ICAR AIEEA (PG): Master's entrance, Veterinary Science and Animal Sciences · India · NTA for ICAR
Original practice questions written to the published syllabus · not past papersThe horse in health and disease: colic, lameness, respiratory and infectious diseases, dentistry, reproduction, neonatology, performance and welfare. Taught internationally; not a separate MSVE course.
In the exams: NAVLE equine 14.7%; RCVS SME equine 87 of 367 items; SAVC Paper 1 equine 30; ECFVG / NEB CPE equine section
ICAR AIEEA (PG) and AICE-JRF/SRF, Indian state PSC and ASRB papers
Notifiable and infectious diseases of equines (glanders and the mallein test, strangles, EIA and the Coggins test, AHS, equine influenza, EHV), colic types, laminitis, and reproductive physiology of the mare, such as eCG and endometrial cups.
How our questions for ICAR AIEEA spread across the units of Equine Medicine, Surgery & Practice. Difficulty: 15 easy, 12 medium, 3 hard.
| Glanders | 6 | |
| Equine reproduction | 5 | |
| Equine infectious anaemia | 4 | |
| African horse sickness | 4 | |
| Respiratory disease: strangles and equine influenza | 3 | |
| Equine dentistry | 3 | |
| Equine neonatology | 3 | |
| Colic | 1 | |
| Lameness | 1 |
Choose an answer, then open the working. Each explanation says why the right answer is right and why the others are not.
Which virus subtype causes equine influenza in current outbreaks?
C. Influenza A H3N8
H3N8 is the circulating equine influenza subtype. H7N7 has not been isolated for decades and is considered extinct, influenza B does not infect horses as a recognised disease, and H5N1 is avian influenza.
Further reading: WOAH Terrestrial Manual
How is the mallein test for glanders performed and read?
D. Mallein is injected intradermally into the lower eyelid, and swelling with purulent conjunctivitis at about 48 hours is positive
The mallein test is an intradermo-palpebral delayed hypersensitivity test read at about 48 hours, a positive showing eyelid swelling and purulent conjunctivitis. Caudal fold injection with avian comparison describes bovine tuberculin testing, and slide agglutination is a serological method.
Further reading: WOAH Terrestrial Manual
To which virus family does the agent of equine infectious anaemia belong?
B. Retroviridae (a lentivirus)
EIA virus is a lentivirus in the family Retroviridae, which explains lifelong infection. Orthomyxoviridae includes equine influenza, Herpesviridae includes EHV-1 and EHV-4, and orbiviruses include African horse sickness virus.
Further reading: WOAH Terrestrial Manual
What is the 'Coggins test'?
D. An agar gel immunodiffusion test for antibody to EIA virus
The Coggins test is the agar gel immunodiffusion test for EIA antibody, still used as a confirmatory test in many programmes. Complement fixation is the glanders trade test, PCR is used for EHV-1, and intradermal hypersensitivity testing describes the mallein test.
Further reading: WOAH Terrestrial Manual
Which species is regarded as the natural reservoir host of African horse sickness virus?
B. Zebra
Zebras are infected without signs and are considered the reservoir. Donkeys are largely resistant but are not the reservoir, while mules and horses are susceptible and often die.
Further reading: WOAH Terrestrial Manual
Where do sharp enamel points usually form on the cheek teeth of the horse?
A. Buccal edge of the upper and lingual edge of the lower cheek teeth
The maxilla is wider than the mandible (anisognathism), so wear leaves points on the buccal edge of upper cheek teeth and the lingual edge of lower cheek teeth, ulcerating cheek and tongue. The reversed pattern is a common slip.
Further reading: Easley, Dixon & du Toit, Equine Dentistry
A horse has all permanent incisors in wear, including the corners. What is the minimum age this suggests?
A. About five years
Permanent incisors erupt at about 2.5 (centrals), 3.5 (intermediates) and 4.5 years (corners), and come into wear shortly after, so a full permanent arcade in wear means at least about five years. Two and a half years is when only the centrals erupt.
Further reading: Easley, Dixon & du Toit, Equine Dentistry
What is the typical number of permanent teeth in an adult horse, allowing for canines and wolf teeth?
C. 36 to 44
The permanent formula 2 x (I 3/3, C 0-1/0-1, P 3-4/3-4, M 3/3) gives 36 teeth without canines or wolf teeth and up to 44 with all four canines and four wolf teeth. The other ranges do not match the equine formula.
Further reading: Easley, Dixon & du Toit, Equine Dentistry
What is the average length of the mare's oestrous cycle and of oestrus?
D. About 21 days, with oestrus of about 5 to 7 days
The mare's cycle averages about 21 days, with a long oestrus of about 5 to 7 days and ovulation in its last 24 to 48 hours. A 17-day cycle fits the ewe, and an oestrus of about 18 hours fits the cow.
Further reading: McKinnon et al., Equine Reproduction
A foal from a multiparous mare is normal at birth but becomes weak, tachycardic and jaundiced at 36 hours old after sucking well. What is the most likely diagnosis?
C. Neonatal isoerythrolysis
Neonatal isoerythrolysis follows absorption of maternal alloantibody in colostrum against foal red cells, causing haemolysis and jaundice after sucking, typically in foals of multiparous mares. Maladjustment syndrome causes behavioural signs from birth, meconium impaction causes straining and colic, and Rhodococcus affects older foals.
Further reading: Knottenbelt, Holdstock & Madigan, Equine Neonatology
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