NAVLE EXAM |ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED
ANSWERS|BRAND NEW 2026-2027
UPDATE|GRADED A+
Question 1
A group of 1000 5wk old pigs has experienced 2% death loss since weaning 2w ago. Most
of the deaths were sudden; however, ~3% of pigs showed clinical signs of lethargy,
lameness, and labored breathing before dying. Postmortem exam showed severe fibrinous
pleuritic, pericarditis, and peritonitis. Which is the most likely causal organism?
A. Arcanobacterium suis
B. E coli
C. haemophilus parasuis
D. salmonella
E. strep suis
CORRECT ANSWER
haemophilus parasuis
Question 2
In October, 6 mixed-breed beef cows + 3 calves are being evaluated bc of a 1d hx of droopy
ears, squinting, rubbing their heads on objects, and ataxia. 4d ago, the cows + calves
escaped from their pasture + were found the next day eating the lush clover, buckwheat,
and ryegrass in a food plot a neighbor had planted to attract deer to his property. The
cattle were returned to their home pens + fed their usually diet of Timothy hay + a
commercial grain supplement. Today, vital signs of 1 affected calf are: T = 102.5 F, HR = 85
bpm, RR = 35 brpm. PE shows blepharospasm, edema, erythema, serous exudate, matting
of hair most severe on ears, eyelids, external nares + lips. Animals with white faces seem
most severely affected. Which is the most likely cause?
1
@THE STUDY VAULT
,A. dermatophilosis
B. IBK
C. IBR
D. primary photosensitization
E. secondary photosensitization
CORRECT ANSWER
D. primary photosensitization
primary = ate plant
secondary = liver failure
Question 3
A 4yo intact female ferret has had lethargy + depression for the past 24h. On PE, MM are
extremely pale + vulva is swollen. PCV is markedly decreased. What is the most likely dx?
CORRECT ANSWER
estrogen toxicity
induced ovulators so if not bred, they don't ovulate + continue to produce estrogen which
leads to suppression of blood cells from bone marrow
Question 4
A 4yo MN cat is in shock 2h after sustaining a small would in the L flank and a larger
wound on the lower R side just caudal to the 13th rib. A projectile injury is suspected.
Which is most likely to result from these injuries?
A. peritonitis
B. pneumomediastinum
2
@THE STUDY VAULT
,C. pneumothorax
D. pyothorax
E. spinal fx
CORRECT ANSWER
peritonitis (location)
Question 5
A 12yo FS siamese cat is being evaluated because of poor BCS, weight loss, and polydipsia.
CBC shows mild non regenerative anemia, lymphopenia, + neutropenia. What test is most
likely to help establish diagnosis?
A. blood culture
B. bone marrow aspiration
C. Coombs test
D. FIP titer
E. toxoplasma titer
CORRECT ANSWER
bone marrow aspiration
definitive dx + panleukopenia present
Question 6
A 10yo commercial beef cow has had a gradually diminished appetite + progressive weight
loss over the past 2m. Feces are dry + scanty. She continues to drink water. PE shows
distention of L paralumbar fossa + ventral R abdominal wall. On rectal, rumen is full of firm
ingesta + ventral sac extends to R of midline (L-shaped). Which is the most appropriate
next step?
3
@THE STUDY VAULT
, A. admin of bismuth subsilacylate w sucrose
B. admin of Mg hydroxide
C. exploratory laparotomy
D. salvage to slaughter
E. sx creation of rumen fistula
CORRECT ANSWER
salvage to slaughter
type III vagal indigestion - damage of vagus n.; poor prognosis
- key = L shape, dry + scanty feces, rumen full of ingesta
Question 7
What is the most common rod-shaped bacteria found in canine ear infections?
CORRECT ANSWER
pseudomonas aeruguinosa
Question 8
A group of 6-10w old lambs + dams have crusted, proliferative lesions on lips. PE shows
underlying crusts consisting of raised granulation tissue. There are no lesions on buccal or
lingual mucosa. The majority of the lambs are affected, but only 5% of adult sheep are
affected. Affected lambs are active + nursing. The only adult cult on the farm has similar
lesions. Horses, cattle, and pigs are unaffected. What is the most appropriate
management?
A. addition of organic iodide to trace mineralized salt
4
@THE STUDY VAULT
ANSWERS|BRAND NEW 2026-2027
UPDATE|GRADED A+
Question 1
A group of 1000 5wk old pigs has experienced 2% death loss since weaning 2w ago. Most
of the deaths were sudden; however, ~3% of pigs showed clinical signs of lethargy,
lameness, and labored breathing before dying. Postmortem exam showed severe fibrinous
pleuritic, pericarditis, and peritonitis. Which is the most likely causal organism?
A. Arcanobacterium suis
B. E coli
C. haemophilus parasuis
D. salmonella
E. strep suis
CORRECT ANSWER
haemophilus parasuis
Question 2
In October, 6 mixed-breed beef cows + 3 calves are being evaluated bc of a 1d hx of droopy
ears, squinting, rubbing their heads on objects, and ataxia. 4d ago, the cows + calves
escaped from their pasture + were found the next day eating the lush clover, buckwheat,
and ryegrass in a food plot a neighbor had planted to attract deer to his property. The
cattle were returned to their home pens + fed their usually diet of Timothy hay + a
commercial grain supplement. Today, vital signs of 1 affected calf are: T = 102.5 F, HR = 85
bpm, RR = 35 brpm. PE shows blepharospasm, edema, erythema, serous exudate, matting
of hair most severe on ears, eyelids, external nares + lips. Animals with white faces seem
most severely affected. Which is the most likely cause?
1
@THE STUDY VAULT
,A. dermatophilosis
B. IBK
C. IBR
D. primary photosensitization
E. secondary photosensitization
CORRECT ANSWER
D. primary photosensitization
primary = ate plant
secondary = liver failure
Question 3
A 4yo intact female ferret has had lethargy + depression for the past 24h. On PE, MM are
extremely pale + vulva is swollen. PCV is markedly decreased. What is the most likely dx?
CORRECT ANSWER
estrogen toxicity
induced ovulators so if not bred, they don't ovulate + continue to produce estrogen which
leads to suppression of blood cells from bone marrow
Question 4
A 4yo MN cat is in shock 2h after sustaining a small would in the L flank and a larger
wound on the lower R side just caudal to the 13th rib. A projectile injury is suspected.
Which is most likely to result from these injuries?
A. peritonitis
B. pneumomediastinum
2
@THE STUDY VAULT
,C. pneumothorax
D. pyothorax
E. spinal fx
CORRECT ANSWER
peritonitis (location)
Question 5
A 12yo FS siamese cat is being evaluated because of poor BCS, weight loss, and polydipsia.
CBC shows mild non regenerative anemia, lymphopenia, + neutropenia. What test is most
likely to help establish diagnosis?
A. blood culture
B. bone marrow aspiration
C. Coombs test
D. FIP titer
E. toxoplasma titer
CORRECT ANSWER
bone marrow aspiration
definitive dx + panleukopenia present
Question 6
A 10yo commercial beef cow has had a gradually diminished appetite + progressive weight
loss over the past 2m. Feces are dry + scanty. She continues to drink water. PE shows
distention of L paralumbar fossa + ventral R abdominal wall. On rectal, rumen is full of firm
ingesta + ventral sac extends to R of midline (L-shaped). Which is the most appropriate
next step?
3
@THE STUDY VAULT
, A. admin of bismuth subsilacylate w sucrose
B. admin of Mg hydroxide
C. exploratory laparotomy
D. salvage to slaughter
E. sx creation of rumen fistula
CORRECT ANSWER
salvage to slaughter
type III vagal indigestion - damage of vagus n.; poor prognosis
- key = L shape, dry + scanty feces, rumen full of ingesta
Question 7
What is the most common rod-shaped bacteria found in canine ear infections?
CORRECT ANSWER
pseudomonas aeruguinosa
Question 8
A group of 6-10w old lambs + dams have crusted, proliferative lesions on lips. PE shows
underlying crusts consisting of raised granulation tissue. There are no lesions on buccal or
lingual mucosa. The majority of the lambs are affected, but only 5% of adult sheep are
affected. Affected lambs are active + nursing. The only adult cult on the farm has similar
lesions. Horses, cattle, and pigs are unaffected. What is the most appropriate
management?
A. addition of organic iodide to trace mineralized salt
4
@THE STUDY VAULT
