NAVLE EXOTICS |ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED ANSWERS|BRAND NEW 2026-2027
UPDATE|GRADED A+
Question 1
An 8-month old iguana presents for further evaluation of a lack of thriving. On physical
exam, a pliable mandible and maxilla are palpated. What is your diagnosis?
a. Metabolic bone disease
b. Coccidioidmycosis
c. This is a normal finding
d. Osteomyelitits
CORRECT ANSWER
the correct answer is *metabolic bone disease*.
Usually, you will see *bowing of the long bones* with rounding of the skull in addition to
the clinical findings mentioned.
The disease usually occurs as a result of *secondary nutritional hyperparathyroidism*.
When there is inadequate calcium absorbed from the diet, the *parathyroid glands
become hyperactive, causing release of calcium stores in the bones*, leading to *fibrous
and pliable* bones.
Adequate nutrition is key to preventing this disease!!
Question 2
1
@THE STUDY VAULT
,You are presented with two young wild cockatoos that have immature, clubbed feathers
and a malformed beak (see image). You suspect this is Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease
(PBFD). Which test would you run to confirm your diagnosis?
a. PCR probe of whole blood for circovirus DNA
b. A serologic test for antibody to herpesvirus
c. PCR probe of whole blood for polyomavirus DNA
d. A gram stain of the diseased feather pulp.
CORRECT ANSWER
The etiologic agent for *PBFD* is *circovirus-1* and *circovirus-2* so submitting a
*whole blood* sample for *DNA probe* analysis is the best method to check for
*viremia*.
Question 3
A 5-year old female intact New Zealand White rabbit presents for *hematuria, anorexia*,
and *weight loss*. What is the most likely differential?
a. Uterine adenocarcinoma
b. Normal Estrous
c. Rabbit syphilis
d. Porphyrinuria
e. Pregnancy
CORRECT ANSWER
*Uterine adenocarcinoma* is the most common *neoplasia* of *female rabbits*, with
up to *80%* incidence among intact females of certain species.
Because of this, all female rabbits that are *not breeders* should be *spayed*. The most
common signs of uterine ACA are *hematuria, anorexia, depression, dysuria*, and *milk
production*.
2
@THE STUDY VAULT
, Pregnancy would be unlikely to cause *hematuria*. Rabbits are *induced ovulators* and
*do not* exhibit estrous. Hematuria must be distinguished from *porphyrinuria*, which
is a normal *red or orange* pigment in the urine of some *rabbits*. However,
porphyrinuria *DOES NOT* cause *anorexia* and *weight loss*.
Rabbit syphilis is a *sexually* transmitted disease caused by *Treponema paraluis
cuniculi*. It causes *perineal lesions* but does not cause hematuria
Question 4
A client brings in her rabbit, which acutely went down in the hind limbs after playing with
the owner's daughter yesterday. On physical exam, the rabbit is dribbling urine and has no
withdrawal in the hind legs. Forelimbs are normal. What do you suspect?
a. Hansen's type II disc herniation
b. Vertebral fracture
c. Fibrocartilage embolism
d. Vertebral luxation
e. Hansen's type I herniation
CORRECT ANSWER
The correct answer is *vertebral fracture*.
Fractures in the *caudal lumbar* region frequently occur when rabbits *are not handled
properly* or are stimulated to jump around excessively.
*Fractures* are *much more common* than *luxations, disc extrusions*, or *emboli*.
The most common site of fracture is *L7*.
3
@THE STUDY VAULT
, Question 5
An adult budgerigar presents sitting on the floor of its cage. It has a history of polydipsia,
weight loss, and progressive left leg lameness. What is your highest suspicion for what
may be causing these signs?
a. Renal adenocarcinoma
b. Bumble foot
c. Lead toxicity
d. Teflon toxicity
CORRECT ANSWER
The correct answer is *renal adenocarcinoma*.
A *mass* in the renal parenchyma of a bird will compress and compromise the function
of the *ischiatic nerve*, causing a unilateral leg *lameness*.
We would be unlikely to see *unilateral lameness* with *lead toxicity*. Bumblefoot
could affect *one* foot, but *WOULD NOT* cause polydipsia.
Teflon toxicity causes *acute death* in *birds*.
Question 6
You diagnose a colony of mice with lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCM). What is your next
step?
a. Euthanize the colony
b. Treat aggressively with antibiotics
c. Do nothing; the disease is self limiting
4
@THE STUDY VAULT
VERIFIED ANSWERS|BRAND NEW 2026-2027
UPDATE|GRADED A+
Question 1
An 8-month old iguana presents for further evaluation of a lack of thriving. On physical
exam, a pliable mandible and maxilla are palpated. What is your diagnosis?
a. Metabolic bone disease
b. Coccidioidmycosis
c. This is a normal finding
d. Osteomyelitits
CORRECT ANSWER
the correct answer is *metabolic bone disease*.
Usually, you will see *bowing of the long bones* with rounding of the skull in addition to
the clinical findings mentioned.
The disease usually occurs as a result of *secondary nutritional hyperparathyroidism*.
When there is inadequate calcium absorbed from the diet, the *parathyroid glands
become hyperactive, causing release of calcium stores in the bones*, leading to *fibrous
and pliable* bones.
Adequate nutrition is key to preventing this disease!!
Question 2
1
@THE STUDY VAULT
,You are presented with two young wild cockatoos that have immature, clubbed feathers
and a malformed beak (see image). You suspect this is Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease
(PBFD). Which test would you run to confirm your diagnosis?
a. PCR probe of whole blood for circovirus DNA
b. A serologic test for antibody to herpesvirus
c. PCR probe of whole blood for polyomavirus DNA
d. A gram stain of the diseased feather pulp.
CORRECT ANSWER
The etiologic agent for *PBFD* is *circovirus-1* and *circovirus-2* so submitting a
*whole blood* sample for *DNA probe* analysis is the best method to check for
*viremia*.
Question 3
A 5-year old female intact New Zealand White rabbit presents for *hematuria, anorexia*,
and *weight loss*. What is the most likely differential?
a. Uterine adenocarcinoma
b. Normal Estrous
c. Rabbit syphilis
d. Porphyrinuria
e. Pregnancy
CORRECT ANSWER
*Uterine adenocarcinoma* is the most common *neoplasia* of *female rabbits*, with
up to *80%* incidence among intact females of certain species.
Because of this, all female rabbits that are *not breeders* should be *spayed*. The most
common signs of uterine ACA are *hematuria, anorexia, depression, dysuria*, and *milk
production*.
2
@THE STUDY VAULT
, Pregnancy would be unlikely to cause *hematuria*. Rabbits are *induced ovulators* and
*do not* exhibit estrous. Hematuria must be distinguished from *porphyrinuria*, which
is a normal *red or orange* pigment in the urine of some *rabbits*. However,
porphyrinuria *DOES NOT* cause *anorexia* and *weight loss*.
Rabbit syphilis is a *sexually* transmitted disease caused by *Treponema paraluis
cuniculi*. It causes *perineal lesions* but does not cause hematuria
Question 4
A client brings in her rabbit, which acutely went down in the hind limbs after playing with
the owner's daughter yesterday. On physical exam, the rabbit is dribbling urine and has no
withdrawal in the hind legs. Forelimbs are normal. What do you suspect?
a. Hansen's type II disc herniation
b. Vertebral fracture
c. Fibrocartilage embolism
d. Vertebral luxation
e. Hansen's type I herniation
CORRECT ANSWER
The correct answer is *vertebral fracture*.
Fractures in the *caudal lumbar* region frequently occur when rabbits *are not handled
properly* or are stimulated to jump around excessively.
*Fractures* are *much more common* than *luxations, disc extrusions*, or *emboli*.
The most common site of fracture is *L7*.
3
@THE STUDY VAULT
, Question 5
An adult budgerigar presents sitting on the floor of its cage. It has a history of polydipsia,
weight loss, and progressive left leg lameness. What is your highest suspicion for what
may be causing these signs?
a. Renal adenocarcinoma
b. Bumble foot
c. Lead toxicity
d. Teflon toxicity
CORRECT ANSWER
The correct answer is *renal adenocarcinoma*.
A *mass* in the renal parenchyma of a bird will compress and compromise the function
of the *ischiatic nerve*, causing a unilateral leg *lameness*.
We would be unlikely to see *unilateral lameness* with *lead toxicity*. Bumblefoot
could affect *one* foot, but *WOULD NOT* cause polydipsia.
Teflon toxicity causes *acute death* in *birds*.
Question 6
You diagnose a colony of mice with lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCM). What is your next
step?
a. Euthanize the colony
b. Treat aggressively with antibiotics
c. Do nothing; the disease is self limiting
4
@THE STUDY VAULT
