NAVLE Feline Pharmacology and Toxicology 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A cat presents with sedation, hypersalivation, and ataxia after grooming itself following topical permethrin application intended for dogs. What is the most appropriate treatment?
- Administer atropine IV
- Bathe with mild dish soap and provide supportive care including muscle relaxants (Correct answer)
- Give vitamin K1 orally
- Administer activated charcoal via nasogastric tube
Correct answer: Bathe with mild dish soap and provide supportive care including muscle relaxants
Permethrin toxicity in cats causes neurological signs; bathing removes the toxin and methocarbamol or diazepam controls tremors.
Question 2: Which fluoroquinolone antibiotic is most associated with acute retinal degeneration and blindness in cats when used at high doses?
- Marbofloxacin
- Enrofloxacin (Correct answer)
- Pradofloxacin
- Orbifloxacin
Correct answer: Enrofloxacin
Enrofloxacin at doses above 5 mg/kg/day causes retinal degeneration in cats due to accumulation in the retinal pigment epithelium.
Question 3: A cat is prescribed methimazole for hyperthyroidism. Which adverse effect is most commonly reported in the first 1–3 months of therapy?
- Hepatotoxicity
- Facial pruritus and excoriation (Correct answer)
- Bone marrow aplasia
- Peripheral neuropathy
Correct answer: Facial pruritus and excoriation
Facial pruritus, excoriation, and self-induced facial lesions are the most common early adverse effects of methimazole in cats.
Question 4: Lily (Lilium spp.) ingestion in cats primarily targets which organ system?
- Central nervous system
- Hepatic system
- Renal system (Correct answer)
- Cardiovascular system
Correct answer: Renal system
True lily ingestion in cats causes acute renal failure due to nephrotoxic steroidal glycosides; even small amounts can be fatal.
Question 5: When using buprenorphine in cats, which route of administration achieves good bioavailability due to the cat's naturally alkaline oral pH?
- Intramuscular
- Intravenous
- Transmucosal (sublingual/buccal) (Correct answer)
- Subcutaneous
Correct answer: Transmucosal (sublingual/buccal)
The alkaline oral pH of cats promotes ionization of buprenorphine at mucosal surfaces, giving transmucosal administration ~100% bioavailability.
Question 6: A cat ingests mouse bait containing brodifacoum. How long after ingestion can clinical signs of coagulopathy be expected?
- Within 2 hours
- 12–24 hours
- 3–5 days (Correct answer)
- 7–10 days
Correct answer: 3–5 days
Brodifacoum depletes vitamin K-dependent clotting factors; signs appear after existing factors are consumed, typically 3–5 days post-ingestion.
Question 7: Which drug class is contraindicated in cats with urethral obstruction due to risk of worsening urethral tone?
- Alpha-1 adrenergic antagonists
- Benzodiazepines
- Opioid agonists (Correct answer)
- Non-depolarizing neuromuscular blockers
Correct answer: Opioid agonists
Pure opioid agonists (e.g., morphine) increase urethral sphincter tone in cats and can worsen urinary obstruction.
NAVLE Feline Pharmacology and Toxicology 2
A cat presents with sedation, hypersalivation, and ataxia after grooming itself following topical permethrin application intended for dogs.
What is the most appropriate treatment?