Large Animal Medicine 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 Large Animal Medicine flashcards as text
A cow presents with right-sided ping on auscultation-percussion between ribs 9-12, decreased milk production, and anorexia. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Answer: Right displacement of the abomasum
Right displacement of the abomasum produces a characteristic 'ping' on auscultation-percussion over the right paralumbar fossa and is associated with decreased production and inappetence.
Which of the following is the most common cause of shipping fever (bovine respiratory disease complex) in feedlot cattle?
Answer: Mannheimia haemolytica following viral stress
Bovine respiratory disease complex most commonly results from Mannheimia haemolytica opportunistically infecting cattle stressed by viral pathogens such as BRSV, BHV-1, or PI-3.
A horse presents with acute onset of severe colic, complete absence of gut sounds, and gastric reflux of 8 liters. Rectal palpation reveals a tightly distended viscus in the right dorsal abdomen. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Answer: Small intestinal strangulating obstruction
Severe colic with gastric reflux, absent gut sounds, and a distended viscus on rectal palpation is classic for small intestinal strangulating obstruction, which rapidly progresses and requires emergency surgery.
In bovine ketosis, which metabolic parameter is MOST consistently elevated in blood?
Answer: Beta-hydroxybutyrate
Beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) is the most reliable blood marker for ketosis, with levels >1.2 mmol/L indicating subclinical ketosis and >3.0 mmol/L indicating clinical ketosis.
A ewe in late gestation is found recumbent, blind, and paddling. Blood glucose is 1.2 mmol/L. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Answer: Pregnancy toxemia
Pregnancy toxemia in ewes occurs in late gestation due to negative energy balance, resulting in hypoglycemia, ketosis, and neurologic signs.
Which nerve is most commonly damaged during dystocia in cattle, resulting in the cow being unable to extend the hind limb and knuckling at the fetlock?
Answer: Peroneal (fibular) nerve
The peroneal nerve is the most commonly damaged nerve during bovine dystocia, causing inability to extend the digit and knuckling at the fetlock while the cow can still bear weight.
A horse develops purple-red discoloration of the muzzle and coronary bands along with vesicles and erosions in the mouth after being moved to a new pasture. Which condition should be ruled out first?
Answer: Vesicular stomatitis
Vesicular stomatitis is a reportable foreign animal disease that causes vesicles and erosions on the muzzle, coronary bands, and oral mucosa in horses, and must be ruled out before considering other differentials.