The test contains 3 Short answer questions and 30 multiple choice questions. Manage your time to complete all parts of the exam.

Use this zoom link to ask questions during the exam.  You must access it from here.  Wait your turn in the waiting room.  Once your question is answered you must leave the zoom room immediately.  You can come and go as needed. Zoom link:  https://uwmadison.zoom.us/j/96314166660

Blood work results are: Partial CBC Results Test Result Reference RBC 6.5 x 106/ µL 5.0 – 10.0  x 106/ µL WBC 23.8 x 103 / µL 5.5 – 19.5 x 103 / µL HGB 12.5 g/dL 9.8 – 15.4 g/dL PCV 23% 30 – 45%   Chemistry Profile Test Result Reference TP 8.2 g/dL 6.0 – 7.9 AST 76 U/L 7 – 38 U/L ALT 54 U/L 25 – 97 U/L TBIL 0.4 mg/dL 0 – 0.1 mg/dL ALKP 34 U/L 0 – 45 U/L ALB 2.1 g/dL 2.8 – 3.9 g/dL GLOB 6.1 g/dL 2.6 – 5.1 g/dL CHOL 140 mEq/L 71 – 156 mEq/L BUN 15 mg/dL 19 – 34 mg/dL CREAT 1.1 mg/dL 0.9 – 2.2 mg/dL  

Which of Tuna’s values are abnormal? What pattern(s) do you observe? Which laboratory findings are most supportive of an inflammatory disease process?

The veterinarian is concerned about septic peritonitis as a differential diagnosis. What samples should be submitted for bacterial culture? Should aerobic culture, anaerobic culture, or both be requested? What collection containers are appropriate? How should samples be stored and transported? Why should culture samples be collected before antibiotic administration?

Your vet wants you to calculate the albumin:globulin ratio to help confirm this diagnosis as well as send some serum off to your lab for a FIP/coronavirus antibody titer. Calculate the A:G ratio. What is the normal feline A:G ratio? Why is this ratio useful in FIP cases? What result increases suspicion for FIP?

Based on the clinical signs and test results, your veterinarian believes that Tuna may have FIP and asks the owners for consent to run a serological test to aid in diagnosis. The owners agree and leave Tuna with you to be hospitalized until the test results come back. As the Blenck’s are leaving, Mrs. Blenck stops and asks you if it is possible that she could have FIP too as she has not been feeling well the last few days.

What does a positive Wood’s lamp indicate? What percentage of Microsporum canis infections fluoresce under a Wood’s lamp? Why is a positive Wood’s lamp considered a screening test rather than a definitive diagnosis? If a cat is infected with Microsporum canis but does not fluoresce under the Wood’s lamp, what type of diagnostic error has occurred: Type I (false positive) or Type II (false negative)? Resources: Dermatophytosis in Dogs and Cats Laboratory Procedures for Veterinary Technicians: Chapter 44 – Mycology Common Diseases of Companion Animals E-Book

What lab instrument would you use to find the specific gravity and protein levels for this fluid?

The diagnosis has already been given to you, but in a clinical setting you would need to think of a differential list based on presentation. Although this would normally be the job of the veterinarian and not you (the RVT), sometimes doctors can fall into confirmation biases. It’s important that we’re capable of offering alternatives to prevent things from being overlooked. Based on the history, physical examination findings, and radiographs: List 3 differential diagnoses. Which findings support each diagnosis?