Parasite CAPC review

Question 1

To combat Texas cattle fever caused by Babesia bigemina, the vector tick, Boophilus
annulatus, was eradicated from the United States through an ambitious program of intensive
dipping of cattle. What aspect of the life cycle of this tick allowed the eradication program to be
successful?
a. Boophilus annulatus is a one-host tick
b. Boophilus annulatus prefers to feed on animals other than cattle
c. Boophilus annulatus is a three-host tick
d. Boophilus annulatus has low tolerance for conditions of high humidity
e. Boophilus annulatus has a low tolerance for high temperatures

Answer 1

A

Question 2

Which of the following animals would be most likely to serve as a source of Trichinella spp.
infection to humans in the U.S.?
a. rabbit
b. sheep
c. cattle
d. bear
e. deer

Answer 2

D

Question 3

This parasite ova was found on fecal flotation of a 5-year-old dog
with a history of intermittent bloody diarrhea. Which of the following is
the most appropriate labeled pharmacotherapy?
a. pyrantel
b. ivermectin
c. metronidazole
d. trimethoprim-sulfa
e. fenbendazole

Answer 3

E

Question 4

An egg (ova) of Pearsonema plica was detected on urine sediment examination of a 4-yearold
neutered male mixed-breed dog with a history of cystitis. How did the dog become infected
with this parasite?
a. skin penetration of third-stage larvae
b. ingestion of earthworm containing first-stage larvae
c. ingestion of egg containing third-stage larvae
d. migration of third-stage larvae up urethra to embed in urinary bladder mucosa
e. ingestion of dung beetle containing third-stage larvae

Answer 4

B

Question 5

A 5-year-old gelding presents with ataxia and incoordination in all four limbs. A CSF tap
reveals antibodies to Sarcocystis neurona. How did the horse most likely acquire this infection?
a. transmission of sporozoites via the bite of a tabanid fly
b. ingestion of oocysts from the feces of an infected horse
c. ingestion of sarcocysts in the muscle tissue of an infected opossum
d. transmission of sporozoites via tick bite
e. ingestion of sporocysts from opossum feces in contaminated feed or water

Answer 5

E

Question 6

This parasite was detected on fecal flotation of a 3-month-old puppy
with acute diarrhea. Although many dogs will self-cure this parasite, you
decide to prescribe a treatment. What treatment is most appropriate?
a. sulfadimethoxine
b. fenbendazole
c. ivermectin
d. metronidazole
e. pyrantel

Answer 6

A

Question 7

An adult budgie presents with severe crusting on the beak and cere which has resulted in
severe deformity of the beak. What diagnostic assay is most likely to reveal the etiologic agent?
a. serum chemistry profile
b. bacterial culture of the crusted material for the presence of Staphylococcus
c. microscopic examination of the crusted material for mites
d. radiographs to evaluate calcium deposition in the long bones
e. virus isolation attempts on the crusted material

Answer 7

C

Question 8

West Nile virus is commonly transmitted to horses, people, and other animals via:

a. fleas
b. mosquitoes
c. horse flies
d. ticks
e. biting midges

Answer 8

B

Question 9

Which of the following groups of ectoparasites is not known to occur on pet birds?

a. sucking lice (Anoplura)
b. chewing lice (Mallophaga)
c. fleas (Siphonaptera)
d. mites (Acari)
e. all of these groups of parasites commonly occur on pet birds

Answer 9

A

Question 10

An intact male feral kitten presents for routine examination. You notice large numbers of
glistening white eggs adherent to the hair shafts on the dorsal and lateral aspect of the thorax.
Closer inspection reveals several dorsoventrally flattened insects clinging to the hair shafts
themselves. What parasite is this?
a. Phthirus
b. Linognathus
c. Hematopinus
d. Pediculus
e. Felicola

Answer 10

E

Question 11

This egg was detected on flotation of feces from a 3-yearold
barn cat. How did the cat become infected with this
parasite?
a. ingestion of infected flea
b. ingestion of infected rodent
c. ingestion of infected rabbit
d. transmitted via bite of infected flea
e. transmitted via bite of infected rodent

Answer 11

B

Question 12

A 5-month-old intact female barn kitten presents with a
subcutaneous mass in her neck. Upon examination you notice
an opening in the mass. This organism was removed with
forceps. What parasite is this?
a. Oestrus
b. Hypoderma
c. Gasterophilus
d. Cuterebra
e. Cephenmyia

Answer 12

D

Question 13

Which of the following are effective for the treatment of clinical coccidiosis in cattle?

a. amprolium
b. metronidazole
c. decoquinate
d. a and b
e. all three drugs listed

Answer 13

A

Question 14

Pigs become infected with the thorny-headed worm, Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus,
upon:
a. ingestion of free L3 from the environment
b. skin penetration by L3 from the environment
c. ingestion of L3 in larvated eggs from the environment
d. ingestion of an infected beetle containing a cystacanth stage
e. ingestion of L1 in the fresh feces of a fellow pig

Answer 14

D

Question 15

Lice infestations on cattle are more common in the:

a. winter
b. spring
c. summer
d. fall
e. there is no seasonal pattern to louse infestation

Answer 15

A

Question 16

Cats infected with Dirofilaria immitis:
a. routinely develop severe reactions to administration of monthly heartworm
preventatives due to rapid death of microfilaria
b. are usually microfilaremic, allowing diagnosis via Knott or filter test or examination of a
wet mount of whole blood
c. occasionally develop disease due to aberrant migration of the worms, including to the
central nervous system or ocular tissues
d. often harbor large numbers (>50) of adult worms
e. have not been shown to develop any significant clinical disease due to infection

Answer 16

C

Question 17

Which of the following drugs is effective for treating Giardia and has the least toxicity
problems associated with its use in dogs and cats?
a. ivermectin
b. milbemycin
c. metronidazole
d. albendazole
e. fenbendazole

Answer 17

E

Question 18

Fecal flotation on a 4-year-old intact male cat reveals this
parasite ova (hooks). What clinical disease is this parasite most commonly
associated with?
a. cystitis
b. neurologic disease (circling, ataxia)
c. respiratory disease
d. vomiting
e. anemia

Answer 18

E

Question 19

A rabbit with a severe ear infection caused by mites is brought to your clinic. The organism
most likely responsible is
a. Psoroptes cuniculi
b. Otodectes cynotis
c. Knemidocoptes mutans
d. Sarcoptes scabiei
e. Polyplax serrata

Answer 19

A

Question 20

Anthelmintic resistance has been widely documented to occur in small strongyles (=

cyathostomes) of horses with which of the following dewormers?
a. pyrantel
b. fenbendazole
c. ivermectin
d. moxidectin
e. a and b

Answer 20

E

Question 21

What arthropods are commonly known to transmit Anaplasma marginale between cattle in
the United States?
a. Dermacentor ticks
b. Tabanus horse flies
c. biting midges (Culicoides)
d. mosquitoes
e. a and b

Answer 21

E

Question 22

A dog presents with severe pruritus. Alopecia, erythematous skin, and hyperkeratosis are
evident on the lateral elbows, lateral hocks, and the margins of the pinna. The dog scratches
himself repeatedly during your examination, but otherwise appears healthy. What diagnostic test
should you perform first?
a. skin scrape
b. fecal flotation
c. fecal sedimentation
d. urinalysis with sediment examination
e. complete blood count and serum chemistry panel

Answer 22

A

Question 23

In recent years, several commercially-available equine dewormers have been modified to
include praziquantel. What was responsible for this change?
a. new data demonstrating the clinical association between trematodes and colic
b. new data demonstrating the clinical association between tapeworms and colic
c. new data describing trematodes as a parasite of horses
d. new data describing tapeworms as a parasite of horses
e. recognition of widespread anthelmintic resistance in equine nematodes to the
avermectin dewormers (ivermectin, moxidectin, etc…)

Answer 23

B

Question 24

A litter of 2-week-old kittens presents covered with a huge number of fleas. The kittens are
hypothermic, have pale mucous membranes, and appear moribund. Which of the following would
not be an appropriate means of managing these kittens:
a. apply high concentration spot on pyrethrin (45-65%) residual flea control product to
each kitten
b. keep the kittens warm by placing on a circulating-water heating pad
c. check PCV and consider blood transfusion if indicated
d. immediately remove fleas via flea comb and gentle shampoo
e. administer supplemental iron and vitamin B12 to each kitten

Answer 24

A

Question 25

A client brought in these nematodes after his 6-year-old
spayed female indoor/outdoor cat vomited them onto the
kitchen floor this morning. How did the cat most likely
become infected?
a. transplacental transmission from the queen as a
kitten
b. transmammary transmission from the queen as a
kitten
c. ingestion of an insect intermediate host or
vertebrate paratenic host
d. ingestion of larvated egg from the enviroment
e. ingestion of the third-stage larvae from the vomit of another cat

Answer 25

C

Question 26

Dogs acquire infection with Hepatozoon sp. upon:

a. tick bite
b. flea bite
c. ingestion of infected ticks
d. ingestion of infected fleas
e. none of the above

Answer 26

C

Question 27

A cat is infested with mites that you identify as Dermanyssus species. You ask the client:

a. Whether or not the cat has access to birds
b. Whether or not the cat is a mouse hunter
c. Whether or not the cat spends a lot of time near rabbit dens
d. Whether or not the family dog has been pruritic

Answer 27

A

Question 28

The term “measly beef” refers to the presence of:

a. eggs of Taenia saginata in muscle tissue
b. cysticerci of Taenia saginata in muscle tissue
c. sarcocysts (tissue cysts) of Sarcocystis in muscle tissue
d. tissue cysts of Toxoplasma gondii in muscle tissue
e. tissue cysts of Neospora caninum in muscle tissue

Answer 28

B

Question 29

Neospora caninum infection in cattle causes:

a. weight loss
b. bloat
c. sterility in bulls
d. abortion
e. chorioretinitis in aged (> 10 years) animals

Answer 29

D

Question 30

Infection with which of the following parasites has been associated with head tilt and ataxia in
rabbits?
a. Encephalitozoon cuniculi
b. Baylisascaris procyonis
c. Obeliscoides cuniculi
d. Passalurus ambiguous
e. a and b

Answer 30

E

Question 31

A 2-year-old indoor/outdoor neutered male cat presents with
lethargy, depression, and anorexia of two days duration.
Physical examination reveals a profoundly icteric, moribund cat
with pale mucous membranes and severe dehydration. These
organisms were found on blood smear. As you explain your
treatment plan and prognosis to the client, she asks if there is
anything she can do to protect her four other cats at home from
becoming infected. What do you recommend?
a. prevent ingestion of rodents and rabbits
b. flea control, including keeping cats indoors and on
highly effective flea control products
c. tick control, including keeping cats indoors and on
highly effective tick control products
d. prevent ingestion of birds
e. administer a monthly heartworm preventative with intestinal parasite control

Answer 31

C

Question 32

Control of Potomac horse fever in unvaccinated horses includes:
a. administering prophylactic doses of praziquantel to control the vector flukes
b. routine application of insecticides to horses to prevent feeding by flies
c. administering prophylactic doses of penicillin antibiotics to control the Neorickettsia
(= Ehrlichia) risticii
d. avoiding aquatic habitats that may be more likely to harbor infected trematodes
e. protecting feed and water from possible contamination with opossum feces

Answer 32

D

Question 33

A five-year-old horse presents with tail rubbing and anal pruritus. You suspect infection with
the equine pinworm, Oxyuris equi. What diagnostic test is preferred to recover the eggs of this
parasite?
a. direct smear
b. passive fecal flotation with sodium nitrate
c. centrifugal fecal flotation with sugar solution
d. fecal sedimentation
e. scotch tape test

Answer 33

E

Question 34

Treatment of dogs with severe, generalized demodectic mange should always include:

a. antibiotics
b. anti-mite agents
c. anti-fungal agents
d. antibiotics and anti-mite agents
e. anti-fungal agents and anti-mite agents

Answer 34

D

Question 35

A litter of 2-week-old puppies presents with acute lethargy. On physical examination the
puppies are moribund, cold, and have markedly pale mucous membranes. You suspect acute
anemia due to hookworm infection. The next step in managing these puppies is:
a. prophylactically deworm with pyrantel pamoate
b. perform a fecal flotation and only deworm if eggs are detected
c. perform CBC, serum chemsitry, U/A, and abdominal radiographs on each pup
d. hold for quiet observation for 48 hours to monitor progression of disease
e. bathe each puppy to insure ectoparasites are eliminated

Answer 35

A

Question 36

These eggs were found on fecal flotation from a 10-year-old
spayed female indoor/outdoor cat. Is this an unusual diagnosis?
a. no, this parasite is commonly seen in both kittens and
adult cats
b. yes, this parasite is extremely rare in cats in the United
States
c. yes, this cat is likely immunocompromised and thus the
immunity that would prevent the infection has lapsed
d. yes, this parasite is generally only found in kittens
e. no, this parasite is commonly seen in the feces of coprophagic cats that ingest
the eggs in the feces of another animal

Answer 36

A

Question 37

What aspect of the life cycle of Habronema and Draschia spp. accounts for the seasonal
pattern seen in cutaneous habronemiasis, or summer sores, in affected horses?
a. the bacterial organisms which cause the secondary infections responsible for
the lesions only flourish in the humid summer months
b. the larval stages of these nematodes become hypobiotic in the winter and are
thus less irritating to horses
c. the ticks which transmit these parasites are only active in the summer months
d. the activity of the muscid flies which serve as vector and intermediate host of
these nematodes is greatly reduced in the winter months
e. horses are ridden less in the winter months and thus the abrasive sores are
less likely to develop

Answer 37

D

Question 38

You examine an adult Himalayan cat who has just returned from Panama with his owner.
The cat has a persistent, draining wound on the right lateral flank. You sedate the cat to clip the
hair and examine the wound and discover several fly larvae, each ~ 1 cm long and bearing two
distinct pigmented tracheal trunks. What parasite is this?
a. Calliphora vomitoria
b. Haematobia irritans
c. Felicola subrostratus
d. Sarcophaga carnaria
e. Cochliomyia hominovorax

Answer 38

E

Question 39

Which of the following antiparasitic agents is most suitable for use against immature stages
of Fasciola hepatica?
a. fenbendazole
b. ivermectin
c. praziquantel
d. albendazole
e. clorsulon

Answer 39

E

Question 40

A 4-year-old neutered male outdoor cat from Florida
presents with a 2-week history of weight loss, vomiting, and
diarrhea. This parasite was produced in the vomitus. What
is the most appropriate treatment? (tapeworm)
a. ivermectin
b. fenbendazole
c. selamectin
d. praziquantel
e. milbemycin oxime

Answer 40

D

Question 41

An 8-year-old mixed breed mare presents with head shaking and aural irritation due to the
presence of several heavily-spined nymphal soft ticks in both ears. What parasite is this?
a. Ixodes
b. Dermacentor
c. Otobius
d. Amblyomma
e. Rhipicephalus

Answer 41

C

Question 42

The short prepatent period of this nematode insures that eggs of this parasite are likely to be
the first detected in a fecal float on a young foal:
a. Oxyuris equi
b. Strongylus vulgaris
c. Parascaris equorum
d. Strongyloides westeri
e. Drashia megastoma

Answer 42

D

Question 43

A mixed breed dog that is housed outdoors on soil in a run presents with lesions on its
ventral and dorsal surfaces of all four feet, sternum, and ventral abdomen. The areas are
erythematous, thickened, and alopecic. The owner informs you that ever since the dog was
adopted two years ago from a neighbor, the dog has only had yearly routine vaccinations (rabies,
DA2PP). The organism responsible for these lesions is most likely:
a. Aelurostrongylus abstrusus
b. Ancylostoma tubaeforme
c. Protostrongylus rufescens
d. Ancylostoma caninum
e. Bunostomum phlebotomum

Answer 43

D

Question 44

A client has just returned from a winter vacation to Greece where she adopted a stray dog.
She is concerned about the multiple patches of alopecia on the dog’s face and pinnae; you also
note that the nasal planum is depigmented. With leishmaniasis as your top differential diagnosis,
which statement is the least accurate?
a. The organism is found intracellularly in erythrocytes.
b. It is unknown exactly how infection is spread from dog to dog within North America.
c. This disease is only very rarely reported in cats.
d. Horses can also suffer from the cutaneous form.
e. The incubation period can be as long as several years.

Answer 44

A

Question 45

These organisms (earmites)were found in the aural exudate from a
12-week-old kitten with a 3-day history of external otitis and
aural pruritus. Of the choices listed, what is the most
appropriate therapy?
a. an organophosphate/carbamate (e.g. fenthion,
carbaryl)
b. a benzimidazole (e.g. fenbendazole)
c. an avermectin/milbemycin (e.g. ivermectin,
milbemycin oxime, selamectin)
d. amoxicillin
e. doxycycline

Answer 45

C

Question 46

A 5-year-old intact male cat present with choleostasis and liver failure. Fecal sedimentation
reveals an operculated egg with a fully-formed miracidium. The most likely diagnosis is:
a. Fasciola hepatica
b. Platynosomum fastosum
c. Taenia taeniaeformis
d. Spirometra mansonoides
e. Dipylidium caninum

Answer 46

B

Question 47

This parasite is unusual among the trichostrongyles in that it not only infects ruminants, but
also infects many other host species including horses and pigs. It is one of the few parasites of
potential concern in a mixed-species grazing situation.
a. Cooperia punctata
b. Trichostrongylus axei
c. Haemonchus contortus
d. Nematodirus battus
e. Ostertagia ostertagi

Answer 47

B

Question 48

Foals become infected with Parascaris equorum:

a. when they ingest larvated eggs from a contaminated environment
b. transplacentally (in utero) from the somatic tissue stores in the mare
c. transmammarily (via milk) from larvae mobilized from mare somatic tissue
d. by inadvertent ingestion of insect intermediate hosts when grazing
e. by inadvertent ingestion of avian tissues in contaminated feed

Answer 48

A

Question 49

The main significance of Acanthocheilonema (=Dipetalonema) reconditum in veterinary
medicine is:
a. severe disease caused by death of microfilaria following treatment for Dirofilaria
immitis
b. pathology seen in infected fleas and future potential for biological flea control
c. severe pathology caused by migration of this subcutaneous worm
d. microfilaria are similar in appearance to those of Dirofilaria immitis and thus may
confound diagnosis
e. severe disease caused by death of subcutaneous adult nematodes following
treatment for Dirofilaria immitis

Answer 49

D

Question 50

50. Routine fecal flotation from a 4-year-old cat with no history
    of clinical disease revealed this parasite egg. Adults of this
    parasite are most likely to be found in the:
    a. esophagus
    b. nasal, tracheal, and bronchial mucosa
    c. large intestine
    d. stomach
    e. lung parenchyma

Answer 50

B

Question 51

Although now rarely seen in managed horses, the migrating larvae of this large strongyle can
cause severe inflammation in the wall of the cranial mesenteric artery, and this nematode was, at
one time, the most commonly diagnosed cause of equine colic:
a. Strongylus minor
b. Strongylus edentatus
c. Strongylus equinus
d. Strongylus cyathostomus
e. Strongylus vulgaris

Answer 51

E

Question 52

You perform rectal palpation on a 2-year-old standardbred horse with a history of acute
diarrhea and colic. When you withdraw your arm you notice several bright red larval worms
wriggling around on the palpation sleeve. What equine nematodes are most likely responsible?
a. ascarids (Parascaris equorum)
b. large strongyles (Strongylus spp)
c. small strongyles (cyathostomes)
d. pinworms (Oxyuris equi)
e. threadworms (Strongyloides westeri)

Answer 52

C

Question 53

A 5-month-old spaniel puppy vomits a mass of thick stout white nematodes. On close
inspection, you note the presence of three lips at the anterior end of each of the worms. What
parasite is this most likely to be?
a. Toxocara canis
b. Toxocara cati
c. Toxascaris leonina
d. Ancylostoma caninum
e. Trichuris vulpis

Answer 53

A

Question 54

Which of the following nematodes is free-living by nature, but occasionally causes
opportunistic infections associated with dermatitis in animals?
a. Rhabditis
b. Physaloptera
c. Gongylonema
d. Toxascaris
e. Dioctophyme

Answer 54

A

Question 55

A dog that chases and eats wild rabbits is most likely to become infected with which
cestode?
a. Echinococcus granulosus
b. Taenia saginata
c. Diphyllobothrium latum
d. Dipylidium caninum
e. Taenia pisiformis

Answer 55

E

Question 56

A pigeon presents with a 1-week history of anorexia and weight loss. Accumulations of a
white, caseous exudate are present in the oral cavity. A wet mount of this material reveals
several pear-shaped flagellated protozoa with an undulating membrane. The most likely
diagnosis is:
a. Trichinella
b. Trichosomoides
c. Trichostrongylus
d. Trichomonas
e. Trypanosoma

Answer 56

D

Question 57

In recent years, several outbreaks of trichinosis in humans have been associated with
ingestion of undercooked meat from horses containing infective larvae of Trichinella spiralis. The
Trichinella infection in the horses likely resulted from unusual management practices prior to
market; horses are not considered a likely natural host for Trichinella spp. because they are:
a. not arctic in origin
b. not marsupials
c. mammals
d. monogastric
e. herbivores

Answer 57

E

Question 58

This parasite was found on fecal flotation from a newly-acquired
kitten with diarrhea. After you present your treatment plan, the clients
ask if their dogs are also at risk of developing disease due to infection
with this parasite. You respond:
a. no, this parasite is species specific and only infects cats
b. yes, but because this parasite requires an intermediate
host to develop to the infectious stage, direct transmission
from the kitten to the dogs is unlikely
c. yes, this parasite transmits freely between dogs and cats
d. as long as the dogs are on a monthly heartworm preventative that also
controls intestinal parasites they should be safe from infection
e. as long as they prevent the dogs from ingesting cat feces from the litter box
the dogs should be safe from infection

Answer 58

A

Question 59

Differentiation between a tick larva and a tick nymph is best achieved how?
a. A tick larva has eight legs and a nymph has six.
b. A tick larva has six legs and a nymph has eight.
c. The chelicerae are not present on a tick larva.
d. A tick larva is only found in the environment and never on an animal.
e. A tick larva has only an anal pore while both an anal and genital pore are
present in a nymph.

Answer 59

B

Question 60

Which of the following drugs would be the best choice for the treatment of a Fasciola
hepatica infection in a pregnant beef cow?
a. albendazole
b. fenbendazole
c. eprinomectin
d. clorsulon
e. praziquantel

Answer 60

D

Question 61

An 8-year-old dairy cow presents with nodular lesions on
her neck from which a caseous material is expressed.
Microscopic examination of the material reveals these
organisms. You recommend:
a. no treatment because this is a self-limiting and noncontagious
condition
b. isolate the affected cow and immediately report to
state and federal veterinarians
c. cull the affected cow to prevent spread through the
herd
d. treat with a single application of a pour-on avermectin
e. aggressively treat every 2 weeks for several months to prevent spread through the
herd

Answer 61

A

Question 62

Which of the following helminths is rare in cats in the continental United States:

a. Dipylidium caninum
b. Ancylostoma tubaeforme
c. Toxocara cati
d. Trichuris felis
e. Taenia taeniaeformis

Answer 62

D

Question 63

You examine a pruritic pig with crusting hyperkeratotic lesions on the pinna of both ears.
You confirm your intial diagnosis with a microscopic examination of a skin scrape. What
treatment is most likely to be effective?
a. lincomycin
b. fenbendazole
c. ivermectin
d. metronidazole
e. toltrazuril

Answer 63

C

Question 64

A five-year old intact female Labrador retriever presents for routine spay. At laparotomy, a
stout red nematode nearly 1 meter in length is found free in the abdominal cavity. What parasite
is this?
a. Dioctophyme renale
b. Dipylidium caninum
c. Dipetalonema reconditum
d. Dirofilaria immitis
e. Diphyllobothrium latum

Answer 64

A

Question 65

Which of the following types of adult cattle are, as a group, most likely to be infected with the
causative agent of bovine trichomoniasis?
a. bulls > 4 years of age
b. cows
c. steers
d. virgin heifers
e. a and b

Answer 65

E

Question 66

Horse bot flies (Gasterophilus spp.) adhere their eggs to the
hair shafts of horses. Where in the horse are the larvae of
Gasterophilus spp. found?
a. nasal cavity
b. ileocecal junction
c. stomach
d. subcutaneous cysts on the dorsum
e. subcutaneous cysts on the vental aspect of the neck

Answer 66

C

Question 67

A 9-year-old spayed female indoor-only cat is brought to your clinic because the client is 4
months pregnant and concerned about toxoplasmosis. Which of the following is not an
appropriate course of action:
a. submit a serum sample from the cat for a Toxoplasma gondii titer and
recommend euthanizing the cat if the titer is positive
b. instruct the client to only eat thoroughly cooked meat
c. encourage the client to continue to keep the cat indoors and prevent the cat
from ingesting any wildlife that may serve as reservoir hosts
d. instruct the client that she should not feed raw meat to her cat
e. encourage the client to have someone else change the litterbox for the
duration of her pregnancy

Answer 67

A

Question 68

Which organ is most commonly affected in cats that develop disease due to infection with
Dirofilaria immitis?
a. liver
b. lung
c. kidney
d. central nervous system
e. skeletal muscle

Answer 68

B

Question 69

Disease caused by cyathostomes, or small strongyles, in horses generally results from:
a. larval irritation in the skin resulting in seasonal dermatitis, commonly referred to as
“summer sores”
b. extensive migration of larvae throughout the liver, lungs, and kidneys of infected
horses
c. aggressive blood feeding activity of the adult worms
d. tracheal and bronchial irritation due to presence of adult worms in the airways
e. emergence of encysted larvae from the intestinal mucosa

Answer 69

E

Question 70

What diagnostic test is best able to detect eggs in the feces of a 1-week-old puppy infected
with ascarids and hookworms?
a. sodium nitrate fecal flotation
b. zinc sulfate fecal flotation with centrifugation
c. direct smear
d. fecal sedimentation
e. none of these methods because eggs will not be present

Answer 70

E

Question 71

Toxoplasma gondii can be transmitted to people via:

a. casual contact with an infected intermediate host
b. casual contact with a cat
c. ingestion of undercooked meat
d. ingestion of unwashed fruits and vegetables
e. c and d

Answer 71

E

Question 72

Puppies that die at 2 days of age because of large numbers of larval nematodes migrating
and molting in their lungs are most likely infected with which parasite?
a. Toxascaris leonina
b. Trichuris vulpis
c. Trichostrongylus axei
d. Toxocara canis
e. Physaloptera

Answer 72

D

Question 73

Moneizia spp. are not known to cause any disease or production loss in infected cattle.
However, if treatment is desired, which of the following drugs would be expected to remove these
parasites from infected cattle?
a. ivermectin
b. eprinomectin
c. doramectin
d. albendazole
e. dichlorvos

Answer 73

D

Question 74

The currently-available monthly heartworm preventatives protect dogs from acquiring
infection with adult heartworms by:
a. killing any larvae that may have been acquired by the dog in the preceding 30-day
period
b. providing complete protection against any newly-introduced larval worms for more
than 30 days following treatment
c. rendering the adult worms sterile, thereby preventing production of additional worms in
an infected dog
d. altering the pheromone profile of treated dogs thereby discouraging feeding by vector
mosquitoes
e. serving as a microfilaricide, thereby eliminating young worms before they are able to
develop to adults in a treated dog

Answer 74

A

Question 75

You examine a herd of longhorn cattle in southern Texas with skin lesions. Affected animals
have profound hyperkeratotic lesions on their neck, brisket, and ventral abdomen and have lost
weight and condition since this dermatitis developed. A skin scrape reveals Sarcoptes scabiei
var bovis. What is the appropriate way to manage these cows?
a. immediately report your findings to appropriate state and federal authorities
b. no treatment is needed since this is a self-limiting condition and the animals
will develop immunity and self-cure
c. treat the affected animals with a single application of a pour-on avermectin
d. treat the affected animals with a single application of a pyrethrin/pyrethroid
e. treat the affected animals with a single application of an organophosphate

Answer 75

A

Question 76

Which of the following biting flies have been implicated as a biological vector of African horse
sickness?
a. Anopheles
b. Culex
c. Culicoides
d. Aedes
e. Musca

Answer 76

C

Question 77

A four-year-old mixed breed dog housed in a small, dirt-floored pen presents with a history of
weight loss, diarrhea, and tenesmus. The feces is soft and contains bright red blood. What
parasite is most likely to cause the symptoms described?
a. Dipylidium caninum
b. Ancylostoma caninum
c. Toxocara canis
d. Trichuris vulpis
e. Taenia pisiformis

Answer 77

D

Question 78

Neurocystocercosis develops in people following ingestion of eggs of Taenia solium found in:

a. undercooked meat of infected pigs
b. feces of infected pigs
c. feces of infected cows
d. feces of infected people
e. undercooked meat from infected cows

Answer 78

D

Question 79

A client who just recently established a dairy herd is concerned about the high incidence of
pinkeye among her cows. You tell her that the insect that transmits the infectious agent,
Moraxella bovis, is Musca autumnalis. Which of the following is not true about Musca
autumnalis?
a. Adult Musca autumnalis are similar in general appearance to house flies (Musca
domestica).
b. The adult feeds on tears, saliva, nasal mucus, and blood.
c. Numbers can be controlled by piling manure into heaps to increase fermentation.
d. Permethrins can be used topically for control.
e. The eggs are laid on the cow’s face along the eyelid margin.

Answer 79

E

Question 80

The most complete medical treatment for a cat infected with Dipylidium caninum is:

a. praziquantel, imidacloprid
b. praziquantel, pyrantel
c. pyrantel, fenbendazole
d. pyrantel, imidacloprid
e. fipronil, ivermectin

Answer 80

A

Question 81

Which of the following products is appropriate pharmacotherapy for equine protozoal
myeloencephalitis?
a. metronidazole
b. nitazoxanide
c. ponazuril
d. fenbendazole
e. b and c

Answer 81

E

Question 82

A 3-year-old intact male terrier presents with pale
mucous membranes and lethargy. Blood smear reveals
large, paired piroplasms within erythrocytes. What is the
most appropriate pharmacotherapy?
a. enrofloxacin
b. ivermectin
c. sulfadimethoxine
d. imidocarb
e. amoxicillin

Answer 82

D

Question 83

Ostertagia ostertagi is the most important nematode parasite of cattle. This nematode
causes disease in cattle primarily by:
a. blood loss from wounds in the abomasum left by feeding adult worms
b. destruction of the abomasal glands due to larval growth within these glands
c. intestinal inflammation resulting from secretion of toxins from adult worms
d. destruction of the liver, spleen, and sometimes kidneys as larvae migrate through the
body before returning to the abomasum to complete their development
e. destruction of the small intestinal mucosa, particularly in the duodenum, due to
extensive larval migration in the mucosa

Answer 83

B

Question 84

A 5-year-old neutered male golden retriever from Oregon with a history of salmon
consumption presents with high fever, lethargy, diarrhea, and generalized lymphadenopathy.
Fecal sedimentation examination reveals small operculated eggs. What is the most appropriate
pharmacotherapy?
a. ivermectin
b. doramectin
c. doxycycline
d. pyrantel
e. lincomycin

Answer 84

C

Question 85

Neonatal porcine diarrhea develops subsequent to infection with:

a. Isospora suis
b. Eimeria porci
c. Eimeria scabra
d. Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus
e. Stephanurus dentatus

Answer 85

A

Question 86

Thelazia, an eyeworm of cattle and horses that is occasionally found in small animals, is
transmitted via:
a. mosquitoes
b. sandflies
c. ticks
d. keds
e. muscid flies

Answer 86

E

Question 87

Dogs acquire infection with Sarcocystis sp. via:
a. ingestion of sporulated oocyst from the
environment
b. ingestion of infected tick
c. ingestion of intermediate host containing sarcocyst
in muscle
d. ingestion of naked sporocyst from the environment
e. tick bite

Answer 87

C

Question 88

Lesions due to infection with Ascaris suum include:

a. bilateral ocular opacities
b. fistulous tracts on the skin overlying the tail head
c. milk spot lesions in the liver due to scarring
d. laryngeal scarring causing abnormal vocalizations
e. grossly thickened renal capsule and necrosis of perirenal fat

Answer 88

C

Question 89

Flea allergy dermatitis in dogs characteristically appears:

a. in the webbed area between the first and second toe
b. in the axillary region
c. around the eyes and mouth
d. on the internal surface of the pinna
e. at the base of the tail

Answer 89

E

Question 90

You examine a herd of beef cattle with an afebrile respiratory disease that has not responded
to antibiotics. Several of the younger animals are coughing. You suspect infection with a
respiratory parasite. What diagnostic test would be most likely to reveal evidence of infection with
the most likely parasitic etiologic agent?
a. direct smear for motile protozoa
b. blood antigen test
c. Baermann exam for larvae in feces
d. fecal float for ascarid eggs
e. fecal sedimentation for trematode eggs

Answer 90

C

Question 91

Infection of sheep and goats with Bunostomum would be expected to cause:

a. abortion storms
b. clinically inapparent respiratory disease
c. severe central nervous system disease
d. anemia
e. mucopurulent ocular and nasal discharge

Answer 91

D

Question 92

Decoquinate is continually fed to confined poultry in order to control:

a. Leucocytozoon spp
b. Isospora spp.
c. Ascaridia spp.
d. Trichomonas gallinae
e. Eimeria spp..

Answer 92

E

Question 93

Which tick of dogs is also referred to as the “kennel tick” because it can survive inside homes
and kennels, creating an indoor source of infestation for dog:
a. Rhipicephalus sanguineus, the brown dog tick
b. Amblyomma americanum, the lone star tick
c. Dermacentor variabilis, the American dog tick
d. Ixodes scapularis, the black-legged tick
e. Amblyomma maculatum, the Gulf Coast tick

Answer 93

A

Question 94

The preferred method for detecting the larvae of Aelurostrongylus abstrusus in cats is:

a. fecal sedimentation
b. fecal filtration
c. Baermann examination of feces
d. direct smear of feces
e. thoracic radiographs

Answer 94

C

Question 95

You necropsy a turkey and find target-shaped circular areas of necrosis in the liver and
caseous cores in the ceca. What is the most likely diagnosis?
a. Ascaridia gallinae
b. Histomonas meleagridis
c. Eimeria meleagridis
d. Tyzzeria pernicoiosa
e. Trichomonas gallinae

Answer 95

B

Question 96

A 3-year-old spayed female outdoor cat presents with
respiratory distress. Thoracic radiographs reveal 3 large, distinct
pulmonary cysts. Operculate eggs are found on fecal
sedimentation. The most appropriate treatment is:
a. praziquantel
b. thoracotomy to allow complete surgical excision of
the cystic masses
c. pyrantel
d. ivermectin
e. melarsomine dihydrochloride

Answer 96

A

Question 97

Several elk and moose in a mixed-species hoof stock exhibit at a wildlife park develop
neurologic disease, including ataxia and torticollis. However, the white-tailed deer in the exhibit
are all normal. You suspect a nematode may be responsible. If so, how did the animals become
infected?
a. ingestion of snail or slug intermediate hosts infected with third-stage larvae (L3)
b. ingestion of first-stage larvae (L1) shed in feces of infected deer
c. ingestion of third-stage larvae (L3) free on pasture
d. skin penetration by first-stage larvae (L1) shed in feces of infected deer
e. skin penetration of third-stage larvae (L3) free on pasture

Answer 97

A

Question 98

You examine a herd of goats with pale mucous membranes and submandibular edema.
Necropsy examination of one goat reveals nematodes in the abomasum with a characteristic
spirally-striped, “barber pole” appearance. What parasite is this most likely to be?
a. Teladorsagia circumcincta
b. Trichostrongylus colubriformis
c. Haemonchus contortus
d. Nematodirus battus
e. Cooperia punctata

Answer 98

C

Question 99

Although variability exists between animals, lesions of flea-bite dermatitis in cats most
commonly develop on the:
a. dorsum at the base of the tail
b. neck
c. pinna of the ears
d. ventral pelvic area
e. lateral elbows and lateral hocks

Answer 99

B

Question 100

Examination of a direct smear from fresh diarrheic feces of a kitten revealed several motile
nematode larvae, each ~ 300 microns long, with a distinct rhabditiform esophagus. The most
appropriate treatment for this parasite is:
a. metronidazole
b. fenbendazole
c. praziquantel
d. piperazine
e. epsiprantel

Answer 100

B