ICAR AICE-JRF/SRF Veterinary Obstetrics: practice questions

Question 1 · hard

Infection of a bovine fetus with non-cytopathic bovine viral diarrhoea virus at which stage is most likely to produce a persistently infected, immunotolerant calf?

1. Only at the moment of calving
2. In roughly the first four months of gestation, before fetal immune competence
3. Only after colostrum intake
4. In the last month of gestation, when the fetus is usually growing fastest and most exposed

Question 2 · hard

Which placental change is characteristic of bovine hydrallantois?

1. Excess binucleate cell fusion causing placental hypertrophy (only in the amnion)
2. Fewer functional placentomes with compensatory accessory (adventitial) placentation
3. A normal placenta, with a fetal pharyngeal defect that prevents the swallowing of fluid
4. Premature separation at the cervical star

Question 3 · hard

After successful correction of a long-standing torsion in a buffalo, the cervix remains only two fingers open 12 hours later. What is the most appropriate course?

1. Proceed to caesarean section, as failed cervical dilation after correction is common in buffalo
2. Give oxytocin repeatedly every hour until the cervix dilates fully, however long this takes
3. Apply forced traction on the fetus through the partly open cervix using a mechanical calf puller
4. Repeat the rolling procedure every hour indefinitely

Question 4 · hard

An old dairy cow in labour is weak, with cold extremities, and the calf is correctly disposed but not advancing; there is no obstruction. Which maternal factor should be corrected first?

1. Fetal oversize
2. A vaginal cystocele
3. Hypocalcaemia causing primary uterine inertia
4. Pelvic exostosis

Question 5 · hard

A buffalo is presented four days after onset of labour with an uncorrected torsion and a dead, emphysematous fetus. Which statement is most accurate?

1. Rolling usually corrects the torsion at this stage, because the dead fetus makes the uterus lighter to turn
2. Standing left flank caesarean has the same good prognosis as an elective case at term
3. A ventral or ventrolateral approach is often used, with a poorer prognosis than in an early bovine case
4. Fetotomy through the undilated cervix is the method of choice, as it avoids a laparotomy altogether

Question 6 · hard

Which technique allows ovariohysterectomy at the time of canine caesarean section with the fastest delivery of the pups?

1. En bloc removal of the gravid uterus followed by rapid delivery of pups by assistants
2. Fetotomy then ovariohysterectomy
3. Transvaginal delivery then laparoscopy
4. Hysterotomy and delivery of all pups, followed by a separate delayed ovariectomy two weeks later

Question 7 · hard

A pregnant buffalo has a vaginal prolapse that persists when she stands, with the bladder retroverted into it so that she cannot urinate. Which sequence is correct?

1. Give oxytocin and leave the prolapse until calving
2. Amputate the prolapsed vagina
3. Clean the mass, give caudal epidural, lift the prolapse to drain the bladder, replace it and retain it until the onset of labour
4. Apply a permanent vulval closure without releasing it at calving

Question 8 · hard

10 per cent calcium gluconate contains about 9.3 mg of elemental calcium per mL. How much elemental calcium is in 8 mL?

1. About 9.3 mg
2. About 800 mg
3. About 74 mg
4. About 930 mg

Question 9 · hard

An older multiparous mare becomes colicky, sweating and pale within hours of foaling, with a rising heart rate. What is the most important differential?

1. Rupture of the uterine artery with internal haemorrhage
2. Neonatal isoerythrolysis
3. Retained placenta for 30 minutes
4. Normal post-foaling cramps requiring no assessment

Question 10 · hard

Which statement about diagnostic success in abortion investigations is most accurate?

1. The placenta is rarely useful
2. A cause is found in almost every case if serum is submitted
3. Even good laboratories find a cause in well under half of submissions, partly because fetuses are autolysed and placentas are missing
4. Autolysis does not affect diagnosis