Final Vet Exams

Small Animal

Obligate Anaerobes

Incapable of aerobic metabolism but variably tolerant of oxygen, replicate at sites with low oxidation-reduction potential.

Anaerobic bacteria commonly affect:

Areas associated with mucous membranes.

Obligate Anaerobes

Incapable of aerobic metabolism but variably tolerant of oxygen, replicate at sites with low oxidation-reduction potential.

Anaerobic bacteria commonly affect:

Areas associated with mucous membranes.

Physical exam findings for Anaerobic bacteria:

Foul odour, gas in tissue, discolored tissue, ascites, pleural effusion, signs of pyometra, dental disease, non-healing wounds.

CBC/biochemistry/urinalysis findings for Anaerobic bacteria:

Neutrophilic leukocytosis and monocytosis. Biochemical abnormalities depend on organ involvement. Sepsis suggested by leukocytosis or leukopaenia, hypoglycaemia and hypoalbuminaemia.

Beta-lactam

Amoxicillin and clavulanic acid. Useful for infections originating from the periodontal cavity, skin, or urinary tract

Cephalosporin

Cefoxitin. Provides reliable activity against anaerobes.

Lincomycin

Clindamycin. Useful for respiratory tract infections.

Nitroimidazole

Metronidazole. Useful against all clinically significant anaerobes except Actinomyces.

Spectrum of Beta-lactams and Cephalosporins:

Gram+ve bacteria and anaerobes. Cephalosporins more effectively kill gram-ve bacteria and are also resistant to beta-lactamase/penicillinase.

Side effects of Fluoroquinolones:

Cartilage erosion and tendon damage to young animals (esp. puppies and foals), but cats tend to be resistant to this. Associated with retinal degeneration in cats (not with pradofloxacin though). Enrofloxacin causes tissue necrosis at the injection site.

Side effects of Tetracyclines:

Oral administration in hindgut fermenters and ruminants causes dysbiosis. so IM for these species. Doxycycline has fatal cardiac effects in horses, so no IV administration. Chelation with calcium occurs, so IV administration must be slow and give on an empty stomach. Out of date formulations are toxic.

MOA of NSAIDs

Inhibit COX in the arachidonic acid (AA) pathway resulting in inhibition of prostaglandin production.

COX1 is responsible for:

Gastric cytoprotection, platelet function and renal function

COX2 is primarily associated with:

Inflammation

Prostaglandins contribute to:

Vasodilation, pain and fever

Tranquilisers

Anxiolytic

Sedatives:

May be anxiolytic but also reduce response to external stimuli

MOA of Acepromazine:

Dopamine receptor antagonist that causes sedation

Cons of Acepromazine:

Causes vasodilation/hypotension, hypothermia and splenic dilation, higher dose leads to higher side effects but not increased sedation, no reversal.

MOA of Benzodiazepines:

Enhance GABA receptor’s affinity for GABA. GABA is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter of the CNS

Main uses of Benzodiazepines:

Sedation, anxiolysis, muscle relaxation, amnesia and anti-convulsant

IV fluid administration:

Rapid distribution in the body. Used for emergencies, when precise control is needed and blood products

Crystalloids:

Sodium chloride, other electrolytes and glucose. Most commonly used IV fluids

Colloids:

Effective blood volume expansion as large molecules are trapped inside blood vessels and hold water inside the vessels

Capnography:

Most sensitive indicator of return to spontaneous circulation

Primary survey of small animal emergency patients:

Brief history, ABC assessment Neurological (mentation, sensory etc.) Thermoregulation Pain

Hypovolaemia shock:

Decreased circulating blood volume

Shock organ for cats:

Pulmonary oedema

Treatment of shock:

Aims to support cardiac and organ function

AFAST

Initial imaging test of choice for blunt trauma. Rapid, portable, non-invasive, sensitive and specific for free fluid.

Glide Sign:

Movement of pulmonary pleura against parietal pleura.

A-lines:

Air reverberation artifact. Presence is normal, absence is wet lung or pneumothorax

Glide Sign:

Movement of pulmonary pleura against parietal pleura

Honey:

Used for debridement phase not granulation phase. Contraindicated in bleeding, granulating and epithelialising wounds. Accelerates degradation of exposed surgical sutures

Pathologic findings of feline lymphoma:

White to grey in colour with areas of haemorrhage and necrosis. Cytologic: monomorphic population of intermediate to large lymphoblasts vs small mature lymphocytes in SCL. Histopathologic: Nasal lymphoma is usually immunoblastic B-cell in origin

Glucocorticoids:

Suppression of every component of the inflammatory process. Used for hypoadrenocorticism, inflammation, immunosuppression and as an anti-neoplastic agent

Diabetes mellitus in cats:

Insulin deficiency causing disorder of carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism. results in persistent hyperglycaemia

Biochemistry for diabetes mellitus in cats:

Glucose > 150 mg/dL, Elevated AST, ALT and ALP, Hypercholesterolaemia, hyperbilirubinaemia, hypertriglyceridaemia, Total CO2 or HCO3 low with ketoacidosis or severe dehydration

Histopathology findings for diabetes mellitus in cats:

Islet amyloidosis, vascular or hydropic degeneration of the islets of Langerhans, lymphoplasmacytic pancreatic infiltration rare in cats

Diet for diabetes mellitus in cats:

Ultra-low-carb (

Medication for diabetes mellitus in cats:

1-2 units/cat of insulin q12hr initially