ICVA Feline Pharmacology and Toxicology 3

Question 1

Which household plant toxin found in lilies (Lilium spp.) causes acute kidney injury in cats?

Accepted Answer

Unknown nephrotoxic principle

Answer

True lilies (Lilium and Hemerocallis species) contain an unidentified nephrotoxin that causes severe acute tubular necrosis in cats, with even small exposures being potentially fatal.

Question 2

What is the primary mechanism of toxicity when a cat ingests ethylene glycol?

Accepted Answer

Metabolite oxalic acid causes renal tubular calcium oxalate crystal deposition

Answer

Ethylene glycol is metabolized to glycolic acid and then oxalic acid, which precipitates as calcium oxalate crystals in renal tubules causing acute kidney failure.

Question 3

Which drug is the antidote for ethylene glycol toxicosis and must be given very early in cats (within 3 hours)?

Accepted Answer

Fomepizole (4-MP)

Answer

Fomepizole (4-methylpyrazole) inhibits alcohol dehydrogenase preventing toxic metabolite formation, but must be administered within 3 hours in cats due to rapid metabolism.

Question 4

A cat presents with tremors, ataxia, and hyperthermia after ingesting a small amount of tea tree oil. What is the mechanism?

Accepted Answer

Terpene compounds causing CNS excitation and dermal absorption toxicity

Answer

Tea tree oil terpenes are rapidly absorbed dermally and orally in cats, causing CNS depression, ataxia, and hepatotoxicity due to deficient feline detoxification pathways.

Question 5

Which drug class requires dose reduction in cats with hepatic disease due to extensive hepatic metabolism?

Accepted Answer

Benzodiazepines

Answer

Benzodiazepines are extensively hepatically metabolized; cats with liver disease show prolonged sedation and can develop hepatic encephalopathy-like signs if doses are not reduced.

(ICVA) International Council for Veterinary Assessment Practice Test

(ICVA) International Council for Veterinary Assessment Practice Test

ICVA Feline Pharmacology and Toxicology 3