NEW YORK VETERINARY LICENSING EXAM
120 Questions with Answers and Rationales
1. A 9-year-old male neutered Labrador presents with PU/PD, abdominal
distension, and a pot-bellied appearance. Bloodwork shows elevated ALP,
elevated cholesterol, and a stress leukogram. What is the most likely
diagnosis?
A. Hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing's disease)
B. Addison's disease
C. Diabetes insipidus
D. Chronic renal failure
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Pot-bellied appearance, marked ALP elevation, hypercholesterolemia,
and a stress leukogram are classic findings of hyperadrenocorticism due to
hepatomegaly and catabolic effects of excess cortisol.
2. Which electrolyte abnormality is most classically associated with
hypoadrenocorticism (Addison's disease) in dogs?
A. Hyperkalemia with hyponatremia
B. Hypokalemia with hypernatremia
C. Hypercalcemia with hyperphosphatemia
D. Hypernatremia with hyperchloremia
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Aldosterone deficiency impairs sodium retention and potassium excretion,
producing the classic hyperkalemia/hyponatremia pattern with a decreased Na:K
ratio.
,3. A cat presents with weight loss despite polyphagia, tachycardia, and a
palpable thyroid slip. Which test is most appropriate to confirm the suspected
diagnosis?
A. Serum total T4
B. ACTH stimulation test
C. Fructosamine
D. Urine cortisol:creatinine ratio
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Weight loss with polyphagia and a palpable goiter in an older cat is classic
for hyperthyroidism, which is confirmed with an elevated total T4.
4. Which of the following is the most common cause of chronic vomiting and
diarrhea in middle-aged cats when neoplasia has been ruled out?
A. Inflammatory bowel disease
B. Feline panleukopenia
C. Toxoplasmosis
D. Feline hyperthyroidism
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Inflammatory bowel disease is the most common non-neoplastic cause of
chronic GI signs in middle-aged to older cats and is diagnosed via intestinal biopsy.
5. A 7-year-old female intact Rottweiler presents 4 weeks post-estrus with
lethargy, PU/PD, and a distended abdomen. Radiographs show a tubular
structure in the caudal abdomen. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Pyometra
B. Ovarian cyst
C. Uterine torsion
D. Mucometra
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: An intact female with recent estrus, PU/PD, and a fluid-distended tubular
uterine structure is classic for pyometra, an emergency requiring prompt
ovariohysterectomy or medical management.
,6. What is the most common cause of acute pancreatitis in dogs?
A. Dietary indiscretion with high fat content
B. Viral infection
C. Hypothyroidism
D. Chronic renal disease
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Ingestion of a high-fat meal or dietary indiscretion is the most frequently
cited trigger for canine acute pancreatitis, causing premature enzyme activation
within the pancreas.
7. Which laboratory finding is most specific for diagnosing pancreatitis in
dogs?
A. Elevated canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity (cPLI)
B. Elevated ALT
C. Elevated BUN
D. Elevated total bilirubin
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: cPLI is more specific to the pancreas than serum amylase or lipase,
which can be elevated with renal or GI disease as well.
8. A diabetic dog on insulin therapy presents with recurring hyperglycemia
several hours after the evening dose despite worsening clinical signs. What
phenomenon should be ruled out before increasing the insulin dose?
A. Somogyi effect (insulin-induced hyperglycemia)
B. Insulin resistance from hyperadrenocorticism only
C. Diabetic ketoacidosis
D. Insulinoma
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The Somogyi effect occurs when excessive insulin causes hypoglycemia,
triggering a counter-regulatory hormone surge that produces rebound
hyperglycemia; a glucose curve should be performed before increasing the dose.
, 9. A young cat presents with fever, weight loss, abdominal distension due to
ascites, and hyperglobulinemia with a low albumin:globulin ratio. What disease
is most consistent with these findings?
A. Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP)
B. Feline leukemia virus infection alone
C. Toxoplasmosis
D. Feline panleukopenia
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A low A:G ratio with hyperglobulinemia, effusion, and fever in a young cat
is highly suggestive of effusive (wet) FIP caused by a mutated feline coronavirus.
10. Which of the following best describes the mechanism of action of
furosemide?
A. Inhibits Na-K-2Cl cotransporter in the thick ascending loop of Henle
B. Blocks aldosterone receptors in the collecting duct
C. Inhibits carbonic anhydrase in the proximal tubule
D. Blocks epithelial sodium channels in the distal tubule
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that inhibits the Na-K-2Cl cotransporter,
producing potent natriuresis and diuresis, useful in managing congestive heart
failure and pulmonary edema.
11. A dog presents with a history of exercise intolerance, syncope, and a loud
left apical systolic murmur. Echocardiography shows mitral valve thickening
and regurgitant jet. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Myxomatous mitral valve degeneration
B. Dilated cardiomyopathy
C. Patent ductus arteriosus
D. Pericardial effusion
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Myxomatous (degenerative) mitral valve disease is the most common
acquired heart disease in small breed dogs, causing a left apical systolic murmur
from mitral regurgitation.
120 Questions with Answers and Rationales
1. A 9-year-old male neutered Labrador presents with PU/PD, abdominal
distension, and a pot-bellied appearance. Bloodwork shows elevated ALP,
elevated cholesterol, and a stress leukogram. What is the most likely
diagnosis?
A. Hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing's disease)
B. Addison's disease
C. Diabetes insipidus
D. Chronic renal failure
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Pot-bellied appearance, marked ALP elevation, hypercholesterolemia,
and a stress leukogram are classic findings of hyperadrenocorticism due to
hepatomegaly and catabolic effects of excess cortisol.
2. Which electrolyte abnormality is most classically associated with
hypoadrenocorticism (Addison's disease) in dogs?
A. Hyperkalemia with hyponatremia
B. Hypokalemia with hypernatremia
C. Hypercalcemia with hyperphosphatemia
D. Hypernatremia with hyperchloremia
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Aldosterone deficiency impairs sodium retention and potassium excretion,
producing the classic hyperkalemia/hyponatremia pattern with a decreased Na:K
ratio.
,3. A cat presents with weight loss despite polyphagia, tachycardia, and a
palpable thyroid slip. Which test is most appropriate to confirm the suspected
diagnosis?
A. Serum total T4
B. ACTH stimulation test
C. Fructosamine
D. Urine cortisol:creatinine ratio
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Weight loss with polyphagia and a palpable goiter in an older cat is classic
for hyperthyroidism, which is confirmed with an elevated total T4.
4. Which of the following is the most common cause of chronic vomiting and
diarrhea in middle-aged cats when neoplasia has been ruled out?
A. Inflammatory bowel disease
B. Feline panleukopenia
C. Toxoplasmosis
D. Feline hyperthyroidism
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Inflammatory bowel disease is the most common non-neoplastic cause of
chronic GI signs in middle-aged to older cats and is diagnosed via intestinal biopsy.
5. A 7-year-old female intact Rottweiler presents 4 weeks post-estrus with
lethargy, PU/PD, and a distended abdomen. Radiographs show a tubular
structure in the caudal abdomen. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Pyometra
B. Ovarian cyst
C. Uterine torsion
D. Mucometra
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: An intact female with recent estrus, PU/PD, and a fluid-distended tubular
uterine structure is classic for pyometra, an emergency requiring prompt
ovariohysterectomy or medical management.
,6. What is the most common cause of acute pancreatitis in dogs?
A. Dietary indiscretion with high fat content
B. Viral infection
C. Hypothyroidism
D. Chronic renal disease
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Ingestion of a high-fat meal or dietary indiscretion is the most frequently
cited trigger for canine acute pancreatitis, causing premature enzyme activation
within the pancreas.
7. Which laboratory finding is most specific for diagnosing pancreatitis in
dogs?
A. Elevated canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity (cPLI)
B. Elevated ALT
C. Elevated BUN
D. Elevated total bilirubin
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: cPLI is more specific to the pancreas than serum amylase or lipase,
which can be elevated with renal or GI disease as well.
8. A diabetic dog on insulin therapy presents with recurring hyperglycemia
several hours after the evening dose despite worsening clinical signs. What
phenomenon should be ruled out before increasing the insulin dose?
A. Somogyi effect (insulin-induced hyperglycemia)
B. Insulin resistance from hyperadrenocorticism only
C. Diabetic ketoacidosis
D. Insulinoma
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The Somogyi effect occurs when excessive insulin causes hypoglycemia,
triggering a counter-regulatory hormone surge that produces rebound
hyperglycemia; a glucose curve should be performed before increasing the dose.
, 9. A young cat presents with fever, weight loss, abdominal distension due to
ascites, and hyperglobulinemia with a low albumin:globulin ratio. What disease
is most consistent with these findings?
A. Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP)
B. Feline leukemia virus infection alone
C. Toxoplasmosis
D. Feline panleukopenia
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A low A:G ratio with hyperglobulinemia, effusion, and fever in a young cat
is highly suggestive of effusive (wet) FIP caused by a mutated feline coronavirus.
10. Which of the following best describes the mechanism of action of
furosemide?
A. Inhibits Na-K-2Cl cotransporter in the thick ascending loop of Henle
B. Blocks aldosterone receptors in the collecting duct
C. Inhibits carbonic anhydrase in the proximal tubule
D. Blocks epithelial sodium channels in the distal tubule
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that inhibits the Na-K-2Cl cotransporter,
producing potent natriuresis and diuresis, useful in managing congestive heart
failure and pulmonary edema.
11. A dog presents with a history of exercise intolerance, syncope, and a loud
left apical systolic murmur. Echocardiography shows mitral valve thickening
and regurgitant jet. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Myxomatous mitral valve degeneration
B. Dilated cardiomyopathy
C. Patent ductus arteriosus
D. Pericardial effusion
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Myxomatous (degenerative) mitral valve disease is the most common
acquired heart disease in small breed dogs, causing a left apical systolic murmur
from mitral regurgitation.
