ICAR AICE-JRF/SRF Integrative and Ethno-Veterinary Medicine: practice questions

1 · Documenting ethno-veterinary knowledge · medium

In an ethnoveterinary survey, informants give 48 use reports for gastrointestinal disorders, naming 9 plant species. Using ICF = (Nur − Nt)/(Nur − 1), what is the informant consensus factor?

1. 0.81
2. 0.19
3. 0.17
4. 0.83

2 · Documenting ethno-veterinary knowledge · easy

Thirty informants together give 45 use reports for one plant species. Using UV = ΣUi/N, what is its use value?

1. 0.67
2. 1.5
3. 15
4. 2.5

3 · Evidence base for integrative therapies · medium

In a trial of a plant anthelmintic, treated lambs average 600 eggs per gram after treatment and untreated controls average 900. Using FECR = 100 × (1 − T2/C2), what is the faecal egg count reduction?

1. 67%
2. 33%
3. 50%
4. 150%

4 · Evidence base for integrative therapies · hard

Diarrhoea occurs in 10 of 40 calves fed a plant additive and 16 of 40 controls. What is the relative risk reduction?

1. 37.5%
2. 15%
3. 62.5%
4. 60%

5 · Evidence base for integrative therapies · easy

An owner has been giving a dog garlic daily as a 'natural' flea remedy. Which problem is most likely?

1. Hypoglycaemia from excess insulin release by the pancreas
2. Acute kidney injury from calcium oxalate crystal formation
3. Heinz body haemolytic anaemia from oxidative red cell damage
4. Primary photosensitisation from a hypericin-like pigment

6 · Evidence base for integrative therapies · hard

Which pair of effects is characteristic of St John's wort (Hypericum perforatum)?

1. Hepatogenous photosensitisation from phylloerythrin, and inhibition of CYP3A4 in the liver
2. Heinz body anaemia from disulfides, and inhibition of platelet aggregation
3. Cardiac arrhythmia from aconitine, and blockade of sodium channel opening
4. Primary photosensitisation from hypericin, and induction of CYP3A4 and P-glycoprotein

7 · Evidence base for integrative therapies · hard

A horse receiving a liquorice-based herbal mix is also on a loop diuretic. Which abnormality is most likely to be worsened?

1. Hyperkalaemia from aldosterone deficiency
2. Hypokalaemia from mineralocorticoid excess
3. Hypercalcaemia from vitamin D excess
4. Hypoglycaemia from insulin hypersecretion

8 · Evidence base for integrative therapies · medium

A cat develops weakness, ataxia and tremors after the owner applied undiluted tea tree oil to its coat. Why are cats particularly at risk from such oils?

1. Their capacity for glucuronide conjugation of phenolic compounds is low
2. Their skin cannot absorb any lipid-soluble substance applied to the coat
3. They metabolise terpenes faster than dogs and form toxic acids at once
4. Their kidneys secrete essential oils unchanged, causing tubular necrosis

9 · Regulation of integrative veterinary practice · medium

Plant material used in a herbal feed mix is contaminated with aflatoxin B1. Which residue appears in the milk of dairy cows fed it?

1. Aflatoxin M1
2. Aflatoxin G2
3. Ochratoxin A
4. Zearalenone

10 · Regulation of integrative veterinary practice · medium

Why are pyrrolizidine alkaloid-containing plants a residue concern in food-producing animals?

1. They are destroyed completely in the rumen and cannot reach food
2. The alkaloids pass into milk, eggs and honey and are cumulative liver toxins
3. They pass only into wool and hides and never into edible products
4. They are approved feed additives with a maximum residue limit set in every country