VTNE Veterinary Pharmacology 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary concern when administering xylazine to cattle compared to other species?
- Cattle require much higher doses than horses
- Cattle are 10 times more sensitive to xylazine than horses (Correct answer)
- Cattle develop tachycardia instead of bradycardia
- Xylazine causes rumen stasis only in cattle
Correct answer: Cattle are 10 times more sensitive to xylazine than horses
Cattle are approximately 10 times more sensitive to xylazine than horses, so doses must be drastically reduced to avoid profound sedation and cardiorespiratory depression.
Question 2: A technician is preparing doxycycline for a patient. Which administration guideline is critical to prevent esophageal stricture in cats?
- Administer only on an empty stomach
- Follow each dose with water or food to clear the esophagus (Correct answer)
- Never administer IV doxycycline
- Crush and mix with milk
Correct answer: Follow each dose with water or food to clear the esophagus
Doxycycline tablets can cause esophageal stricture in cats if they lodge in the esophagus, so each dose must be followed by water or food to ensure the pill reaches the stomach.
Question 3: Which drug is used to treat toxoplasmosis in cats?
- Metronidazole
- Clindamycin (Correct answer)
- Albendazole
- Praziquantel
Correct answer: Clindamycin
Clindamycin is the drug of choice for treating toxoplasmosis in cats due to its efficacy against Toxoplasma gondii.
Question 4: Atropine is classified as which type of drug?
- Alpha-2 adrenergic agonist
- Anticholinergic (muscarinic antagonist) (Correct answer)
- Beta-1 adrenergic antagonist
- Nicotinic receptor agonist
Correct answer: Anticholinergic (muscarinic antagonist)
Atropine is an anticholinergic drug that competitively blocks muscarinic acetylcholine receptors, increasing heart rate and decreasing secretions.
Question 5: Which medication is used to stimulate appetite in cats and works by acting as a serotonin antagonist?
- Metoclopramide
- Mirtazapine
- Cyproheptadine (Correct answer)
- Maropitant
Correct answer: Cyproheptadine
Cyproheptadine is a serotonin and histamine antagonist that stimulates appetite in cats, though mirtazapine is also used; cyproheptadine specifically is the classic serotonin antagonist appetite stimulant.
Question 6: A dog receives an accidental overdose of acepromazine. What is the most appropriate treatment?
- Administer yohimbine IV
- Provide supportive care including IV fluids and vasopressors (Correct answer)
- Administer atropine to increase heart rate
- Administer naloxone to reverse sedation
Correct answer: Provide supportive care including IV fluids and vasopressors
There is no specific reversal agent for acepromazine; treatment is supportive, including IV fluids and vasopressors (such as phenylephrine) for hypotension.
Question 7: Which antiparasitic drug works by disrupting the nervous system of invertebrates by potentiating glutamate-gated chloride channels?
- Praziquantel
- Fenbendazole
- Ivermectin (Correct answer)
- Pyrantel pamoate
Correct answer: Ivermectin
Ivermectin (a macrocyclic lactone) potentiates glutamate-gated chloride channels in invertebrates, causing hyperpolarization and paralysis of parasites.
VTNE Veterinary Pharmacology 3
What is the primary concern when administering xylazine to cattle compared to other species?