ACVIM Required Journals QODs - Food Animal

Question 1

Epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV) is a double-stranded RNA virus that belongs to the genus Orbivius transmitted to cattle by midges. Which of the following statements is true regarding the clinical manifestations of infection with EHDV in ruminants?
A. Infection in cattle is typically severe and results in high morbidity and mortality.
B. Infection in white-tailed deer is typically mild, with most animals becoming subclinically infected.
C. The most common clinical signs of EHDV infection in cattle are fever, oral ulceration, excessive salivation, lethargy, hyporexia, reduced milk production, lameness, palpebral and conjunctival edema, abortion, and recumbency.
D. Sudden death is commonly reported as a cardinal sign of an EHDV outbreak in affected cattle herds.

Answer 1

C. The most common clinical signs of EHDV infection in cattle are fever, oral ulceration, excessive salivation, lethargy, hyporexia, reduced milk production, lameness, palpebral and conjunctival edema, abortion, and recumbency.

Ref: Garrett et al, JAVMA 2015; 247(2):190-195.

Question 2

A novel fatigue syndrome of cattle was identified in feedlots throughout the United States in 2013. Affected cattle were lethargic, demonstrated increased periods of recumbency, tachypnoea, reluctance to move and in some cases sloughed their hoof walls. Histologic evidence of diffuse necrosis of the epidermal laminae with degenerate collagen and perivascular infiltration of neutrophils in the underlying deep dermis was evident in hooves and they had elevated serum lactate and creatinine kinase concentrations. What substance has been implicated in development of this fatigue syndrome?
A. Virginiamycin.
B. Zilpaterol hydrochloride.
C. Zearlenone.
D. Monensin.

Answer 2

B. Zilpaterol hydrochloride.

Ref: Thompson et al, JAVMA 2015; 247(1):66–72.

Question 3

Conflicting data exists regarding the efficacy of vaccinations in reducing morbidity and mortality resulting from Bovine Respiratory Disease Complex (BRDC) in calves. In a recent systematic review and meta-analysis of the efficacy of vaccines in mitigating the effects of BRDC in cattle, vaccination against which of the following viruses was found to reduce morbidity in calves in BRDC experimental challenge models?
A. Bovine Herpesvirus-1 and Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus.
B. Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus and Parainfluenza type 3.
C. Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus and Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus.
D. Bovine Herpesvirus-1 and Parainfluenza type 3.

Answer 3

A. Bovine Herpesvirus-1 and Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus.

Ref: Theurer et al, JAVMA 2015; 246(1):126–14.

Question 4

Which of the following cows is most likely to have the worst prognosis for survival if they all have a diagnosis of right displacement of the abomasum?
A. Pre-surgery lactate concentration of 1.8 mmol/L.
B. Post-surgery lactate concentration of 2.0 mmol/L.
C. Pre-surgery heart rate of 92 beats per minute.
D. Change in lactate over time (pre-surgery lactate – post-surgery lactate/duration of treatment) of 0.7 mmol/h.

Answer 4

A. Pre-surgery lactate concentration of 1.8 mmol/L.

Ref: Buczinski et al, J Vet Intern Med 2015;29:375–380.

Question 5

Which of the following is true regarding seizure disorders in cattle?
A. The majority of seizures are toxic in origin e.g. due to lead toxicity.
B. The majority of cattle which develop seizures are greater than 12 months of age.
C. The majority of seizures are metabolic in origin e.g. due to hypocalcaemia and/or hypomagnesemia.
D. The majority of seizures are structural in origin e.g. due to cerebrocortical necrosis.

Answer 5

C. The majority of seizures are metabolic in origin e.g. due to hypocalcaemia and/or hypomagnesemia.

Ref. D’Angelo et al, J Vet Intern Med 2015;29:967–971.

Question 6

Which of the following drugs facilitate absorption of IgG from enterally administered colostrum in neonatal calves?
A. Acetominophen.
B. Erythromycin.
C. Bethanecol.
D. Cisapride.

Answer 6

D. Cisapride.

Ref: Ghoreishi et al, J Vet Intern Med 2015; 29:714-720.

Question 7

Which of the following statements are true regarding atrial fibrillation in New World Camelids?
A. The most common cause of atrial fibrillation in camelids is primary gastrointestinal disease.
B. The most common cause of atrial fibrillation in camelids in primary cardiovascular disease.
C. Treatment with amiodarone results in successful conversion to sinus rhythm in 23% of camelids with atrial fibrillation.
D. The incidence of atrial fibrillation in llamas in North America is 0.5% and in alpacas is 2.9%.

Answer 7

B. The most common cause of atrial fibrillation in camelids in primary cardiovascular disease.

Ref: Bozorgmanesh et al, J Vet Intern Med 2016;30:335–338.

Question 8

Oxidative stress (OS) plays a causative role in insulin resistance (IR) in humans, a condition which is related to significant pathology in postparturient dairy cattle. You are presented with a valuable Jersey cow who is 2 weeks out from calving and has a history of postparturient ketosis. You decide to treat her with the anti-oxidants DL-alpha-tocopheryl acetate and sodium selenite on presentation and closely monitor her. What could you expect to find in post-calving blood tests from this cow?
A. Less evidence of oxidative stress and insulin resistance than in her untreated herd mate.
B. Longer half life of NEFAs than in her untreated herdmate.
C. No difference in results from a glucose tolerance tests prior to and after anti-oxidant administration.
D. Slower elimination rate of NEFAs than her untreated herd mate.

Answer 8

A. Less evidence of oxidative stress and insulin resistance than in her untreated herd mate.

Ref: Abuelo et al, J Vet Intern Med 2016; 30(3):892-898.

Question 9

You are asked to conduct an audit of the beef feedlots in Canada and North America. You review records from the past decade and correlate trends in mortality with potential changes in management. What findings are likely in your audit?
A. The incidence of left-sided congested heart failure halved over the decade.
B. Cattle treated for bovine respiratory disease were 5 times more likely to develop right-sided congested heart failure.
C. The incidence of right-sided congested heart failure doubled over the decade.
D. Cattle treated for bovine respiratory disease were 5 times more likely to develop left-sided congested heart failure.

Answer 9

C. The incidence of right-sided congested heart failure doubled over the decade.

Ref: Neary et al, J vet Intern Med 2016; 30:326-334.

Question 10

You are called to investigate an outbreak of neurologic disease in 2-4 week old Boer goat kids. You collect blood and faecal samples for biochemical analysis and culture. While on the farm you perform an iStat blood gas on 3 of the goats. They are all markedly acidotic with blood pH ranging from 7.2 to 7.26. Which of the following results are likely to be returned from the samples you submitted to the lab?
A. Elevated blood plasma l-lactate concentration.
B. Positive faecal salmonella culture.
C. Marked hyponatraemia and hypochloraemia.
D. Increased faecal CFU counts of coliforms, enterococci, streptococci, staphylococci and lactobacilli compared to healthy kids.

Answer 10

D. Increased faecal CFU counts of coliforms, enterococci, streptococci, staphylococci and lactobacilli compared to healthy kids.

Ref: Bleul et al, JVIM 2013; 27:1283-1286.

Question 11

Localised infections may or may not have systemic sequlae in large animals. What could you expect to find in yearoing cattle that had infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (IBK) as weanlings?
A. Less 12th rib fat depth, ribeye area and body weight than cohorts that did not have IBK at weaning.
B. Less 12th rib fat depth and body weight but equivalent ribeye area compared to cohorts that did not have IBK at weaning.
C. Lower daily gain than cohorts that did not have IBK at weaning.
D. Greater susceptibility to bovine respiratory disease complex than cohorts that did not have IBK at weaning.

Answer 11

A. Less 12th rib fat depth, ribeye area and body weight than cohorts that did not have IBK at weaning.

Ref: Funk et al, JAVMA 2014; 244:100-106.

Question 12

Which of the following preparations may attenuate multi-organ failure if given to livestock following ingestion of Crotalaria?
A. Macadamia oil.
B. Peanut oil.
C. Coconut oil.
D. Sesame oil.

Answer 12

D. Sesame oil.

Ref: Srinivasan, P. and Liu, M. Y., J Vet Intern Med 2012; 26:499-491.

Question 13

A local hobby farmer calls you in a panic as his daughter just remembered to tell him that she found his beloved show cow Primrose in the feed shed last night munching her way through a large bag of soybean meal and Primrose is now very dull and won’t eat her favourite Lucerne hay or stud pellets. Which of the following statements likely applies to Primrose?
A. She will respond to treatment with warm water and polyoxalene via oral feeding tube.
B. She has a metabolic alkalosis with hyperglycaemia and hyperinsulinaemia.
C. She has a severe metabolic acidosis with hyperglycaemia and hyperinsulinaemia.
D. Her dullness is likely a neurologic sign and as such her prognosis is hopeless.

Answer 13

B. She has a metabolic alkalosis with hyperglycaemia and hyperinsulinaemia.

Ref: Raboissen et al, J Vet Intern Med 2012; 26:393-401.

Question 14

You are called out to examine a two week old calf. It appears to be of normal size and appearance and has unremarkable physical examination findings with the exception of tachycardia and a loud, pansystolic cardiac murmur with point of maximal intensity over the right heart base. The farmer reports he is unable to keep up with the other calves when moving around the yard and appears to breath very quickly when stimulated. You suggested an echocardiogram, however do not have a machine capable of performing this on farm, so instead offer to run some bloods and take thoracic radiographs. What findings might you expect in this calf?
A. Cardiac troponin I concentration above the normal range; vertebral heart score above the normal range.
B. Cardiac troponin I concentration above the normal range; vertebral heart score within the normal range.
C. Creatinine kinase concentration above the normal range; vertebral heart score within the normal range.
D. Normal haematology findings and normal serum biochemistry findings, with the exception of serum amyloid A concentration above the normal range.

Answer 14

A. Cardiac troponin I concentration above the normal range; vertebral heart score above the normal range.

Ref: Suzuki et al, JVIM, 2015; 26:1056-1060.

Question 15

Which of the following parameters is the most sensitive early indicator of systemic inflammation in adult alpacas?
A. Increased serum amyloid A concentration.
B. Increased serum cardiac troponin I concentration.
C. Increased plasma fibrinogen concentration.
D. Decreased serum iron concentration.

Answer 15

D. Decreased serum iron concentration.

Ref: Passler et al, J Vet Intern Med 2013; 27:970-976.

Question 16

You are working in a referral hospital in North America that has a heavy camelid caseload. Administration of which of the following interventions is most likely to improve the discharge rate of sick neonatal camelids admitted to your hospital?
A. Intravenous llama plasma.
B. Intranasal oxygen.
C. Oral bovine colostrum replacer.
D. Intravenous penicillin.

Answer 16

A. Intravenous llama plasma.

Ref: Bertin et al, J Vet Intern Med 2015; 29: 368-374.

Question 17

Which of the following parameters is correlated with packed cell volume in cattle with theileriosis?
A. Haptoglobin.
B. Serum iron.
C. Reb blood cell distribution width.
D. Cardiac troponin I.

Answer 17

D. Cardiac troponin I.

Ref: Fartashvand et al, J Vet Intern Med, 2013; 27:194-199.

Question 18

A herd of dairy cattle has been fed a phosphorus deficient diet for some months. You collect blood samples from a number in the herd. What can you expect to find?
A. Decreased plasma and erythrocyte phosphorus concentrations.
B. Decreased plasma and normal erythrocyte phosphorus concentrations.
C. Decreased plasma phosphorus concentration and decreased osmotic resistance of erythrocytes.
D. Decreased erythrocyte phosphorus concentration and decreased osmotic resistance of erythrocytes.

Answer 18

B. Decreased plasma and normal erythrocyte phosphorus concentrations.

Ref: Grunberg et al, J Vet Intern Med, 2015; 29:395-399.

Question 19

You are asked by an animal welfare agency to investigate the use of sometribove zinc (rbST-Zn), a recombinant bovine somatotropin, in a local dairy cattle herd as they are concerned this substance may have adverse effects in cattle. You tell them a meta-analysis of this subject has already been undertaken, and it was found that:
A. rbST-Zn increases rates of fetal loss, twins, cystic ovaries and clinical mastitis in dairy cattle.
B. rbST-Zn decreases 3.5% fat-corrected milk, fat, and protein yields in dairy cattle.
C. rbST-Zn increases milk production with no adverse effects on cow health and well-being.
D. rbST-Zn reduces rates of fetal loss, twins, cystic ovaries and clinical mastitis in dairy cattle.

Answer 19

C. rbST-Zn increases milk production with no adverse effects on cow health and well-being.

Ref: St-Pierre et al, J Am Vet Med Assoc, 2014; 245:550-564.

Question 20

What is the average survival rate in outbreaks of arsenic toxicosis in cattle?
A. 49%
B. 1%
C. 29%
D. 73%

Answer 20

B. 1%

Ref: Bertin et al, J Vet Intern Med, 2013; 27:977-981.

Question 21

Which of the following compounds have been shown to decrease shedding of salmonella in the faeces of pig but not decrease growth performance?
A. Gallium maltoate and chlortetracycline.
B. Quaternary benzo(c)phenanthridine alkaloids and cephalexin.
C. Azithromycin and gallium maltoate.
D. Quaternary benzo(c)phenanthridine alkaloids and chlortetracycline.

Answer 21

D. Quaternary benzo(c)phenanthridine alkaloids and chlortetracycline.

Ref: Robbins et al, Am J Vet Res, 2013; 74:1530-1535.

Question 22

Which of the following cell types is present with greater abundance in samples of bronchoalveolar fluid collected from healthy alpacas than that collected from healthy horses?
A. Macrophages.
B. Mast cells.
C. Neutrophils. 
D. Eosinophils.

Answer 22

C. Neutrophils.

Ref: Pacheco et al, Am J Vet Res, 2012; 73:146-152.

Question 23

A novice farmer wishes to set up a cattle feedlot as in investment. He is hesitant to vaccinate incoming calves against BVDV as he sees this as a waste of resources. You explain to him how BVDV can manifest in different ways, be present in persistently infected (PI) animals who are co-mingled with the herd and not showing overt clinical signs and the economic impact of this disease. He is focused on dollar signs and so to help guide his decision you tell him:
A. The increase in average daily gain alone in vaccinated vs unvaccinated cattle exceeds the cost of vaccination.
B. Exposure of cattle to BVDV naturally or through vaccination before or at feedlot arrival mitigates the negative effects of constant exposure to PI cattle in terms of morbidity and mortality rates and average daily gain.
C. Vaccination against BVDV does not have any effect on mortality rates of cattle if they are maintained with a PI animal but does increase average daily gain.
D. Vaccination prevents infection with BVDV, but only if performed prior to exposure to a PI animal, therefore he should buy cattle which were vaccinated prior to arrival at the feedlot.

Answer 23

B. Exposure of cattle to BVDV naturally or through vaccination before or at feedlot arrival mitigates the negative effects of constant exposure to PI cattle in terms of morbidity and mortality rates and average daily gain.

Ref: Grooms et al, J Am Vet Med Assoc, 2014; 244:212-224.

Question 24

Which of the following is the most common site of envenomation and what is the survival rate for camelids bitten by Prairie Rattlesnakes?
A. Face; 69%.
B. Front leg; 29%.
C. Face; 43%.
D. Hind leg; 72%.

Answer 24

A. Face; 69%.

Ref: Sonis et al, J Vet Intern Med, 2013; 27:1238-1241.

Question 25

Dairy calves are at risk of salt toxicity from inappropriately high concentration of milk replacer solution, milk replacer mixing errors, lack of access to water, dehydration from disease, or a combination of these factors. Which of the following statements is true regarding the physiologic response to hypernatraemia in calves?
A. A partially protective mechanism occurs with accumulation of amino acids, sugars and alcohols in neuronal cells in an attempt to balance the intra- and extracellular osmolality.
B. Hypernatremia causes inhibition of neuronal cell gluconeogenesis and results in central nervous system depression.
C. Neurons swell as water is lost to the extracellular space in an attempt to equilibrate the osmotic gradient between the intracellular and extracellular space.
D. Haemolysis occurs due to increased plasma osmolality.

Answer 25

A. A partially protective mechanism occurs with accumulation of amino acids, sugars and alcohols in neuronal cells in an attempt to balance the intra- and extracellular osmolality.

Ref: Ollivett and McGuirk, J Vet Intern Med, 2013; 27:592-595.

Question 26

Which of the following risk factors is most important in transmission of Mycoplasma paratuberculosis in calves?
A. Shavings bedding in calf pens.
B. Ingesting waste milk.
C. Contact with faeces produced by adult cows.
D. Jersey breed.

Answer 26

C. Contact with faeces produced by adult cows.

Ref: Dore et al, J Vet Intern Med, 2012; 26:32-45.

Question 27

Which of the following is true regarding the presence of bacteraemia in post-parturient dairy cattle?
A. Bacteraemia is 3 times as likely to occur in post-partum cattle with acute puerperal metritis as those without evidence of disease.
B. Bacteraemia is just as likely to occur in post-partum cattle without evidence of disease as those with acute puerperal metritis.
C. The most common organism isolated from blood culture in post-partum cattle with acute puerperal metritis is Escherichia coli.
D. The most common organism isolated from blood culture in post-partum cattle without clinical signs of disease is Trueperella pyogenes.

Answer 27

B. Bacteraemia is just as likely to occur in post-partum cattle without evidence of disease as those with acute puerperal metritis.

Ref: Credille et al, J Vet Intern Med, 2014; 28:1606-1612.