Australasian Veterinary Examination, formerly the National Veterinary Examination Animal Welfare, Ethics & Veterinary Jurisprudence: practice questions

1 · Judicial procedure · easy

An owner sues a veterinarian in a civil court, alleging that negligent surgery killed her dog. What standard of proof must the owner meet?

1. On the balance of probabilities: that negligence was more likely than not
2. Beyond reasonable doubt, the same standard that applies to cruelty prosecutions
3. Scientific certainty, which requires a post-mortem showing the exact surgical error
4. A prima facie case only, after which the veterinarian must prove innocence

2 · Species identification · medium

On a horse's upper corner incisor, Galvayne's groove extends about halfway down the tooth from the gum. What age does the traditional description suggest?

1. About 10 years
2. About 20 years
3. About 15 years
4. About 30 years

3 · Animal insurance · medium

An insured horse has a surgical colic, the owner cannot afford surgery, the horse is in severe pain, and the insurer's emergency line cannot be reached. What should the veterinarian do?

1. Keep the horse alive on analgesia until the insurer can be reached during office hours
2. Euthanase on humane grounds, record why, and notify the insurer as soon as possible
3. Refuse to euthanase, because an insured horse may never be euthanased without consent
4. Euthanase, but record the cause as a fracture so that the claim is more likely to succeed

4 · Offences against animals · hard

You are asked by an inspector to examine twelve thin ponies in a neglect case. Which record will be most useful to the court?

1. Identity, body condition score, injuries, feet, parasites and the environment, photographed with a scale
2. A short note that the ponies looked thin and unhappy, so that the report remains easy to read
3. Only the post-mortem findings of any pony that dies, since live findings are not admissible
4. The owner's explanation of events, written up as your own conclusion on cause and duration

5 · Code of conduct and professional ethics · medium

An owner signs a consent form for a cruciate repair on her dog but is not told the likely cost, which turns out to be three times her expectation. Was her consent informed?

1. No, because cost is part of the information a client needs for informed consent
2. Yes, because a signed consent form is conclusive proof that consent was informed
3. Yes, because fees are a business matter and play no part in consent at all
4. No, because consent for surgery can be given only by the referring veterinarian

6 · Code of conduct and professional ethics · medium

An assistant veterinarian employed by a practice negligently injures a client's horse during a routine procedure. Who is usually liable to the client?

1. The employer, vicariously, as well as the assistant who was negligent
2. Only the assistant, because employers are never liable for employees
3. Only the client, because owners accept all risks of routine procedures
4. Only the veterinary regulator, which licensed the assistant to practise

7 · Animal welfare law · medium

What is the key legal advantage of a 'duty of care' welfare statute over an older anti-cruelty statute?

1. Penalties apply only after an animal has died, which makes cases easier to prove
2. Action can be taken before an animal suffers, when its needs are not being met
3. It removes the need for veterinary evidence in every welfare prosecution
4. It applies only to farm animals, leaving pets to the older cruelty laws