General Practice Flashcards

An eight-year-old thoroughbred mare with a one-year history of infertility and unusual aggressive behavior is being assessed. Except for an enlarged ovary felt during a rectal exam, physical exam findings are normal. The enlarged ovary seems multiloculated according to ultrasonography. Which of the following tests is the most reliable predictor of the prevailing diagnosis when elevated?

Answer: Inhibin

The clinical signs of infertility and aggressive behavior in an 8-year-old mare, combined with an enlarged, multiloculated ovary, are highly suggestive of a granulosa cell tumor (GCT). Granulosa cell tumors are the most common ovarian tumor in mares and often produce hormones, including inhibin, testosterone, and estrogen. Elevated inhibin levels are the most reliable diagnostic marker for GCTs in mares, as it is produced by the granulosa cells of the tumor and suppresses FSH.

Weakness, despair, lethargy, ptyalism, and posterior paresis are symptoms that a 5-year-old ferret exhibits. The patient's owner reports that these symptoms frequently appear every morning before feeding and typically subside after the meal. The symptoms have recently gotten worse and lasted longer. Which of the subsequent diagnoses is most likely?

Answer: Insulinoma

The ferret's symptoms of weakness, despair, lethargy, ptyalism, and posterior paresis, which frequently appear before feeding and resolve after a meal, are classic signs of hypoglycemia. This pattern is highly characteristic of an insulinoma, a tumor of the pancreatic beta cells that secretes excessive insulin, leading to dangerously low blood glucose levels. The worsening and prolonged duration of symptoms indicate disease progression.

A 6-year-old domestic shorthair cat with vocal discomfort is examined for acute bilateral hind limb paralysis. A grade 3/6 left-sided systolic murmur is audible during a physical examination. The patient's footpads are chilly and pallid, and there are no femoral pulses. Additionally, the gastrocnemius and quadriceps muscles have painful contracture. Which of the following ailments has the highest likelihood of being diagnosed?

Answer: Arterial thromboembolism

Acute bilateral hind limb paralysis, vocal discomfort, cold and pale footpads, absence of femoral pulses, and painful contracture of hind limb muscles in a cat with a heart murmur are pathognomonic signs of an arterial thromboembolism (ATE), often referred to as 'saddle thrombus.' This condition typically results from a thrombus (blood clot) originating in the heart (often due to underlying heart disease like hypertrophic cardiomyopathy) that dislodges and lodges at the aortic trifurcation, blocking blood flow to the hind limbs.

Which of the following causes of exophthalmos in cattle occurs most frequently?

Answer: Retrobulbar lymphosarcoma

Retrobulbar lymphosarcoma is the most common cause of exophthalmos in cattle, especially in adult animals affected by Bovine Leukosis Virus (BLV). This neoplastic infiltration behind the globe creates a space-occupying lesion, pushing the eyeball forward. While other conditions can cause exophthalmos, lymphosarcoma is statistically the most frequent etiology in cattle.

A Labrador retriever aged 7 is examined for developing foreleg lameness that has been present for about two months. Physical examination reveals a noticeable soft tissue bulge around the carpus, and palpating this region causes severe pain. Radiographs of the afflicted area show significant cortical bone loss and lysis of the distal radius. Osteoblasts with many mitotic patterns, peculiar nuclei, and very basophilic cytoplasm are visible in a needle biopsy. What type of medication is the most suitable if the owner decides to have an amputation?

Answer: Cisplatin

The clinical signs and biopsy results (cortical bone loss, lysis, atypical osteoblasts) are highly suggestive of osteosarcoma, an aggressive bone tumor. For appendicular osteosarcoma, amputation is often followed by chemotherapy to delay metastasis and improve survival. Cisplatin is a commonly used and effective chemotherapeutic agent for canine osteosarcoma, making it the most suitable medication post-amputation.

A 4-year-old male German shepherd is examined because of recent development of severe weight loss, listlessness, and frequent, large feces. The patient is reportedly consuming more than usual, including his own feces, according to the owner. The body condition score after a physical assessment is 2/5. bad hair, slow thinking, and a general lack of thrift. When the patient urinates on the ground, it is a sign of steatorrhea. Which of the subsequent tests is best suited to support the prevailing diagnosis?

Answer: Trypsin-like immunoreactivity

The patient's symptoms, including severe weight loss, polyphagia, coprophagia, steatorrhea, and poor body condition, are classic signs of Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI). EPI is characterized by the pancreas's inability to produce sufficient digestive enzymes. The canine trypsin-like immunoreactivity (cTLI) test is the gold standard for diagnosing EPI, as it directly measures pancreatic enzyme levels in the bloodstream.

What is the most typical cause of dystocia and egg binding in caged birds?

Answer: Hypocalcemia

Hypocalcemia is the most common cause of dystocia and egg binding in caged birds, particularly in reproductively active hens. Calcium is crucial for proper uterine muscle contractions during egg laying and for eggshell formation. A deficiency can lead to weak contractions, resulting in the egg becoming stuck in the oviduct (egg binding) and subsequent dystocia.