NORTH AMERICAN VETERINARY LICENSING EXAMINATION
(NAVLE) | 2026/2027 LATEST UPDATED VERSION | QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED ANSWERS | GRADED A+
A person calls to to say she adopted a friend's dog and requests a copy of the dog's medical record
and radiographs. The former owner is a client at your clinic. Which one of the following choices is the
most appropriate action to take?
A - Require original owner consent or court order to release information
B - Give caller a copy of medical record only
C - Give caller a copy of medical record and radiographs
D - After physical exam, start a new medical record documenting previous issues
E - Give a summarized record with personal identifiers (vet, owner names) blocked out -
ANSWER
A
According to the AVMA's Principles of Veterinary Medical Ethics (2008 revision)
"Ethically, the information within veterinary medical records is considered privileged and
confidential. It must not be released except by court order or consent of the owner of the patient.
Veterinarians should secure a written release to document that request."
A 5 year old domestic short-haired spayed female cat is presented with the complaints of anorexia,
chronic vomiting, and weight loss.
Physical examination reveals icterus, dehydration, and fever. Thickened small intestinal loops are
appreciated with abdominal palpation, and serum biochemistry shows increased bilirubin and liver
enzymes.
The cat is diagnosed with extrahepatic biliary obstruction with accompanying cholangitis and
inflammatory bowel disease. Which one of the following normal anatomic features may predispose
cats to this triad of diseases?
A - Narrowing of the duodenum distal to the entry of the common bile and pancreatic ducts
B - Common opening of the pancreatic and common bile ducts into duodenum
,C - Enlarged duodenal papilla in comparison to other species
D - Decreased proportion of alpha-smooth muscle actin in muscle fibers of the wall of the gall
bladder in cats
E - Decreased diameter and increa -
ANSWER
B
In cats, there is a common opening of the pancreatic and common bile ducts into the duodenum. It is
thought that this may predispose them to ascending cholangitis and pancreatitis after vomiting
associated with inflammatory bowel disease, resulting in extrahepatic biliary obstruction.
Other possible etiologies of EHBO include neoplasia, biliary stricture, duodenal obstruction,
diaphragmatic hernia, and parasitic infection.
In all cases, there is a lack of bile entry into the intestinal tract, leading to decreased absorption of fat
and fat soluble vitamins such as vitamin K, potentially resulting in coagulopathies.
Except in transient cases that are related to acute pancreatitis, surgical intervention to relieve the
obstruction is required as well as appropriate supportive care, antimicrobial treatment, and vitamin K
administration.
Most of a litter of European wild boar at a zoological park have died. The surviving piglets are in
lateral recumbency with a frothy nasal discharge. Necropsy of the piglets reveals pulmonary edema
and copious fluid in the trachea and bronchi along with grayish- white necrotic foci on the
myocardium. Which one of the following diseases is the most likely diagnosis?
A - Edema disease
B - Encephalomyocarditis
C - Glasser's Disease
D - Porcine Respiratory and Reproductive Syndrome
E - Pseudorabies -
ANSWER
B
,Encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) is caused by a cardiovirus in the family picornaviridae.
Confusingly, the virus is named for its effects on mice.
Think of rodents and exotic zoo mammals with EMCV. Pig-to-pig contact, contamination of swine
feed and water by rodents or ingestion of dead rodents may cause disease. See pulmonary edema
and copious transudate in the respiratory tract, causing cardiac failure. Zoo outbreaks of EMCV have
included lions, African elephants, rhinos, hippos, sloths, llamas, antelope and nonhuman primates.
An outbreak of lion deaths at a Florida zoo in the USA occurred after feeding them the carcass of an
African elephant that had died of EMCV.
Edema disease is a neurologic disease caused by a hemolytic Escherichia coli producing Shiga toxin
e2 and F18 pili resulting in high mortality in recently-weaned pigs.
Glasser's Disease, caused by Hemophilus parasuis is usually an acute disease of 6 to 8 week-old pigs
which causes fibrinous arthritis, polyserositis, and meningitis.
Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS), is an arterivirus causing reproductive failure
and post-weaning respiratory disease.
What is the main mode of transmission for feline leukemia virus?
A - Aerosol transmission
B - Shedding of virus via feces
C - Fomite transmission
D - Shedding of virus via saliva -
ANSWER
D
The correct
ANSWER
is shedding of virus via saliva. The main mode of transmission is via saliva. It requires prolonged,
close contact. Cats may shed the virus for months to years. Transmission may also occur through
reuse of instruments and blood. Virus is shed in saliva, tears, urine, and feces.
You are working with a farmer who is having trouble with calves between the age of 2 weeks and 6
months. They are alert, but weak, dyspneic and die suddenly. On necropsy they have pale cardiac
and skeletal muscles. What is the farmer's problem?
, A - Copper deficiency
B - Sorghum toxicity
C - Lightning strike
D - Selenium deficiency -
ANSWER
D
The correct
ANSWER
is selenium deficiency. The pale muscle and clinical signs are classic for vitamin E and selenium
deficiency. This is important to remember! Other things that should be on your differential list for
this case include cardiotoxic plants.
A 6-year old intact male domestic short haired cat presents with acute onset exophthalmos of the
right eye in the past 2 days. He is painful on palpation around his eye and head. The eye can be
retropulsed with minimal resistance. He has not been eating in the past day and has a rectal
temperature of 103.4F (39.7 C). What is the most likely diagnosis?
A - Orbital neoplasia
B - Retrobulbar abscess
C - Anterior uveitis
D - Glaucoma -
ANSWER
B
The
ANSWER
is a retrobulbar abscess. Acute, painful exophthalmos is usually due to retrobulbar abscessation.
These lesions are usually painful and may be swollen. These animals are frequently systemically ill
with fever and leukocytosis. Causes of retrobulbar abscesses include penetrating wounds, foreign
bodies, spread from dental or sinus infection, and hematogenous spread. Glaucoma does not cause
exophthalmos, although, chronically it can cause buphthalmos which may appear similar. Anterior
uveitis also does not cause exophthalmos.
(NAVLE) | 2026/2027 LATEST UPDATED VERSION | QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED ANSWERS | GRADED A+
A person calls to to say she adopted a friend's dog and requests a copy of the dog's medical record
and radiographs. The former owner is a client at your clinic. Which one of the following choices is the
most appropriate action to take?
A - Require original owner consent or court order to release information
B - Give caller a copy of medical record only
C - Give caller a copy of medical record and radiographs
D - After physical exam, start a new medical record documenting previous issues
E - Give a summarized record with personal identifiers (vet, owner names) blocked out -
ANSWER
A
According to the AVMA's Principles of Veterinary Medical Ethics (2008 revision)
"Ethically, the information within veterinary medical records is considered privileged and
confidential. It must not be released except by court order or consent of the owner of the patient.
Veterinarians should secure a written release to document that request."
A 5 year old domestic short-haired spayed female cat is presented with the complaints of anorexia,
chronic vomiting, and weight loss.
Physical examination reveals icterus, dehydration, and fever. Thickened small intestinal loops are
appreciated with abdominal palpation, and serum biochemistry shows increased bilirubin and liver
enzymes.
The cat is diagnosed with extrahepatic biliary obstruction with accompanying cholangitis and
inflammatory bowel disease. Which one of the following normal anatomic features may predispose
cats to this triad of diseases?
A - Narrowing of the duodenum distal to the entry of the common bile and pancreatic ducts
B - Common opening of the pancreatic and common bile ducts into duodenum
,C - Enlarged duodenal papilla in comparison to other species
D - Decreased proportion of alpha-smooth muscle actin in muscle fibers of the wall of the gall
bladder in cats
E - Decreased diameter and increa -
ANSWER
B
In cats, there is a common opening of the pancreatic and common bile ducts into the duodenum. It is
thought that this may predispose them to ascending cholangitis and pancreatitis after vomiting
associated with inflammatory bowel disease, resulting in extrahepatic biliary obstruction.
Other possible etiologies of EHBO include neoplasia, biliary stricture, duodenal obstruction,
diaphragmatic hernia, and parasitic infection.
In all cases, there is a lack of bile entry into the intestinal tract, leading to decreased absorption of fat
and fat soluble vitamins such as vitamin K, potentially resulting in coagulopathies.
Except in transient cases that are related to acute pancreatitis, surgical intervention to relieve the
obstruction is required as well as appropriate supportive care, antimicrobial treatment, and vitamin K
administration.
Most of a litter of European wild boar at a zoological park have died. The surviving piglets are in
lateral recumbency with a frothy nasal discharge. Necropsy of the piglets reveals pulmonary edema
and copious fluid in the trachea and bronchi along with grayish- white necrotic foci on the
myocardium. Which one of the following diseases is the most likely diagnosis?
A - Edema disease
B - Encephalomyocarditis
C - Glasser's Disease
D - Porcine Respiratory and Reproductive Syndrome
E - Pseudorabies -
ANSWER
B
,Encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) is caused by a cardiovirus in the family picornaviridae.
Confusingly, the virus is named for its effects on mice.
Think of rodents and exotic zoo mammals with EMCV. Pig-to-pig contact, contamination of swine
feed and water by rodents or ingestion of dead rodents may cause disease. See pulmonary edema
and copious transudate in the respiratory tract, causing cardiac failure. Zoo outbreaks of EMCV have
included lions, African elephants, rhinos, hippos, sloths, llamas, antelope and nonhuman primates.
An outbreak of lion deaths at a Florida zoo in the USA occurred after feeding them the carcass of an
African elephant that had died of EMCV.
Edema disease is a neurologic disease caused by a hemolytic Escherichia coli producing Shiga toxin
e2 and F18 pili resulting in high mortality in recently-weaned pigs.
Glasser's Disease, caused by Hemophilus parasuis is usually an acute disease of 6 to 8 week-old pigs
which causes fibrinous arthritis, polyserositis, and meningitis.
Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS), is an arterivirus causing reproductive failure
and post-weaning respiratory disease.
What is the main mode of transmission for feline leukemia virus?
A - Aerosol transmission
B - Shedding of virus via feces
C - Fomite transmission
D - Shedding of virus via saliva -
ANSWER
D
The correct
ANSWER
is shedding of virus via saliva. The main mode of transmission is via saliva. It requires prolonged,
close contact. Cats may shed the virus for months to years. Transmission may also occur through
reuse of instruments and blood. Virus is shed in saliva, tears, urine, and feces.
You are working with a farmer who is having trouble with calves between the age of 2 weeks and 6
months. They are alert, but weak, dyspneic and die suddenly. On necropsy they have pale cardiac
and skeletal muscles. What is the farmer's problem?
, A - Copper deficiency
B - Sorghum toxicity
C - Lightning strike
D - Selenium deficiency -
ANSWER
D
The correct
ANSWER
is selenium deficiency. The pale muscle and clinical signs are classic for vitamin E and selenium
deficiency. This is important to remember! Other things that should be on your differential list for
this case include cardiotoxic plants.
A 6-year old intact male domestic short haired cat presents with acute onset exophthalmos of the
right eye in the past 2 days. He is painful on palpation around his eye and head. The eye can be
retropulsed with minimal resistance. He has not been eating in the past day and has a rectal
temperature of 103.4F (39.7 C). What is the most likely diagnosis?
A - Orbital neoplasia
B - Retrobulbar abscess
C - Anterior uveitis
D - Glaucoma -
ANSWER
B
The
ANSWER
is a retrobulbar abscess. Acute, painful exophthalmos is usually due to retrobulbar abscessation.
These lesions are usually painful and may be swollen. These animals are frequently systemically ill
with fever and leukocytosis. Causes of retrobulbar abscesses include penetrating wounds, foreign
bodies, spread from dental or sinus infection, and hematogenous spread. Glaucoma does not cause
exophthalmos, although, chronically it can cause buphthalmos which may appear similar. Anterior
uveitis also does not cause exophthalmos.
