South Africa · South African Veterinary Council · licensing
1442practice questions written to this syllabus
51subjects
Format
(1) Computer-based exam: 4 papers of 90 marks, 1.5 hours each, at least 50% in each. (2) Practical: 3 panels, average at least 50% and at least 45% per panel. (3) Spay: bitch ovariohysterectomy scored by direct observation (DOPS), at least 50%. Fee R44,961.
Sections
Paper 1: small animal 50, equine 30, exotics/birds 10
Paper 2: bovine 30, small stock 30, porcine 15, poultry 15
Paper 4: State veterinary medicine 35, epidemiology 15, law & ethics 15, welfare 15, wildlife 10
Over the years
For foreign or non-prescribed degrees; UP BVSc and listed UK/AU/NZ degrees are exempt. The syllabus includes South African acts (Animal Diseases Act 35/1984, Meat Safety Act 40/2000, Act 36/1947, Medicines Act 101/1965), tropical diseases and local plant poisonings. Compulsory community service applies.
Original questions written to this exam's published syllabus and pattern. Not past papers.
1. An adult cow is dehorned close to the skull and the wound opens into an air-filled cavity. Which cavity has been opened?
Frontal sinus
Maxillary sinus
Cranial cavity
Dorsal nasal meatus
Answer and working
A. Frontal sinus
In the adult ox the caudal part of the frontal sinus extends into the horn core (cornual diverticulum), so dehorning opens it and can lead to frontal sinusitis. The maxillary sinus lies in the face below the orbit, and the cranial cavity is protected by the inner table of the frontal bone.
Veterinary Gross Anatomy · Comparative osteology
2. Double muscling in the Belgian Blue breed is due to a mutation affecting which gene?
BMPR1B (Booroola)
Kappa-casein
Myostatin
Halothane (RYR1)
Answer and working
C. Myostatin
Belgian Blue double muscling results from a loss-of-function mutation in myostatin, a negative regulator of muscle growth. BMPR1B is the FecB prolificacy gene of sheep; the halothane RYR1 mutation causes porcine stress syndrome; kappa-casein variants affect cheese yield.
Livestock Production Management I: General Principles and Ruminants · Breeds and home tracts of cattle and buffalo
3. Under EU Directive 2008/120/EC, during which period must sows and gilts be kept in groups?
Only during the last month of pregnancy before moving to farrowing
From the day of service until two weeks before expected farrowing
From weaning until the day the sow is moved into the farrowing crate
From four weeks after service to one week before expected farrowing
Answer and working
D. From four weeks after service to one week before expected farrowing
The Directive requires group housing from four weeks after service to one week before the expected farrowing date. The first four weeks may be spent in stalls because mixing during implantation risks embryo loss, which is why 'from the day of service' is wrong.
Livestock Production Management II: Monogastric and Laboratory Animals · Swine housing
4. Sheep on dense ryegrass pasture with much dead litter after warm humid autumn weather develop photosensitisation and jaundice. Which disease and toxin are most likely, in New Zealand conditions?
Facial eczema, from sporidesmin of Pithomyces chartarum spores
Annual ryegrass toxicity, from Claviceps ergot alkaloids alone
Ryegrass staggers, from lolitrem B made by the leaf endophyte
Fescue foot, from ergovaline made inside tall fescue stems
Answer and working
A. Facial eczema, from sporidesmin of Pithomyces chartarum spores
Pithomyces chartarum sporulates on dead litter in warm humid weather; sporidesmin damages bile ducts and causes hepatogenous photosensitisation (facial eczema). Ryegrass staggers causes tremors, not jaundice; annual ryegrass toxicity is from corynetoxins; fescue foot is a tall fescue problem.
Fodder Production & Grassland Management · Toxic plants in pasture
5. Why is artificial insemination routine in commercial heavy broad-breasted turkeys?
Heavy, broad-breasted toms cannot mate naturally with reliable success
Turkey sperm cannot survive in the hen's oviduct for more than a few hours
Turkey toms produce no motile sperm
Turkey hens cannot store sperm
Answer and working
A. Heavy, broad-breasted toms cannot mate naturally with reliable success
Selection for size and breast conformation has made heavy toms too large and awkward for effective natural mating, so breeding relies on AI. Turkey hens in fact store sperm for weeks in sperm-host glands, and tom semen is fertile.
Avian and Poultry Production Management · Poultry breeds and strains
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