ICVA Small Ruminant Herd Health 3

Question 1

Contagious ecthyma (orf) in sheep and goats is caused by which type of pathogen?

Accepted Answer

Poxvirus (Parapoxvirus)

Answer

Contagious ecthyma is caused by Orf virus, a Parapoxvirus, which produces proliferative pustular lesions primarily around the mouth, lips, and teats.

Question 2

Which diagnostic test is considered the gold standard for detecting Johne's disease (paratuberculosis) in small ruminants?

Accepted Answer

Fecal culture for Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis

Answer

Fecal culture for Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis is the gold standard, though it is slow (weeks to months) and requires specialized media.

Question 3

Urolithiasis in male small ruminants most commonly causes obstruction at which anatomical site?

Accepted Answer

Urethral process (pizzle)

Answer

The urethral process (pizzle) at the distal end of the penis is the most common obstruction site due to its narrow lumen in male sheep and goats.

Question 4

Polioencephalomalacia (PEM) in small ruminants is most commonly associated with a deficiency or impaired utilization of which vitamin?

Accepted Answer

Thiamine (Vitamin B1)

Answer

PEM is primarily caused by thiamine deficiency or impaired utilization, leading to necrosis of cerebrocortical gray matter and characteristic neurological signs.

Question 5

Which management strategy best reduces the risk of pregnancy toxemia (twin lamb disease) in late-gestation ewes?

Accepted Answer

Provide adequate energy supplementation relative to fetal number

Answer

Adequate energy supplementation adjusted to the number of fetuses being carried prevents the negative energy balance that leads to pregnancy toxemia.

(ICVA) International Council for Veterinary Assessment Practice Test

(ICVA) International Council for Veterinary Assessment Practice Test

ICVA Small Ruminant Herd Health 3