AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND
COLLEGE OF VETERINARY SCIENTISTS
Sample Exam Questions
Veterinary Practice (Small Animal)
Written Examination (Component 1)
Written Paper 1 (two hours): Principles of Veterinary Practice
EIGHT (8) questions of 15 marks each with mark allocation for any sub-questions indicated.
Written Paper 2 (two hours): Applied Veterinary Practice
FOUR (4) questions of 30 marks each with mark allocation for any sub-questions indicated.
Australian and New Zealand College of
Veterinary Scientists
Membership Examination
June 2018
Veterinary Practice (Small Animal)
Paper 1
Perusal time: Fifteen (15) minutes
Time allowed: Two (2) hours after perusal
Answer ALL EIGHT (8) questions
Answer EIGHT questions each worth 15 marks ........................................total 120 marks
Veterinary Practice (Small Animal) Paper 1 Page 1 of 5
Paper 1: Veterinary Practice (Small Animal)
Answer all eight (8) questions
1. Answer all parts of this question:
a) List four (4) differential diagnosis for pleural effusion. (4 marks)
b) Briefly describe five (5) typical radiographic changes of pleural effusions.
(5 marks)
c) Briefly describe how radiography may be used to confirm suspicion of a cranial
mediastinal mass in a cat with pleural effusion. (3 marks)
d) List three (3) typical radiographic signs of a cranial mediastinal mass.
(3 marks)
2. Answer all parts of this question:
a) Outline the steps indicated for pre-operative assessment of a dog prior to
removal of a rapidly growing 1.5 cm diameter mast cell tumour from the lateral
thorax of a dog. (5 marks)
b) Name the two (2) common grading systems used for canine mast cell tumours.
(2 marks)
c) Define the recommended surgical margins for mast cell tumours. (4 marks)
d) Outline the correct advice to give to the owner of a dog following surgical
removal of a low grade mast cell tumour with clear surgical margins. (4 marks)
Continued over page
Veterinary Practice (Small Animal) Paper 1 Page 1 of 5
3. Answer both parts of this question:
a) Explain the causes and factors which contribute to recurring bacterial otitis
externa in dogs. (7 marks)
b) Outline the principles to be considered in the treatment of chronic Pseudomonas
aeruginosa otitis in dogs, including: (8 marks)
antimicrobial considerations
addressing predisposing and perpetuating factors
prognosis for resolution of signs.
4. Answer all parts of this question:
a) Outline the pathogenesis of paracetamol toxicity in cats. (3 marks)
b) List four (4) clinical signs of paracetamol toxicity in the cat. (4 marks)
c) List five (5) signs of pseudopregnancy in the bitch. (2.5 marks)
d) Outline the mechanism of action, criteria for use and potential adverse effects of
one (1) drug used to treat pseudopregnancy in bitches. (5.5 marks)
5. Answer all parts of this question:
a) Explain the meaning of ‘core vaccine’ with reference to the currently
recommended core vaccination protocols for dogs and cats in Australia and
New Zealand. (5 marks)
b) Explain why feline herpesvirus and feline calicivirus vaccines may not provide
similarly robust protection compared with other core vaccines. (5 marks)
c) Explain the current recommendation that the final core vaccine of the puppy
series be given at no earlier than 16 weeks of age. (5 marks)
Continued over page
Veterinary Practice (Small Animal) Paper 1 Page 1 of 5
6. Answer all parts of this question:
a) List five (5) written instructions to be provided to the client, which are legally
required when dispensing veterinary prescription medicines in Australia and
New Zealand. (5 marks)
b) List five (5) legal requirements to be met before dispensing, to a dog owner, a
drug not registered for use in dogs in Australia and New Zealand. (5 marks)
c) Briefly outline the registered and off-label uses of afloxolaner in the dog.
(5 marks)
7. With regard to monitoring a dog under general anaesthesia.
List five (5) observations that can be made, without the aid of electronic equipment,
and describe the information each provides about the dog’s anaesthetic depth and
physiological status. (15 marks)
8. Brachycephalic dog breeds are affected by significant phenotypic, genetic and
hereditary anatomical anomalies. A client is considering the purchase of a
brachycephalic puppy. Considering the welfare of the animals, discuss in detail the
appropriate advice to give to these clients. (15 marks)
End of paper
Veterinary Practice (Small Animal) Paper 1 Page 1 of 5
Australian and New Zealand College of
Veterinary Scientists
Membership Examination
June 2018
Veterinary Practice (Small Animal)
Paper 2
Perusal time: Fifteen (15) minutes
Time allowed: Two (2) hours after perusal
Answer ALL FOUR (4) questions
Answer FOUR questions each worth 30 marks ..........................................total 120 marks
Veterinary Practice (Small Animal) Paper 2 Page 1 of 4
Paper 2: Veterinary Practice (Small Animal)
Answer all four (4) questions
1. A seven-year-old, obese English bulldog requires dental surgery for removal of a
fractured carnassial (upper fourth premolar) tooth.
Answer all parts of this question:
a) Discuss the anaesthetic considerations for this case. In your answer, include
predictable anaesthetic complications. (10 marks)
b) Describe the surgical approach to removing the upper fourth premolar in a dog.
In this case, the tooth was healthy and viable until fractured seven days ago.
(10 marks)
c) This dog is diagnosed as having significant brachycephalic upper airway
syndrome / brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome. List the common
surgical procedures used to treat brachycephalic breeds and the potential
complications for these procedures. (10 marks)
2. An elderly cat presents with polyuria and polydipsia of several months duration.
Answer all parts of this question:
a) List the differential diagnoses for polyuria and polydipsia in cats. (5 marks)
b) Outline what information can be obtained from the history and physical
examination to help you rule in or rule out causes of polyuria and polydipsia in
the cat. (5 marks)
As part of the investigation a complete blood count (CBC), serum biochemistry
profile and urinalysis is performed (results are on the following page).
c) Interpret the laboratory results with reference to the likely diagnosis and
explanation of the polyuria and polydipsia. (15 marks)
Question 2 continued over page
Veterinary Practice (Small Animal) Paper 2 Page 2 of 4
Parameter Result Reference interval
Glucose 9.0 3.2–7.5 mmol/L
BUN 26.5 5.0–15.0 mmol/L
Creatinine 248 80–200 µmol/L
Total protein 83 60–84 g/L
Albumin 37 25–38 g/L
Globulin 46 31–52 g/L
Bilirubin, total 2 <8 µmol/L
ALT 80 19 –100 IU/L
ALP 41 5–50 IU/L
GGT 1 0–5 IU/L
Cholesterol 3.5 2.2–5.5 mmol/L
Calcium 2.4 2.1–2.8 mmol/L
Phosphate 3.1 1.0–2.3 mmol/L
Sodium 146 144–148 mmol/L
Potassium 3.4 3.7–5.4 mmol/L
Chloride 110 106–123 mmol/L
SDMA 30 0–14
Total T4 50 10–60
Parameter Result Reference interval
RBC 3.8 4.9–10.0 x1012/L
Haemoglobin 65 77–156 g/L
Haematocrit 0.17 0.25–0.48
WCC 14.3 5.5–19.0 x109/L
Neutrophils (seg) 13.2 2.0–13.0 x109/L
Lymphocytes 0.5 0.9–7.0 x109/L
Monocytes 0.4 <0.6 x109/L
Eosinophils 0.2 <1.0 x109/L
Platelets 250 200–500 x109/L
SMEAR:
RBC and WBC morphology normal - platelets clumped and adequate
Urinalysis
Appearance clear, pale yellow
Specific gravity 1.010
pH 6
Protein Trace
Glucose Negative
Ketones Negative
Bilirubin Negative
Hb Negative
SEDIMENT: no significant findings
d) Describe a rational management plan for this cat, including dietary
considerations. Justify these recommendations. (5 marks)
Continued over page
Veterinary Practice (Small Animal) Paper 2 Page 3 of 4
3. A 45 kilogram, six-year-old Bull mastiff presents with sudden onset of left hindlimb
lameness and pain localised to the left stifle.
Answer all parts of this question:
a) Describe the assessment of the stifle joint. Include the clinical examination and
any further diagnostic tests recommended. (10 marks)
b) A cranial cruciate ligament rupture is identified. List the intra-articular structures
in the canine stifle joint and one (1) main function for each structure listed.
(5 marks)
c) Identify three (3) treatment options for cranial cruciate ligament disease.
Explain which of these treatment options would give the best outcome for this
case. (5 marks)
d) Discuss an optimal analgesic plan for this dog, from the time of diagnosis until
two weeks post-operatively, including the peri-operative period. (10 marks)
4. A six-year-old, 20 kilogram crossbred male dog is presented straining to urinate over
the previous 24 hours. He can only pass a few drops of urine at a time. Abdominal
palpation reveals an enlarged, tense bladder and no other obvious abnormalities.
Answer all parts of this question:
a) Outline the diagnostic investigation indicated to determine the cause of the
dysuria. (5 marks)
a) Diagnostic investigation concludes that uroliths are present in the urethra and the
bladder. Outline the pre-anaesthetic stabilisation indicated for this dog.
(10 marks)
b) Discuss in detail the surgical procedures indicated to remove all the uroliths
within the urinary bladder and urethra. (10 marks)
c) Urolith analysis confirms the uroliths are 100% struvite. Outline the correct
advice to best prevent recurrence. (5 marks)
End of paper
Veterinary Practice (Small Animal) Paper 2 Page 4 of 4
