Canine Medicine and Surgery Flashcards

A 6-year-old male Dachshund presents acutely with inability to walk in the hind limbs and deep pain perception is absent bilaterally. MRI confirms a thoracolumbar Hansen type I disc extrusion at T13-L1. What is the most critical prognostic indicator?

Answer: Presence or absence of deep pain perception

Presence or absence of deep pain perception is the single most important prognostic factor; dogs with intact deep pain have >90% recovery rates while those without have significantly lower rates.

A dog presents with polydipsia, polyuria, and a urine specific gravity of 1.006. A water deprivation test is performed; after 8 hours the USG remains 1.007. Following ADH administration, USG rises to 1.022. What is the diagnosis?

Answer: Central diabetes insipidus

Response to exogenous ADH (desmopressin) with concentration of urine confirms the kidneys can respond, indicating deficient ADH production from the pituitary — central diabetes insipidus.

Which breed is most predisposed to developing dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and typically presents with atrial fibrillation as its most common arrhythmia?

Answer: Irish Wolfhound

Irish Wolfhounds have a very high prevalence of DCM and, due to their large atrial mass, are particularly prone to atrial fibrillation as a complicating arrhythmia.

A 2-year-old intact male Rottweiler presents with a swollen, painful, warm prepuce. On examination, a mass is visualized within the prepuce that cannot be reduced. What is this condition called?

Answer: Paraphimosis

Paraphimosis is the inability to retract an exposed penis back into the prepuce, causing engorgement, swelling, and risk of ischemia requiring urgent treatment.

A dog is suspected to have toxicosis from xylitol ingestion 30 minutes ago. Which clinical signs would you expect first?

Answer: Hypoglycemia and seizures

Xylitol causes rapid insulin release in dogs leading to profound hypoglycemia within 30-60 minutes; hepatic necrosis can occur later with larger doses.

A 10-year-old female Labrador Retriever presents with a history of panting, pot-bellied appearance, bilateral symmetrical alopecia, and PU/PD. Urine cortisol:creatinine ratio is elevated. Which test best differentiates pituitary-dependent from adrenal-dependent hyperadrenocorticism?

Answer: High-dose dexamethasone suppression test (HDDST)

The HDDST suppresses cortisol by >50% in most pituitary-dependent cases because the tumor retains some feedback sensitivity, while adrenal tumors do not suppress.

A 5-year-old Beagle is presented with an acute abdomen and radiographs reveal a markedly distended stomach with gas and a 'double bubble' appearance. Which surgical procedure is performed to prevent recurrence after gastric decompression?

Answer: Gastropexy

Gastropexy permanently adheres the stomach to the right abdominal wall, preventing future rotation and recurrence of gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV).