BCSE (Basic & Clinical Sciences Examination) · USA / Canada · ICVA; administered through CVMA-NEB and AVMA-ECFVG
Original practice questions written to the published syllabus · not past papersNormal and abnormal behaviour by species, how pain and stress show, and how welfare is assessed on farm, in transport, at slaughter and in the home.
In the exams: NAVLE animal welfare 6%; BCSE animal welfare 6-7 items; SAVC Paper 4 welfare 15; EAEVE and WOAH Day One competences
BCSE, PAVE QSE and ECFVG (foreign-graduate routes to North America)
Six to seven animal welfare items in the BCSE: Five Freedoms, signs of pain and stress, stunning and slaughter standards, transport fitness and housing standards, often as short applied scenarios.
How our questions for BCSE spread across the units of Animal Behaviour, Ethology & Welfare Science. Difficulty: 18 easy, 38 medium, 10 hard.
| Behavioural problems in companion animals | 12 | |
| Normal behaviour of companion animals | 10 | |
| Handling and restraint | 8 | |
| Welfare in transport | 6 | |
| Welfare at slaughter | 6 | |
| Behavioural signs of pain | 5 | |
| The Five Freedoms and the Five Domains | 5 | |
| Welfare assessment | 5 | |
| Behavioural signs of stress | 4 | |
| Environmental enrichment | 4 | |
| Normal behaviour of farm species | 1 |
Choose an answer, then open the working. Each explanation says why the right answer is right and why the others are not.
Approximately when is the primary socialisation period of the domestic kitten?
C. From about 2 to 7 weeks of age
The kitten's socialisation period is earlier and shorter than the puppy's, about 2 to 7 weeks. The 3 to 14 week figure is the puppy's period, and is the commonest confusion.
Further reading: BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Behavioural Medicine
A dog bows with its forelimbs lowered and its hindquarters raised while facing another dog. What does this signal?
C. An invitation to play, signalling that following actions are play
The play bow is a meta-signal that what follows is play. The 'prayer position' of abdominal pain looks similar but is held, not directed at a play partner, and is not part of social interaction.
Further reading: BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Behavioural Medicine
How many facial action units does the Feline Grimace Scale score, and what is the maximum total?
D. Five action units, each scored 0-2, for a maximum of 10
The FGS scores ear position, orbital tightening, muzzle tension, whisker change and head position, each 0 to 2, total 10, with analgesia considered at 4 or more.
Further reading: Evangelista et al. 2019, Feline Grimace Scale
A welfare study finds high plasma cortisol in boars sampled immediately after mating. What is the most important caution in interpreting this?
A. Cortisol also rises with positive arousal, so it does not prove a negative state
Glucocorticoids rise with arousal of either valence, including mating and play, and with the act of sampling. Reading one high value as distress is the classic error; behaviour and other measures must be read together. Pigs do secrete cortisol.
Further reading: Moberg; Broom and Fraser
Which provision corresponds to the freedom from discomfort?
B. An appropriate environment including shelter and a comfortable resting area
Each freedom has a provision. Discomfort is prevented by shelter and a comfortable resting area. Water and diet answer hunger and thirst; prevention and treatment answer pain, injury or disease; space and company answer normal behaviour.
Further reading: FAWC
Why does WOAH favour animal-based criteria when welfare standards are compared?
C. Because the same resources can produce different welfare outcomes on different farms
Outcomes on the animal reflect the result of resources and management together, which vary between farms. Animal-based measures usually take more skill and time, not less, and resource measures are easy to audit.
Further reading: WOAH Terrestrial Animal Health Code, Section 7
Where should a penetrating captive bolt be placed on an adult cow?
B. Where lines from each eye to the base of the opposite horn cross
The standard frontal site for cattle is the intersection of lines from each eye to the opposite horn base, aimed along the axis of the brain. Placing it at eye level misses the brain; the poll position is used for horned sheep.
Further reading: Grandin; Humane Slaughter Association guidance
Where should a captive bolt be placed for a horned adult sheep?
B. Behind the poll, aimed towards the chin
The horns block the top-of-head site, so horned sheep are shot behind the poll aimed towards the chin. Polled sheep are shot on the top of the head aimed towards the throat; the frontal-to-tail aim describes pigs.
Further reading: Humane Slaughter Association guidance; Grandin
Under the 2022 AAFP/ISFM Cat Friendly Veterinary Interaction Guidelines, which handling method is discouraged?
B. Scruffing or suspending the cat by the skin of the neck
The guidelines advise against scruffing and suspension, which increase fear, and recommend examining cats in their carriers, towel wrapping and rewards.
Further reading: AAFP/ISFM Cat Friendly Veterinary Interaction Guidelines 2022
A dog receiving clomipramine for a separation-related problem is about to be fitted with an amitraz-impregnated collar for tick control. What is the concern?
D. Amitraz has monoamine oxidase inhibitor activity, risking serotonin syndrome
Tricyclic antidepressants and SSRIs should not be combined with MAO inhibitors, including selegiline and amitraz, or with tramadol, because of serotonin syndrome risk. Amitraz is an alpha-2 agonist with MAOI activity, not an SSRI.
Further reading: Veterinary psychopharmacology texts; product data
Ten here, 66 in the app. The Laisha app has every practice question we have written to BCSE in this subject, marked as you go, with timed papers, a jump-to-unanswered list and a certificate when you pass at 70 per cent.
Free for ten days, then one subscription of US$10 a month. We would rather say so here than have you find it later.
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