Clinical Pathology and Diagnostics Flashcards
7 cards from real DVM practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Clinical Pathology and Diagnostics flashcards as text
A dog has a prolonged APTT with a normal PT. Which coagulation factor deficiency is most consistent with this pattern?
Answer: Factor VIII deficiency (hemophilia A)
Factor VIII is part of the intrinsic pathway (measured by APTT only), so its deficiency prolongs APTT while PT remains normal.
A dog's serum biochemistry shows a markedly elevated GGT with mild ALT elevation. Which condition is most associated with this pattern in dogs?
Answer: Biliary disease or cholestasis
GGT is a sensitive marker of cholestasis and biliary disease in dogs; marked elevation with modest ALT suggests primary biliary rather than hepatocellular pathology.
A feline tracheal wash yields a smear with many eosinophils and Curschmann's spirals. What condition does this suggest?
Answer: Feline asthma (allergic bronchitis)
Eosinophilic airway inflammation with Curschmann's spirals (mucus plugs from small airways) is characteristic of feline allergic bronchitis (asthma).
On urinalysis of a dog with suspected diabetes mellitus, which combination of findings is most expected?
Answer: USG 1.050, glucosuria, ketonuria, proteinuria
Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus causes glucosuria and, in ketoacidosis, ketonuria; USG is often high due to glucosuria acting as an osmotic agent.
A dog has a serum calcium of 14.5 mg/dL and a PTH-rP level that is markedly elevated. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Answer: Humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy
PTH-related protein (PTH-rP) is secreted by neoplasms (commonly anal sac apocrine gland adenocarcinoma and lymphoma) and is the leading cause of humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy.
Which reticulocyte response indicates adequate regeneration following acute hemorrhage in a dog?
Answer: Absolute reticulocyte count >80,000/µL
An absolute reticulocyte count above 80,000/µL is generally considered indicative of an adequate regenerative response in dogs.
A horse has pleural fluid analysis showing a cloudy yellow effusion with total protein 5.0 g/dL, nucleated cells 25,000/µL, and intracellular bacteria on cytology. What is the diagnosis?
Answer: Septic pleuritis (pleuropneumonia)
High protein, markedly elevated neutrophil counts, and intracellular bacteria in equine pleural fluid confirm septic pleuritis, most often due to Streptococcus or Pasteurella spp.