ICVA - International Council for Veterinary Assessment Bovine Surgical Principles Questions and Answers

Question 1

When performing a cornual nerve block for dehorning an adult cow, what is the primary anatomical landmark for injection?

Accepted Answer

The temporal ridge, midway between the lateral canthus and the base of the horn

Answer

The cornual nerve, a branch of the zygomaticotemporal nerve, is blocked by injecting local anesthetic along the temporal ridge (frontal crest). The injection site is located approximately halfway between the lateral canthus of the eye and the base of the horn.

Question 2

A veterinarian is preparing for a standing left-flank laparotomy on a dairy cow. Which of the following regional anesthetic techniques provides the most complete and uniform desensitization of the entire flank, including the peritoneum and deep muscle layers?

Accepted Answer

Proximal paravertebral nerve block

Answer

The proximal paravertebral nerve block targets the spinal nerves (T13, L1, L2) as they emerge from the intervertebral foramina. This technique blocks the nerves more proximally, resulting in a wide, uniform area of anesthesia and muscle relaxation that includes the skin, muscle layers, and peritoneum, which is ideal for a laparotomy. The Inverted L and line blocks do not reliably anesthetize the deeper layers, and a caudal epidural targets the perineal region, not the flank.

Question 3

During a rumenotomy to remove a foreign body, the surgeon must prevent contamination of the peritoneal cavity. Which of the following is a standard technique to achieve this?

Accepted Answer

Securing the rumen to the skin incision with a continuous suture pattern or a rumen board/shroud before incising the rumen

Answer

To prevent leakage of rumen contents into the sterile abdominal cavity, the rumen wall is exteriorized and secured to the skin edges before it is opened. This can be accomplished using a rumen board, a Weingarth frame, or by suturing the rumen to the skin, creating a seal that isolates the surgical field from the peritoneum. Lavaging the abdomen during the procedure would spread contamination, and while antibiotics are important, they do not physically prevent spillage.

Question 4

A 6-month-old calf undergoes surgical dehorning. Which of the following is the MOST common and immediate post-operative complication that requires careful monitoring?

Accepted Answer

Hemorrhage from the cornual artery

Answer

Uncontrolled bleeding from the cornual artery is the most immediate and life-threatening complication following surgical dehorning, especially in older calves. Calves should be observed closely for at least 30-60 minutes post-procedure, and methods for hemostasis like cautery or ligation should be readily available. While sinusitis and infection are potential complications, they typically occur later.

Question 5

A surgeon is performing an intravenous regional anesthesia (IVRA), or Bier block, to anesthetize the distal limb of a cow for a claw amputation. Which of the following steps is critical for the safety and efficacy of this procedure?

Accepted Answer

Placing a tourniquet proximal to the intended surgical area and injecting the anesthetic into a distal vein

Answer

The principle of a Bier block is to isolate the limb's circulation with a tourniquet and then infuse a dilute local anesthetic into a distal vein. The tourniquet confines the anesthetic to the limb, allowing it to diffuse into the tissues and anesthetize the nerves. The tourniquet must remain inflated for a minimum period to prevent a toxic systemic bolus of the anesthetic. Anesthetic should be injected slowly, and epinephrine is contraindicated as it can cause severe vasoconstriction and tissue damage in a distal limb.

(ICVA) International Council for Veterinary Assessment Practice Test

(ICVA) International Council for Veterinary Assessment Practice Test

ICVA - International Council for Veterinary Assessment Bovine Surgical Principles Questions and Answers