NAVLE Equine Lameness and Diagnostics 3

Question 1

A horse with chronic forelimb lameness shows 'pointing' at rest — standing with the affected limb extended cranially. This posture is MOST commonly associated with:

Accepted Answer

Navicular syndrome

Answer

Pointing at rest is a classic postural sign of navicular syndrome, as the horse reduces weight on the heel to relieve pressure on the navicular apparatus.

Question 2

Soft tissue swelling along the dorsal aspect of the fetlock with pain on palpation of the dorsal pastern in a young racing Quarter Horse is MOST suggestive of:

Accepted Answer

Fetlock synovitis

Answer

Fetlock synovitis with joint effusion presents as dorsal soft tissue swelling and pain on palpation, commonly seen in young performance horses under heavy training loads.

Question 3

Which grading scale is the standard used in the United States to assess equine lameness severity?

Accepted Answer

AAEP lameness scale 0-5

Answer

The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) 0-5 lameness scale is the standard used in the US, with 0 being sound and 5 being non-weight-bearing.

Question 4

During lameness examination on the lunge, a horse with LEFT forelimb lameness will characteristically:

Accepted Answer

Nod the head UP when the left forelimb strikes

Answer

With a painful forelimb, the horse lifts (nods up) the head when the painful limb contacts the ground to reduce load, and nods down on the sound limb.

Question 5

Ultrasonography reveals a core lesion in the body of the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) in a sport horse. The MOST appropriate initial treatment is:

Accepted Answer

Controlled rest with hand-walking rehabilitation program

Answer

Core lesions of the SDFT require controlled rest and a graduated hand-walking rehabilitation program to allow fibrous repair while minimizing further damage.

NAVLE - North American Veterinary Licensing Examination Practice Test

NAVLE - North American Veterinary Licensing Examination Practice Test

NAVLE Equine Lameness and Diagnostics 3