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NAVLE Practice Exam: Original Questions with Answers
Section 1: Canine Medicine (Questions 1–25)
Q1. A 6-year-old male Cocker Spaniel has recurrent otitis externa. Microscopic examination
of a smear of purulent ear discharge shows large numbers of rod-shaped bacteria. What is
the most likely causative organism?
A. Escherichia coli
B. Klebsiella spp
C. Pasteurella multocida
D. Pseudomonas aeruginosa
E. Staphylococcus intermedius
Answer: D
Rationale: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a common cause of chronic, recurrent otitis externa
in dogs and appears as rod-shaped bacteria on cytology .
Q2. An 82-lb (37 kg) 8-year-old male neutered German Shepherd mix is being evaluated for a
2-month history of decreased exercise tolerance. The client reports two episodes of
profound weakness on walks during the past week. The dog seems comfortable at home but
his "heart is always racing." Two years ago the dog was diagnosed with hypothyroidism and
prescribed oral levothyroxine 0.8 mg twice daily. Dosage was reevaluated one month after
initiation and was determined to be appropriate. Appetite, urination, and bowel movements
are normal. BCS is 6/9. Temp 101.2°F and HR 180 bpm. The dog is panting. Pulse deficits are
occurring 3-5x/min. CBC, serum chemistry, and urinalysis are WNL. Which of the following is
the most likely cause of episodic weakness in this dog?
A. Decreased cardiac output
B. Electrolyte imbalance
C. Neurogenic weakness
D. Osteoarthritis
E. Ventilation
Answer: A
Rationale: The dog has tachycardia with pulse deficits, indicating an arrhythmia (likely atrial
fibrillation), which causes decreased cardiac output and episodic weakness .
Q3. A 9-month-old intact male Siberian Husky dog is being evaluated because of a cough of
2 weeks' duration. The cough is nonproductive and worse at night. The dog is bright, alert,
and responsive. Thoracic auscultation reveals harsh lung sounds. Thoracic radiographs show
a diffuse interstitial pattern. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Kennel cough
B. Pneumonia
C. Heartworm disease
, 2
D. Pulmonary edema
E. Tracheal collapse
Answer: A
Rationale: Kennel cough (infectious tracheobronchitis) is common in young dogs, presents
with a nonproductive cough, and is often worse at night .
Q4. A 2-year-old spayed female indoor/outdoor Singapura cat has had several episodes of
facial pruritus for the past two weeks. Vaccinations are up-to-date and the cat is on a
monthly regimen of topical imidacloprid. Examination of the skin shows linear ulcers along
the ventral aspects of both mandibles and miliary scabs on the ventral and lateral aspects of
the neck. The remainder of the dermis appears normal. Deep and surface skin scrapings and
dermatophyte culture are negative. Which of the following is the most appropriate next
diagnostic step?
A. Serum allergy testing
B. Thyroid function testing
C. Trial of hypoallergenic diet
D. Trial of IM methylprednisolone
E. Trial of intramuscular cyclosporine
Answer: C
Rationale: The presentation is consistent with feline allergic dermatitis (possibly food
allergy). A hypoallergenic diet trial is the appropriate next step after ruling out parasites and
dermatophytes .
Q5. A 4-year-old male neutered cat is in shock 2 hours after sustaining a small wound in the
left flank and a larger wound on the lower right side just caudal to the 13th rib. A projectile
injury is suspected. Which of the following is most likely to result from these injuries?
A. Peritonitis
B. Pneumomediastinum
C. Pneumothorax
D. Pyothorax
E. Spinal fracture
Answer: A
Rationale: The wound location (caudal to the 13th rib) suggests penetration into the
abdominal cavity, making peritonitis the most likely complication .
Q6. A 12-year-old spayed female Siamese cat is being evaluated because of poor BCS, weight
loss, and polydipsia. CBC shows mild non-regenerative anemia, lymphopenia, and
neutropenia. What test is most likely to help establish a diagnosis?
A. Blood culture
B. Bone marrow aspiration
, 3
C. Coombs test
D. FIP titer
E. Toxoplasma titer
Answer: B
Rationale: Pancytopenia (anemia, lymphopenia, neutropenia) in a cat warrants bone marrow
aspiration to evaluate for bone marrow disease .
Q7. A 12-year-old spayed female Persian cat is evaluated because of a one-week history of
anorexia, vomiting, polyuria, and polydipsia. BCS is 3/9. Physical examination shows lethargy
and enlarged, irregular kidneys bilaterally. Serum chemistry shows: BUN 32.18 (N 10-30),
Creatinine 2.54 (N 0.5-2), Glucose 110 (N 65-120). Which of the following is the most likely
cause of these findings?
A. Bacterial cystitis
B. Chronic interstitial nephritis
C. Diabetes mellitus
D. Polycystic kidney disease
E. Transitional cell carcinoma
Answer: D
Rationale: Enlarged, irregular kidneys in a Persian cat are characteristic of polycystic kidney
disease, which is inherited in this breed .
Q8. An 11-lb (5 kg) 3-year-old spayed female Poodle dog has lameness of the right hindlimb
associated with a grade III medial patellar luxation. Which of the following is the most
appropriate surgical management?
A. Medial extracapsular suture and trochlear resection
B. Medial tibial tuberosity transposition with lateral reinforcement
C. Meniscectomy with fibular head advancement
D. Osteotomy of the femur with lateral extracapsular suture
E. Wedge recession trochleoplasty and lateral tibial tuberosity transposition
Answer: E
Rationale: Grade III medial patellar luxation requires surgical correction with trochleoplasty
and tibial tuberosity transposition .
Q9. A 9-month-old Airedale Terrier dog is being evaluated because of intermittent shifting
lameness and lethargy for the past three weeks. Pain is evident on palpation of the right
humerus and elbow joint. A lateral radiograph of the area is shown. Which of the following is
the most likely diagnosis?
A. Fragmented medial coronoid process
B. Hypertrophic osteodystrophy
C. Osteochondritis dissecans
, 4
D. Panosteitis
E. Ununited anconeal process
Answer: D
Rationale: Panosteitis (eosinophilic panosteitis) causes shifting leg lameness in young, large-
breed dogs and shows characteristic radiographic changes .
Q10. A 1-year-old domestic shorthaired cat develops severe tremors 12 hours after the client
applied an over-the-counter permethrin flea treatment to the skin over its shoulder blades.
Temperature is 103.8°F (39.9°C), and heart rate is 250 beats/min. On physical examination,
the cat is conscious but is having generalized tremors. In addition to bathing the cat to
remove the product, appropriate management would include administration of which of the
following medications?
A. Dantrolene
B. Methocarbamol
C. Phenobarbital
D. Phenoxybenzamine
E. Propofol
Answer: B
Rationale: Methocarbamol is the treatment of choice for permethrin toxicity in cats, which
causes generalized tremors .
Q11. On routine physical examination, a 2-year-old male Whippet is noted to have dark
yellow staining on all teeth. The teeth have had this appearance since the dog was a puppy.
The dog's diet consists of a grocery-store brand of dog food. Which of the following is the
most likely explanation of the discoloration of this dog's teeth?
A. Accumulation of tartar
B. Congenital defect in the production of enamel
C. Diet low in calcium
D. Ingestion of cephalexin by the bitch during pregnancy
E. Ingestion of tetracycline as a puppy
Answer: E
Rationale: Tetracycline administration during tooth development causes permanent yellow-
brown discoloration of teeth .
Q12. A 7-year-old castrated male Thoroughbred horse has a three-week history of
intermittent cough associated with eating, unilateral (left-sided) Horner's syndrome, and
intermittent bilateral, green-tinged nasal discharge. Two days ago, the horse bled profusely
from the left nostril. Which of the following is the most likely source of the hemorrhage?
A. Ethmoid hematoma
B. Internal carotid artery
NAVLE Practice Exam: Original Questions with Answers
Section 1: Canine Medicine (Questions 1–25)
Q1. A 6-year-old male Cocker Spaniel has recurrent otitis externa. Microscopic examination
of a smear of purulent ear discharge shows large numbers of rod-shaped bacteria. What is
the most likely causative organism?
A. Escherichia coli
B. Klebsiella spp
C. Pasteurella multocida
D. Pseudomonas aeruginosa
E. Staphylococcus intermedius
Answer: D
Rationale: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a common cause of chronic, recurrent otitis externa
in dogs and appears as rod-shaped bacteria on cytology .
Q2. An 82-lb (37 kg) 8-year-old male neutered German Shepherd mix is being evaluated for a
2-month history of decreased exercise tolerance. The client reports two episodes of
profound weakness on walks during the past week. The dog seems comfortable at home but
his "heart is always racing." Two years ago the dog was diagnosed with hypothyroidism and
prescribed oral levothyroxine 0.8 mg twice daily. Dosage was reevaluated one month after
initiation and was determined to be appropriate. Appetite, urination, and bowel movements
are normal. BCS is 6/9. Temp 101.2°F and HR 180 bpm. The dog is panting. Pulse deficits are
occurring 3-5x/min. CBC, serum chemistry, and urinalysis are WNL. Which of the following is
the most likely cause of episodic weakness in this dog?
A. Decreased cardiac output
B. Electrolyte imbalance
C. Neurogenic weakness
D. Osteoarthritis
E. Ventilation
Answer: A
Rationale: The dog has tachycardia with pulse deficits, indicating an arrhythmia (likely atrial
fibrillation), which causes decreased cardiac output and episodic weakness .
Q3. A 9-month-old intact male Siberian Husky dog is being evaluated because of a cough of
2 weeks' duration. The cough is nonproductive and worse at night. The dog is bright, alert,
and responsive. Thoracic auscultation reveals harsh lung sounds. Thoracic radiographs show
a diffuse interstitial pattern. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Kennel cough
B. Pneumonia
C. Heartworm disease
, 2
D. Pulmonary edema
E. Tracheal collapse
Answer: A
Rationale: Kennel cough (infectious tracheobronchitis) is common in young dogs, presents
with a nonproductive cough, and is often worse at night .
Q4. A 2-year-old spayed female indoor/outdoor Singapura cat has had several episodes of
facial pruritus for the past two weeks. Vaccinations are up-to-date and the cat is on a
monthly regimen of topical imidacloprid. Examination of the skin shows linear ulcers along
the ventral aspects of both mandibles and miliary scabs on the ventral and lateral aspects of
the neck. The remainder of the dermis appears normal. Deep and surface skin scrapings and
dermatophyte culture are negative. Which of the following is the most appropriate next
diagnostic step?
A. Serum allergy testing
B. Thyroid function testing
C. Trial of hypoallergenic diet
D. Trial of IM methylprednisolone
E. Trial of intramuscular cyclosporine
Answer: C
Rationale: The presentation is consistent with feline allergic dermatitis (possibly food
allergy). A hypoallergenic diet trial is the appropriate next step after ruling out parasites and
dermatophytes .
Q5. A 4-year-old male neutered cat is in shock 2 hours after sustaining a small wound in the
left flank and a larger wound on the lower right side just caudal to the 13th rib. A projectile
injury is suspected. Which of the following is most likely to result from these injuries?
A. Peritonitis
B. Pneumomediastinum
C. Pneumothorax
D. Pyothorax
E. Spinal fracture
Answer: A
Rationale: The wound location (caudal to the 13th rib) suggests penetration into the
abdominal cavity, making peritonitis the most likely complication .
Q6. A 12-year-old spayed female Siamese cat is being evaluated because of poor BCS, weight
loss, and polydipsia. CBC shows mild non-regenerative anemia, lymphopenia, and
neutropenia. What test is most likely to help establish a diagnosis?
A. Blood culture
B. Bone marrow aspiration
, 3
C. Coombs test
D. FIP titer
E. Toxoplasma titer
Answer: B
Rationale: Pancytopenia (anemia, lymphopenia, neutropenia) in a cat warrants bone marrow
aspiration to evaluate for bone marrow disease .
Q7. A 12-year-old spayed female Persian cat is evaluated because of a one-week history of
anorexia, vomiting, polyuria, and polydipsia. BCS is 3/9. Physical examination shows lethargy
and enlarged, irregular kidneys bilaterally. Serum chemistry shows: BUN 32.18 (N 10-30),
Creatinine 2.54 (N 0.5-2), Glucose 110 (N 65-120). Which of the following is the most likely
cause of these findings?
A. Bacterial cystitis
B. Chronic interstitial nephritis
C. Diabetes mellitus
D. Polycystic kidney disease
E. Transitional cell carcinoma
Answer: D
Rationale: Enlarged, irregular kidneys in a Persian cat are characteristic of polycystic kidney
disease, which is inherited in this breed .
Q8. An 11-lb (5 kg) 3-year-old spayed female Poodle dog has lameness of the right hindlimb
associated with a grade III medial patellar luxation. Which of the following is the most
appropriate surgical management?
A. Medial extracapsular suture and trochlear resection
B. Medial tibial tuberosity transposition with lateral reinforcement
C. Meniscectomy with fibular head advancement
D. Osteotomy of the femur with lateral extracapsular suture
E. Wedge recession trochleoplasty and lateral tibial tuberosity transposition
Answer: E
Rationale: Grade III medial patellar luxation requires surgical correction with trochleoplasty
and tibial tuberosity transposition .
Q9. A 9-month-old Airedale Terrier dog is being evaluated because of intermittent shifting
lameness and lethargy for the past three weeks. Pain is evident on palpation of the right
humerus and elbow joint. A lateral radiograph of the area is shown. Which of the following is
the most likely diagnosis?
A. Fragmented medial coronoid process
B. Hypertrophic osteodystrophy
C. Osteochondritis dissecans
, 4
D. Panosteitis
E. Ununited anconeal process
Answer: D
Rationale: Panosteitis (eosinophilic panosteitis) causes shifting leg lameness in young, large-
breed dogs and shows characteristic radiographic changes .
Q10. A 1-year-old domestic shorthaired cat develops severe tremors 12 hours after the client
applied an over-the-counter permethrin flea treatment to the skin over its shoulder blades.
Temperature is 103.8°F (39.9°C), and heart rate is 250 beats/min. On physical examination,
the cat is conscious but is having generalized tremors. In addition to bathing the cat to
remove the product, appropriate management would include administration of which of the
following medications?
A. Dantrolene
B. Methocarbamol
C. Phenobarbital
D. Phenoxybenzamine
E. Propofol
Answer: B
Rationale: Methocarbamol is the treatment of choice for permethrin toxicity in cats, which
causes generalized tremors .
Q11. On routine physical examination, a 2-year-old male Whippet is noted to have dark
yellow staining on all teeth. The teeth have had this appearance since the dog was a puppy.
The dog's diet consists of a grocery-store brand of dog food. Which of the following is the
most likely explanation of the discoloration of this dog's teeth?
A. Accumulation of tartar
B. Congenital defect in the production of enamel
C. Diet low in calcium
D. Ingestion of cephalexin by the bitch during pregnancy
E. Ingestion of tetracycline as a puppy
Answer: E
Rationale: Tetracycline administration during tooth development causes permanent yellow-
brown discoloration of teeth .
Q12. A 7-year-old castrated male Thoroughbred horse has a three-week history of
intermittent cough associated with eating, unilateral (left-sided) Horner's syndrome, and
intermittent bilateral, green-tinged nasal discharge. Two days ago, the horse bled profusely
from the left nostril. Which of the following is the most likely source of the hemorrhage?
A. Ethmoid hematoma
B. Internal carotid artery
