VetPrep Flashcards
What tumor type is a cat predisposed to developing at vaccination sites?
Fibrosarcoma
Several beef cows present with a history of decreased appetite and excessive salivation. On physical exam, their tongues are firm on palpation, nodular, and painful
a) what is your top DDX
b) What is your recommendation to the owner?:
1 - Begin therapy with an aminoglycoside
2 - Change feed and treat
3 - Isolate animals at once
4 - Isolate affected animals and submit one of them for necropsy

a) actinobacillosis
b) 2 - change feed and treat
explanation: The correct answer is to change feed and begin treatment of the animals affected with woody tongue, as the response is often good. Sodium iodide and antibiotics are effective. Given the presentation and clinical signs these animals have probably begun to ingest very rough and stemmed (scabrous) feed items which have injured their mouths. Upon injury, the normal inhabitant Actinobacillus lignieresii invades the soft tissues and causes the characteristic woody tongue granulomatous inflammation. These animals don’t have rabies, and there is no need to cull them. Change feed before additional animals are affected. Do not use aminoglycosides as they have an extremely long withdrawal period.
A 13-year old spayed female Miniature Poodle presents with two mobile, soft, well-circumscribed, subcutaneous sternal masses, 3 cm and 6 cm in diameter, respectively. The owner had noticed one mass three months previously. Fine needle aspiration of both masses is performed and smears are prepared. A representative field of both specimens is illustrated below (Wright’s 20X). What is your diagnosis?
- a) Mesenchymal neoplasia (sarcoma)
- b) Fungal granuloma
- c) Lipoma
- d) Mast cell tumor

c) lipoma
Explanation: The cells depicted are well-differentiated adipocytes. These cells are large, appear in aggregates or sometimes singly, and contain fat that stains negatively with Wright’s, such that the cytoplasm appears clear. The cells possess a small, round or ovoid, pyknotic nucleus that may be compressed and located in the periphery of the cell. This benign tumor is a lipoma, which is common in dogs. If the mass hinders the animal, it may be removed surgically. Infiltrative lipomas, and their malignant counterpart, liposarcomas, are less common.
When sampling for cytology, frequently the first indication that a lipoma has been aspirated is the clear, oily appearance of the material ejected from the aspiration needle onto the slide. Care must be taken while staining to ensure that the material does not wash off the slide, as fat does not adhere readily to the glass surface.
Note: Gentle heat fixing of greasy material to a slide may be of benefit in keeping adipose cells adherent to slides during staining. This can be accomplished by holding a slide over a Bunsen burner or lighter or gentle heating on a heating tray/bar for a few seconds so that the side opposite to that containing the cellular material is slowly warmed. The slide must be left to cool completely before staining. Slides coated with poly-l-lysine, which are used for Papanicolaou staining and/or increased adherence of tissue sections to slides, are also helpful in promoting cellular adherence and eliminating loss of cells during staining.
Sometimes, local fat will be aspirated and cannot be reliably differentiated from the adipose cells of a lipoma. If there is any doubt as to the presence of a discrete mass, surgical removal with histological evaluation is recommended.
A 5-year old indoor/outdoor male neutered short hair presents for a wound on the chest. The owner noticed a hole in the skin and thought he had a ruptured abscess. On close examination of the wound, you notice a larva inside the hole. Which organism is most likely under the skin?
- a) Ctenocephalides
- b) Culicoides
- c) Cuterebra
- d) Ancylostoma

c) cuterebra
Cuterebra is a fly that lays its eggs on soil or plants. The eggs stick to the animal’s fur when they come into contact. The eggs hatch, and the larvae either penetrate the skin, are ingested when the animal grooms, or they enter the animal’s body through a natural opening, such as the nose.
I_n most cases, the larvae migrate to areas just under the skin on the head, neck, or trunk_ of the animal. In dogs, cats, and ferrets, who are not the usual hosts of this parasite, the larvae may also migrate to the brain, eye, eyelids, or throat.
As the larva grows under the skin, it produces a nodule or swelling. A small opening develops in the skin, through which it breathes. A small amount of drainage may occur around this breathing hole.
The treatment is to incise the skin if needed to remove the larva. You have to make sure to remove the larva in whole and not crush it. If it is damaged or crushed, it can cause an anaphylactic reaction.
Ctenocephalides is a flea, Ancylostoma is the hookworm, and Culicoides are tiny gnats that most often bother horses and livestock.
What is a common side effect of xylazine administration in cats?
- a) Anuria
- b) Vomiting
- c) Seizures
- d) Polycythemia
- e) Miosis
b) Vomitting
Xylazine frequently causes vomiting in cats. In fact, veterinarians use Xylazine when they wish to induce emesis in cats. It can also cause decreased PCV, mydriasis, and diuresis.
Once infected, for what period of time is canine parvovirus usually shed?
- a) 5-6 months
- b) 1-2 months
- c) 2-3 months
- d) 7-10 days
d) 7-10 days
The correct answer is 7-10 days. Canine parvovirus mainly affects puppies and young dogs less than a year of age. Transmission of the virus is through contact with infected feces and fomites such as hands, toys, the dog’s hair coat. The virus is very resilient in the environment and is resistant to many types of disinfectants. It replicates in the crypt epithelium of the gut and causes epithelial necrosis and hemorrhagic diarrhea. The virus can also affect the heart of young puppies, causing myocarditis. This occurs less commonly now since most bitches are immunized against the virus, which allows for maternal antibodies to protect young puppies from this form of the disease.
You go to a ranch to evaluate the sudden death of a bull. There is black, bloody discharge from all orifices. There is incomplete rigor mortis despite being dead for a day. What is your most likely diagnosis?
- a) Grass staggers (hypomagnésémie, tétanie d’herbage)
- b) tetanus
- c) anthrax
- d) botulism
- e) Moldy sweet clover toxicity
c) Anthrax
Anthrax is caused by Bacillus anthracis. The black blood from the orifices, incomplete rigor mortis, and acute death is very characteristic of the disease in cattle. Lesions occur in the reticuloendothelial system and vasculature. Do not perform a necropsy on the animal as you would potentially release spores into the environment. You should notify the authorities if you suspect the disease.
Coat color and sun exposure likely predisposed this cat to developing the tumor seen in the photo.
- a) Basal cell tumor
- b) Squamous cell carcinoma
- c) Mast cell tumor
- d) Melanoma

White cats or cats with areas of white fur on the face or ears are predisposed to developing squamous cell carcinoma from UV light. These lesions are usually ulcerative and appear around the nose, ears, or eyelids.
What is the main mode of transmission for feline leukemia virus?
- a) Shedding of virus via feces
- b) Shedding of virus via saliva
- c) Aerosol transmission
- d) Fomite transmission
b) Shedding of virus via saliva
The main mode of transmission is via saliva. It requires prolonged, close contact. Cats may shed the virus for months to years. Transmission may also occur through reuse of instruments and blood. Virus is shed in saliva, tears, urine, and feces.
A 6-year old intact male domestic short haired cat presents with acute onset exophthalmos of the right eye in the past 2 days. He is painful on palpation around his eye and head. The eye can be retropulsed some, but there is resistance present. He has not been eating in the past day and has a rectal temperature of 103.4F (39.7 C). What is the most likely diagnosis?
- a) Glaucoma
- b) Anterior uveitis
- c) Orbital neoplasia
- d) Retrobulbar abscess
d) Retrobulbar abscess
Acute, painful exophthalmos is usually due to retrobulbar abscessation. These lesions are usually painful and may be swollen. These animals are frequently systemically ill with fever and leukocytosis. Causes of retrobulbar abscesses include penetrating wounds, foreign bodies, spread from dental or sinus infection, and hematogenous spread. Glaucoma does not cause exophthalmos, although, chronically it can cause buphthalmos which may appear similar. Anterior uveitis also does not cause exophthalmos.
You are working with a farmer who is having trouble with calves between the age of 2 weeks and 6 months. They are alert, but weak, dyspneic and die suddenly. On necropsy they have pale cardiac and skeletal muscles. What is the farmer’s problem?
- a) Sorghum toxicity
- b) Copper deficiency
- c) Selenium deficiency
- d) Lightning strike
c) Selenium deficiency
The pale muscle and clinical signs are classic for vitamin E and selenium deficiency. This is important to remember! Other things that should be on your differential list for this case include cardiotoxic plants.
A 5-month old female cat presents to you for weight loss, chronic diarrhea and steatorrhea. The organism seen in a stained fecal smear is shown in the image below (this is a magnified 40X image, the organism is approximately 15 x 8 um). Which treatment is most appropriate
- a) Sulfadimethoxine
- b) Tylosin
- c) Penicillin
- d) Fenbendazole

d) Fenbendazole
The organism is Giardia which can be recognized as a trophozoite with two nuclei outlined by adhesive discs. Giardia should be distinguishable from trichomonads which have a single nucleus and an undulating membrane.
The best treatments for Giardia are either fenbendazole or metronidazole.
A 10-year old female spayed Siamese cat presents for a new lump the owner found a month ago. She was spayed last year before she was adopted from the shelter. The owner states that the lump has grown over the last month, and it doesn’t seem to bother the cat. On exam, the 2 cm lump is located on the left 2nd mammary gland, and no other lumps are noted. The lump is freely moveable, and chest radiographs are clear. What is the chance that this tumor is malignant?
- a) 50%
- b) 85%
- c) 5%
- d) 20%
b) 85%
70-90% of all feline mammary tumors are malignant.
Spaying a cat before 6 months of age reduces the risk for mammary tumors by 7 fold.
The statistics for dogs is a 50:50 chance of malignancy for a single mammary mass.
An 8-week old Abyssinian cat recently obtained from a cattery presents to you for an examination and the owner reports that the cat has had diarrhea. On fecal float, you find multiple structures like the one shown in the photo (see image). What should you treat the cat with?
- a) Praziquantel (Droncit)
- b) Metronidazole (Flagyl)
- c) Sulfadimethoxine (Albon)
- d) Pyrantel (Strongid)
- e) Selamectin (Revolution)
- f) Amoxicillin and clavulanate (Clavamox)

c) Sulfadimethoxine
This is an image of Isospora from a cat. Isospora are parasitic coccidia that can cause diarrhea as this cat is showing. Treatment for coccidia is usually with sulfonamides such as sulfadimethoxine or trimethoprim sulfa.
For the other drugs listed:
Droncit- Primarily for cestodes (tapeworms)
Revolution- For fleas, heartworms, hookworms, roundworms, and ear mites
Strongid- Primarily for roundworms and hookworms
Clavamox- A broad spectrum antibacterial
Metronidazole- Primarily for anaerobes, also used for giardia
A 12-year old male neutered domestic short hair cat presents for ongoing evaluation of diabetes mellitus. The cat was diagnosed 6 months ago and has continued to be markedly polyuric, polydipsic, polyphagic, and has been gaining weight. The cat is currently receiving 10 units of glargine insulin every 12 hours. On physical exam, the cat weighs 15 pounds (6.8 kg) and has an enlarged head, abdomen, and paws. What imaging modality would be most appropriate to try and prove what you suspect is causing the uncontrolled diabetes and weight gain in this cat?
a) Ultrasound of the neck
- a) Ultrasound of the neck
- b) Ultrasound of the abdomen
- c) MRI of the head
- d) Radiographs of the thorax
- e) CT of the abdomen

C) MRI of the head
This cat has the signs and symptoms of acromegaly. Acromegaly is caused by excessive growth hormone release from the pars distalis from a tumor in the pituitary gland. Excessive growth hormone causes a defect in the insulin receptors on target cells causing insulin resistant diabetes mellitus. The enlarged head, paws, abdomen, and weight gain despite uncontrolled diabetes is due to the anabolic effects of the growth hormone.
Treatment for this condition includes radiation therapy to the pituitary tumor, high doses of insulin to try and control the diabetes, and somatostatin* analogs (octreotide) to try and inhibit the release of growth hormone from the tumor. Surgical excision has been used as a form of treatment in people with pituitary tumors, but this has only been rarely reported in cats.
note (wiki): About 98% of cases of acromegaly are due to the overproduction of growth hormone by a benign tumor of the pituitary gland called an adenoma.[16] These tumors produce excessive growth hormone and compress surrounding brain tissues as they grow larger. In some cases, they may compress the optic nerves.
* Somatostatin = Growth Hormone Inhibiting Hormone, GHIH
A 36 hour foal born from a multiparous mare presents for weakness, decreased appetite, and tachycardia. On physical exam, you examine the sclera as seen in the photo. Based on the signalment and findings, what is a likely cause?
- a) Congenital iron toxicity
- b) Neonatal Isoerythrolysis
- c) Immune mediated thrombocytopenia
- d) Failure of passive transfer

B) Neonatal Isoerythrolysis
Neonatal Isoerythrolysis (NI) would be a possible cause of the icterus noted in the sclera. NI is common in multiparous mares and usually affects foals between 24-72 hours of age. NI results in hemolysis, hyperbilirubinemia, and icterus. A low packed cell volume would further support NI.
NI develops because the newborn foal expresses alloantigens on its red blood cells inherited from the sire that the mare does not have. If the mare becomes sensitized to the sire’s specific antigen, maternal antibodies are produced and absorbed by the foal soon after birth. This subsequently results in lysis of the red blood cells.
You examine a very ill 4-year old Holstein dairy cow on a large commercial dairy. She freshened one week ago and was producing well, until she was found down and unwilling to rise this morning when you were called. T=103F or 39.4 C, HR=90, and RR=35. The scleral vessels are dark are enlarged, her rumen is fairly empty and the motility is poor, and she appears too weak to rise. Rectal exam reveals an involuting uterus which can be retracted, discharging a brownish red mucoid non-odorous lochia through the vagina. The left rear quarter of her udder is swollen, hot, painful, and discolored (see image), and contains a serum-like secretion with clumps of fibrin in it. What is your diagnosis?
- a) Hypocalcemia (milk fever)
- b) Coliform mastitis
- c) Displaced abomasum
- d) Grain overload
- e) Metritis

B) Coliform mastitis
This is a case of severe acute coliform mastitis, and the absorbed endotoxin (LPS) is causing many of the systemic signs observed. The cow needs to be aggressively treated with IV fluids, NSAIDS, and supportive nursing. The gland should be frequently milked out. The use of both intramammary and systemic antimicrobial drugs to which most coliforms are susceptible is still controversial, but is often done in cows in a severe state of illness as in this case. While this cow may have secondary hypocalcemia, treatment with calcium needs to be approached cautiously, as endotoxic animals have very sensitive myocardium and arrest may occur if calcium is given IV. If given, preferred routes of calcium administration would be subcutaneous or oral.
A 2-year old female spayed Dachshund presents for further evaluation as a result of a mass on the pinna noted by the owner. On physical exam, the only abnormality noted was this mass. Cytology is consistent with a histiocytoma. Which of the following is the most reasonable treatment option?
- a) Benign Neglect
- b) Radical surgical excision
- c) Cryotherapy
- d) chemotherapy using lomustine
- e) Radiation therapy

A
Histiocytomas are typically benign and will often present as a small, raised mass that may or may not be ulcerated. Fortunately, these masses usually regress on their own, and surgical or medical intervention is typically not necessary.
A 4-year old female ferret presents with a history of an enlarged vulva and truncal alopecia. What is the most likely diagnosis?
- a) Adrenal tumor
- b) Hypothyroidism
- c) Sertoli cell tumor
- d) Insulinoma
A
The correct answer is adrenal tumor. These tumors are very common in middle-aged ferrets and usually secrete estradiol. Common clinical signs are hair loss, enlarged vulva, pruritus, and behavior changes. Diagnosis is made by clinical signs, ultrasound, and measurement of serum estradiol levels. Treatment is adrenalectomy.
What is the primary mode of transmission of West Nile Virus (WNV) between birds?
- a) Via Cnemidocoptes mites
- b) Via mosquitoes
- c) Via feces
- d) Via placenta
- e) Via saliva
B
Mosquito vectors are the primary mode of transmission for WNV between birds and other hosts (horses, humans). There are infrequent documented cases of the disease being spread by feces or saliva. No mites have been documented to transmit the disease. Birds do not have a placenta.
A 7-year old female spayed English Springer Spaniel presents for difficulty breathing and lethargy. Physical exam shows pale mucous membranes and increased respiratory effort. You collect blood for a complete blood count and a chemistry panel and you place a drop of blood with a drop of saline on a glass slide. After swirling the sample around, you can grossly see what is shown in the picture. What’s your diagnosis?
- a) Hemolysis
- b) Immune mediated hemolytic anemia
- c) Evan’s syndrome
- d) Vitamin K antagonist toxicity
- e) Rouleaux formations

B) Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia
The image shows a positive slide agglutination test. The dark patches in the sample are caused by antibodies attached to the surface of the erythrocytes cross linking the cells together causing these clumps. This is highly suggestive of an immune mediated reaction to antigen on the individual’s red blood cells.
Rouleaux formations are red blood cells stacked together as a result of their natural discoid shape and large surface area causing them to have an affinity for each other. They typically resemble a stack of coins or cookies.
Evan’s syndrome is an autoimmune condition characterized by an immune attack on erythrocytes, platelets, and occasionally leukocytes as well. You w_ould not be able to diagnose this on a slide agglutination test alone_.
Vitamin K antagonist toxicity with rodenticide causes a coagulopathy but should not cause hemagglutination.
A 6-month old Chocolate Labrador presents for limping and failure to gain weight. He is housed in an outdoor kennel with other hunting dogs. He is fed a large breed dry puppy food. He received his puppy shots at 8, 12, and 16 weeks old. He is quiet, alert, and responsive. His body condition score is 3/9, with rib exposure and poor fat deposition. His mucous membranes are pale pink, with a capillary refill time of 2 seconds. His heart and lungs auscult normally. No abnormalities are felt on abdominal palpation. He is an intact male, and both testicles are descended. The only abnormalities are the pads of his two front feet and left hind foot (see image) that he chews at frequently. What is diagnostic test of choice?
- A) Skin scraping
- B) Biopsy
- C) Radiograph
- D) CBC and chemistry panel
- E) fecal float

E) Fecal Float
Hookworms (Ancylostoma and Uncinaria) are intestinal parasites that suck blood and can cause anemia, enteritis, coughing during larval migration, and dermatitis. Any young dog that is failing to thrive and/or has pale mucous membranes should be tested for intestinal parasites. Hookworm dermatitis, also called Ancylostomiasis is typically seen in conditions with poor sanitation and/or in kennels.
Hookworms can be transmitted in utero, during nursing, or via 3rd stage larva penetrating the skin. The most commonly affected skin areas are the pads and interdigital spaces of the feet, but can include any surface that contacts the ground. The larva migrate through the dog’s tissues before arriving in the intestines. They cause significant anemia, failure to thrive, or sudden death in young dogs. In mild cases, deworming protocols are often enough; with severe cases blood transfusions and parenteral treatments are often necessary.
Skin scraping and impression smears of the affected skin areas are typically unrewarding for isolating parasites. A PCV/TP would show signs of anemia, but not the underlying etiology. Complete blood cell count and chemistry will often show anemia that is regenerative and an eosinophilia. Radiographs would be unrewarding in this case. A biopsy may show migrating larva if biopsied soon after trauma, however this is not a diagnostic test routinely used.
A 2-year old mare presents to you several weeks after recovering from a mild upper respiratory infection. She now presents with edema and sloughing of the legs (see image), chest and abdomen as well as mucosal petechial hemorrhages. She is sore and reluctant to move. Biopsy of the skin lesion is consistent with aseptic necrotizing vasculitis. What is the most likely diagnosis?
- a) Type I Hypersensitivity
- b) Bastard Strangles
- c) Purpura hemorrhagica
- d) Idiopathic thrombocytopenia

C) Purpura hemorrhagica
This is the clinical and histologic appearance of purpura hemorrhagica. It is a type-III hypersensitivity which is when antigen-antibody complexes accumulate, leading to disease.
Purpura hemorrhagica most commonly occurs 2-4 weeks after exposure to certain infectious agents or vaccines. This condition is most commonly seen subsequent to infection with Streptococcus equi subsp. equi or vaccination against it but it can also be associated with other pathogens, particularly respiratory pathogens including other streptococcal species and equine influenza.
Regardless of the cause, purpura hemorrhagica results from accumulation of antigen-antibody complexes that deposit on blood vessel walls and activate a strong immune response (vasculitis). The leaky blood vessels lead to hemorrhage and edema.
Bastard strangles refers to the condition when Streptococcus equi subsp. equi creates abscesses in unusual sites (other than the lymph nodes draining the throat) such as abdominal or lung lymph nodes.
Cantharidin toxicity (also known as blister beetle toxicity) leads to mucosal irritation and results in colic and cystitis. It can also lead to hypocalcemia.
Primary immune-mediated thrombocytopenia (sometimes called idiopathic thrombocytopenia) can be seen in horses but is not consistent with the necrotizing vasculitis described in the case.
Type I hypersensitivity reactions are immediate reactions (such as urticaria) invoked by an antigen or allergen.
A 2-year old nonlactating dairy cow in California has a sudden onset of head tilt and drooling. The owner also reports that she appears less active and less interested in feed than normal, and today is circling in one direction in the pen. You examine her and find T=105F (40.6 C), HR=96, and RR=32. There is ptosis, drooped ear, and weakness of the lips on the affected side. You take a lumbosacral spinal tap (see photo), and submit the CSF to your lab. The results show elevated protein and WBCs, with the cell type being mainly monocytes. The lab reports seeing some gram positive bacteria in the monocytes of the CSF. Based on these findings what is the best treatment for this condition?
- A) Enrofloxacin
- B) Penicillin
- C) Metronidazole
- D) Metoclopramide
- E) Chloramphenicol
B) Penicillin
The diagnosis is Listeriosis. Listeria monocytogenes can effectively be treated in the early stages of the disease with penicillin, ampicillin, or tetracycline. Intramuscular procaine penicillin for example has a withdrawal of 10 days for slaughter (meat) and 48 hours for milk if the animal is lactating. Other choices of approved antimicrobials would also likely be effective since L. monocytogenes is susceptible to most antimicrobials. For a list of approved animal drugs see www.farad.org/vetgram. FARAD is the United States Food Animal Residue Avoidance Databank which gives withdrawal information as well as a list of prohibited drugs. The other drugs listed as choices here are prohibited and cannot be legally used in food animals in the USA.





































