NAVLE Feline Internal Medicine 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A 10-year-old DSH cat presents with polyuria, polydipsia, and a palpable ventral neck mass. Serum T4 is 8.2 µg/dL (normal 0.8–4.0). Which cardiac abnormality is most commonly associated with this condition?
- Dilated cardiomyopathy
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (Correct answer)
- Restrictive cardiomyopathy
- Pericardial effusion
Correct answer: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Hyperthyroidism in cats most commonly causes hypertrophic cardiomyopathy due to the chronotropic and inotropic effects of excess thyroid hormone.
Question 2: A cat with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 3 is found to have a blood pressure of 195/130 mmHg. Which antihypertensive is considered first-line therapy in cats?
- Atenolol
- Hydralazine
- Amlodipine (Correct answer)
- Enalapril
Correct answer: Amlodipine
Amlodipine, a calcium channel blocker, is the first-line antihypertensive in cats due to its efficacy and tolerability.
Question 3: A 7-year-old cat presents with icterus, anemia, and splenomegaly. Blood smear shows intraerythrocytic organisms. Which organism is most likely responsible?
- Bartonella henselae
- Mycoplasma haemofelis (Correct answer)
- Cytauxzoon felis
- Babesia felis
Correct answer: Mycoplasma haemofelis
Mycoplasma haemofelis (formerly Haemobartonella felis) is the most common cause of feline infectious anemia, attaching to the surface of red blood cells.
Question 4: A cat is diagnosed with diabetes mellitus. Which insulin type is currently recommended as first-line therapy in cats?
- Regular insulin (short-acting)
- NPH insulin
- Glargine insulin (long-acting) (Correct answer)
- Detemir insulin
Correct answer: Glargine insulin (long-acting)
Glargine (insulin glargine) is preferred in cats because its long, peakless action matches the feline glucose profile and facilitates diabetic remission.
Question 5: Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) wet form is characterized by accumulation of effusion. Which laboratory finding is most consistent with FIP effusion?
- Low protein (<2.5 g/dL) transudate
- High protein (>3.5 g/dL) with low cellularity and high albumin:globulin ratio
- High protein (>3.5 g/dL) with low cellularity and low albumin:globulin ratio (Correct answer)
- Hemorrhagic effusion with high RBC count
Correct answer: High protein (>3.5 g/dL) with low cellularity and low albumin:globulin ratio
FIP effusion is a high-protein (>3.5 g/dL) modified transudate with low cellularity and a low albumin:globulin ratio (<0.4), reflecting the vasculitis-driven protein leak.
Question 6: A cat presents with acute onset of hindlimb paralysis, cold limbs, and absent femoral pulses. What is the most likely diagnosis?
- Intervertebral disc disease
- Aortic thromboembolism (Correct answer)
- Fibrocartilaginous embolism
- Traumatic spinal cord injury
Correct answer: Aortic thromboembolism
Aortic thromboembolism (saddle thrombus) classically presents in cats with acute hindlimb paresis/paralysis, cold extremities, and absent femoral pulses, often secondary to cardiomyopathy.
Question 7: A 12-year-old cat with weight loss, diarrhea, and palpable intestinal thickening has a serum cobalamin of 145 ng/L (normal >290). Which diagnosis is most consistent?
- Feline pancreatitis
- Small cell (low-grade) lymphoma (Correct answer)
- Inflammatory bowel disease — eosinophilic type
- Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency
Correct answer: Small cell (low-grade) lymphoma
Small cell (low-grade) alimentary lymphoma is the most common feline intestinal tumor and frequently causes hypocobalaminemia due to ileal involvement impairing B12 absorption.
NAVLE Feline Internal Medicine 2
A 10-year-old DSH cat presents with polyuria, polydipsia, and a palpable ventral neck mass.
Serum T4 is 8.2 µg/dL (normal 0.8–4.0).
Which cardiac abnormality is most commonly associated with this condition?