Original questions written to this exam's published syllabus and pattern. Not past papers.
1. A citrate tube designed for 2.7 mL of blood and 0.3 mL of citrate (9:1) is filled with only 1.35 mL of blood. What is the blood-to-citrate ratio, and what is its effect on the clotting times?
9:1, with no effect
18:1, falsely prolonging PT and aPTT
4.5:1, falsely prolonging PT and aPTT
4.5:1, falsely shortening PT and aPTT
Answer and working
C. 4.5:1, falsely prolonging PT and aPTT
Ratio = 1.35 / 0.3 = 4.5:1 instead of 9:1. Excess citrate binds the calcium added during testing and dilutes the plasma, so times are falsely prolonged. 18:1 would be an overfilled tube.
Veterinary Physiology I: Body Fluids, Blood, Circulation, Respiration and Excretion · Haemostasis and coagulation
2. A dairy cow is inseminated on 1 March and confirmed pregnant. Using an average gestation of 283 days, which is the expected calving date?
1 December
8 January
9 December
19 November
Answer and working
C. 9 December
From 1 March to 30 November is 274 days (30 + 30 + 31 + 30 + 31 + 31 + 30 + 31 + 30), so day 283 falls 9 days later, on 9 December. 1 December assumes exactly nine calendar months (275 days); 8 January corresponds to 313 days, roughly a buffalo-length gestation; 19 November corresponds to 263 days. Gestation length varies with breed, sex of calf and individual, so a range is expected around the date.
3. A dog receiving prednisolone for several weeks has a markedly increased serum alkaline phosphatase with mild changes in other liver tests. The most likely explanation is:
Induction of a glucocorticoid-specific ALP isoenzyme
Acute hepatocellular necrosis
Bone growth
Haemolysis in the sample
Answer and working
A. Induction of a glucocorticoid-specific ALP isoenzyme
In dogs, glucocorticoids induce a distinct ALP isoenzyme, so ALP rises without necessarily indicating cholestatic disease. Hepatocellular necrosis is best reflected by ALT; bone ALP is high in young growing dogs.
Veterinary Biochemistry · Enzymes and enzyme kinetics
4. Several European countries, notably the Netherlands and the Nordic countries, have moved from blanket to selective dry-cow therapy. The main reason is:
Selective therapy increases milk yield in the next lactation by definition
To reduce antimicrobial use while still treating infected quarters
Teat sealants are banned in these countries
Dry-cow antibiotics are ineffective against all mastitis pathogens
Answer and working
B. To reduce antimicrobial use while still treating infected quarters
Selective dry-cow therapy treats only cows judged infected (for example by SCC history or culture), often with teat sealants for the rest, cutting antimicrobial use as part of stewardship. Teat sealants are widely used, and dry-cow antibiotics do cure many infections.
Livestock Production Management I: General Principles and Ruminants · Care of pregnant and lactating animals
5. In the European Union, what was the status of zinc oxide at pharmacological concentrations in weaner pig feed from June 2022?
It became mandatory for all piglets in the first two weeks after weaning
It was allowed only in certified organic herds, where antibiotics are not permitted at all
It was reclassified as a growth promoter and allowed without prescription
Its use at medicinal levels ended, for environmental and resistance reasons
Answer and working
D. Its use at medicinal levels ended, for environmental and resistance reasons
Medicinal zinc oxide for post-weaning diarrhoea was phased out in the EU in June 2022 because of zinc accumulation in soil and co-selection for antimicrobial resistance. Rules in other countries differ, so check the national position.