor of the mouth, visible when the mouth is opened

Answer

In snakes, the glottis is located at the front of the oral cavity on the floor of the mouth and is easily visualized when the mouth is opened, simplifying intubation.

Question 5

A sugar glider requires anesthesia for dental work. Which induction method is most practical and safe?

Accepted Answer

Chamber or mask induction with isoflurane

Answer

Chamber or mask induction with isoflurane is the most practical method in sugar gliders due to their small size, difficult vascular access, and stress sensitivity.

(ICVA) International Council for Veterinary Assessment Practice Test

(ICVA) International Council for Veterinary Assessment Practice Test

ICVA Exotic Animal Anesthesia 4