VCNA January 2023

Question 1

A 2-year-old guinea pig undergoing a laparotomy requires effective analgesia. Which analgesic protocol is best supported by evidence in this species?

A) Tramadol 10 mg/kg SC every 12 hours
B) Buprenorphine 0.2 mg/kg SC every 6 hours
C) Meloxicam 0.1 mg/kg PO once daily

Answer 1

B) Buprenorphine 0.2 mg/kg SC every 6 hours

Question 2

A pet prairie dog is scheduled for surgery. Based on current recommendations, which NSAID dosage is considered potentially inadequate in this species?

A) Meloxicam 0.2 mg/kg PO once daily
B) Carprofen 4 mg/kg SC once daily
C) Ketoprofen 5 mg/kg SC every 12 hours

Answer 2

A) Meloxicam 0.2 mg/kg PO once daily

Question 3

A 3-year-old ferret is receiving meloxicam for postoperative pain. What key pharmacokinetic consideration must be made when treating female ferrets?

A) They have a slower drug elimination and higher plasma concentrations
B) They exhibit no difference in drug metabolism compared to males
C) They exhibit faster drug elimination and lower plasma concentrations

Answer 3

C) They exhibit faster drug elimination and lower plasma concentrations

Question 4

A rabbit recovering from ovariohysterectomy is showing signs of moderate pain. Which of the following analgesic protocols is supported by evidence as effective for this procedure?

A) Meloxicam 0.3 mg/kg PO once daily
B) Buprenorphine 0.05 mg/kg SC every 12 hours
C) Meloxicam 1 mg/kg PO once daily plus buprenorphine 0.05 mg/kg SC every 8 hours

Answer 4

C) Meloxicam 1 mg/kg PO once daily plus buprenorphine 0.05 mg/kg SC every 8 hours

Question 5

Which behavior most reliably indicates pain in a laboratory rabbit according to validated behavioral scoring systems?

A) Increased grooming
B) Increased social interaction
C) Twitching and wincing with back arching

Answer 5

C) Twitching and wincing with back arching

Question 6

Which of the following behaviors in ferrets is most consistent with moderate to severe pain?

A) Active grooming and exploratory sniffing
B) Rolled up sleeping position with piloerection
C) Squinting, inactivity, and refusal to eat

Answer 6

C) Squinting, inactivity, and refusal to eat

Question 7

Which of the following behaviors may reliably indicate acute pain in rodents when assessed using validated tools?

A) Increased nesting and social grooming
B) Decreased activity and flattened cheek bulge on grimace scale
C) Pica and increased rearing frequency

Answer 7

B) Decreased activity and flattened cheek bulge on grimace scale