DVM Exotic Animal and Avian Medicine 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following is the correct venipuncture site most commonly used in birds for blood collection?
- Cephalic vein
- Jugular vein (Correct answer)
- Saphenous vein
- Femoral vein
Correct answer: Jugular vein
The right jugular vein is the preferred site for blood collection in birds due to its large size and accessibility.
Question 2: In chelonians (turtles and tortoises), which organ is responsible for uric acid excretion as the primary nitrogenous waste product?
- Liver
- Bladder
- Kidney (Correct answer)
- Cloaca
Correct answer: Kidney
Chelonian kidneys excrete uric acid as the primary nitrogenous waste, an adaptation that conserves water in terrestrial species.
Question 3: Proventricular Dilatation Disease (PDD) in psittacine birds is caused by which pathogen?
- Avian paramyxovirus
- Avian bornavirus (Correct answer)
- Chlamydia psittaci
- Pacheco's disease virus
Correct answer: Avian bornavirus
Avian bornavirus (ABV) is the causative agent of PDD, leading to neurologic signs and impaired proventricular motility in parrots.
Question 4: What is the most common cause of dysecdysis (retained shed) in snakes?
- Bacterial skin infection
- Vitamin A deficiency
- Inadequate environmental humidity (Correct answer)
- Ectoparasite infestation
Correct answer: Inadequate environmental humidity
Low environmental humidity is the most frequent cause of dysecdysis in snakes, preventing normal shedding of the epidermis.
Question 5: Which analgesic drug is considered safe and effective for pain management in rabbits and is commonly used post-operatively?
- Aspirin
- Acetaminophen
- Meloxicam (Correct answer)
- Ibuprofen
Correct answer: Meloxicam
Meloxicam, an NSAID, is widely used and considered safe for perioperative analgesia in rabbits at appropriate doses.
Question 6: In ferrets, which endocrine tumor is extremely common and often causes episodic weakness, ptyalism, and hypoglycemia?
- Adrenal pheochromocytoma
- Insulinoma (Correct answer)
- Thyroid adenoma
- Pituitary adenoma
Correct answer: Insulinoma
Insulinomas (pancreatic beta-cell tumors) are very common in ferrets and cause hypoglycemia, leading to weakness and seizures.
DVM Exotic Animal and Avian Medicine 1
Which of the following is the correct venipuncture site most commonly used in birds for blood collection?