HAWAII VETERINARY STATE LICENSING EXAM
COMPLETE QUESTIONS WITH 100% CORRECT
ANSWERS
1. Which Hawaiian island is considered rabies-free, and what is the
primary consequence for importing a mammal that breaks quarantine
there?
A. Maui – immediate euthanasia of the animal
B. Oahu – 180-day home quarantine
C. Hawaii (Big Island) – 120-day quarantine at owner’s expense
D. Kauai – release only after 2 negative rabies titers
Correct answer: B – Oahu – 180-day home quarantine
*Explanation: Hawaii is the only rabies-free state in the US. Oahu has
the main quarantine station. The standard direct release requires 5
years of rabies vaccination, microchip, and an FAVN titer ≥0.5 IU/mL. If
an animal breaks quarantine (e.g., direct airport release without
paperwork), the consequence is 180-day home quarantine (or 120-day
at the station). Euthanasia is only for unvaccinated bites or rules
violations.*
2. A horse in Hilo presents with fever, depression, limb edema, and
oral mucosal petechiae. Which reportable disease in Hawaii is most
likely, and what is the first confirmatory test?
,A. Equine infectious anemia – Coggins test
B. Leptospirosis – darkfield microscopy of blood
C. West Nile virus – IgM capture ELISA
D. Pigeon fever – culture of exudate
Correct answer: A – Equine infectious anemia – Coggins test
Explanation: EIA (swamp fever) is reportable in Hawaii and causes fever,
petechiae, ventral edema. Coggins (AGID) is the official test. Hawaii has
had sporadic EIA cases; Coggins required for interstate movement.
Leptospirosis is possible but less likely with petechiae and limb edema.
3. A dog in Kona presents with acute renal failure, vomiting, and black
tarry stool. On necropsy, you find multifocal renal tubular necrosis.
What is the most likely plant toxicity in Hawaii?
A. Oleander (Nerium oleander)
B. Lantana (Lantana camara)
C. Dumb cane (Dieffenbachia)
D. Easter lily (Lilium longiflorum)
Correct answer: D – Easter lily (Lilium longiflorum)
Explanation: Lilies (true lilies) are highly nephrotoxic to cats. The
question says “dog” – trick – but in Hawaii, lilies grow year-round. Acute
renal failure with tubular necrosis in any mammal after lily ingestion is
classic. Dogs can also be affected but less sensitive. Oleander causes
cardiac glycoside toxicity.
4. You are at a dairy on Oahu. Several cows have sudden fever,
anorexia, drop in milk, and bloody diarrhea. Some abort. Which
,Hawaii reportable disease is top differential?
A. Bovine viral diarrhea virus
B. Salmonellosis
C. Leptospirosis
D. Q fever
Correct answer: C – Leptospirosis
Explanation: Leptospirosis is endemic in Hawaii livestock and wildlife
(especially rats, pigs, cattle). Acute fever, hemolytic anemia,
hemoglobinuria, abortion, and “milk drop” are classic. It is reportable to
Hawaii Department of Agriculture. BVD is possible but less acute bloody
diarrhea.
5. A veterinarian in Kauai sees a feral pig with focal alopecia, thick
wrinkled skin, and crusted lesions on ears and snout. What zoonotic
parasite is the likely cause?
A. Sarcoptes scabiei var. suis
B. Demodex phylloides
C. Haematopinus suis (hog louse)
D. Trombicula alfreddugesi (chigger)
Correct answer: A – Sarcoptes scabiei var. suis
Explanation: Sarcoptic mange in pigs causes intense pruritus, crusting,
alopecia, thickened skin. It is zoonotic – “sarcoptic mange” in humans
causes transient pruritic papules. Hawaii feral pigs are reservoirs.
Demodex is non-zoonotic and non-pruritic.
, 6. What is the mandatory holding period for a dog or cat arriving in
Hawaii from a rabies-affected area if rabies vaccination and microchip
are current but FAVN titer is pending?
A. Direct release at airport after paying fee
B. 30-day quarantine at owner’s home
C. 120-day quarantine at the State Animal Quarantine Station
D. 5-day hold at vet clinic for titer results
Correct answer: C – 120-day quarantine at the State Animal
Quarantine Station
*Explanation: Hawaii’s rabies quarantine rules: To qualify for 5-day-or-
less quarantine, need 2 vaccines, microchip, FAVN ≥0.5 IU/mL. Without
FAVN results, minimum 120-day station quarantine. 30-day home
quarantine is not an option unless in the “Direct Release” program after
titer pass.*
7. A green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) is brought to a Hawaii wildlife
center with multiple fibroepithelial tumors on the eyes and flippers.
Which virus is implicated, and how is it transmitted?
A. Herpesvirus – through water contamination
B. Papillomavirus – direct contact
C. Chelonid fibropapilloma-associated herpesvirus – possibly via leeches
and environmental triggers
D. Poxvirus – via biting insects
Correct answer: C – Chelonid fibropapilloma-associated herpesvirus –
possibly via leeches and environmental triggers
*Explanation: Fibropapillomatosis in Hawaiian green sea turtles is
caused by Chelonid herpesvirus 5 (ChHV5). Leeches (Ozobranchus) are
COMPLETE QUESTIONS WITH 100% CORRECT
ANSWERS
1. Which Hawaiian island is considered rabies-free, and what is the
primary consequence for importing a mammal that breaks quarantine
there?
A. Maui – immediate euthanasia of the animal
B. Oahu – 180-day home quarantine
C. Hawaii (Big Island) – 120-day quarantine at owner’s expense
D. Kauai – release only after 2 negative rabies titers
Correct answer: B – Oahu – 180-day home quarantine
*Explanation: Hawaii is the only rabies-free state in the US. Oahu has
the main quarantine station. The standard direct release requires 5
years of rabies vaccination, microchip, and an FAVN titer ≥0.5 IU/mL. If
an animal breaks quarantine (e.g., direct airport release without
paperwork), the consequence is 180-day home quarantine (or 120-day
at the station). Euthanasia is only for unvaccinated bites or rules
violations.*
2. A horse in Hilo presents with fever, depression, limb edema, and
oral mucosal petechiae. Which reportable disease in Hawaii is most
likely, and what is the first confirmatory test?
,A. Equine infectious anemia – Coggins test
B. Leptospirosis – darkfield microscopy of blood
C. West Nile virus – IgM capture ELISA
D. Pigeon fever – culture of exudate
Correct answer: A – Equine infectious anemia – Coggins test
Explanation: EIA (swamp fever) is reportable in Hawaii and causes fever,
petechiae, ventral edema. Coggins (AGID) is the official test. Hawaii has
had sporadic EIA cases; Coggins required for interstate movement.
Leptospirosis is possible but less likely with petechiae and limb edema.
3. A dog in Kona presents with acute renal failure, vomiting, and black
tarry stool. On necropsy, you find multifocal renal tubular necrosis.
What is the most likely plant toxicity in Hawaii?
A. Oleander (Nerium oleander)
B. Lantana (Lantana camara)
C. Dumb cane (Dieffenbachia)
D. Easter lily (Lilium longiflorum)
Correct answer: D – Easter lily (Lilium longiflorum)
Explanation: Lilies (true lilies) are highly nephrotoxic to cats. The
question says “dog” – trick – but in Hawaii, lilies grow year-round. Acute
renal failure with tubular necrosis in any mammal after lily ingestion is
classic. Dogs can also be affected but less sensitive. Oleander causes
cardiac glycoside toxicity.
4. You are at a dairy on Oahu. Several cows have sudden fever,
anorexia, drop in milk, and bloody diarrhea. Some abort. Which
,Hawaii reportable disease is top differential?
A. Bovine viral diarrhea virus
B. Salmonellosis
C. Leptospirosis
D. Q fever
Correct answer: C – Leptospirosis
Explanation: Leptospirosis is endemic in Hawaii livestock and wildlife
(especially rats, pigs, cattle). Acute fever, hemolytic anemia,
hemoglobinuria, abortion, and “milk drop” are classic. It is reportable to
Hawaii Department of Agriculture. BVD is possible but less acute bloody
diarrhea.
5. A veterinarian in Kauai sees a feral pig with focal alopecia, thick
wrinkled skin, and crusted lesions on ears and snout. What zoonotic
parasite is the likely cause?
A. Sarcoptes scabiei var. suis
B. Demodex phylloides
C. Haematopinus suis (hog louse)
D. Trombicula alfreddugesi (chigger)
Correct answer: A – Sarcoptes scabiei var. suis
Explanation: Sarcoptic mange in pigs causes intense pruritus, crusting,
alopecia, thickened skin. It is zoonotic – “sarcoptic mange” in humans
causes transient pruritic papules. Hawaii feral pigs are reservoirs.
Demodex is non-zoonotic and non-pruritic.
, 6. What is the mandatory holding period for a dog or cat arriving in
Hawaii from a rabies-affected area if rabies vaccination and microchip
are current but FAVN titer is pending?
A. Direct release at airport after paying fee
B. 30-day quarantine at owner’s home
C. 120-day quarantine at the State Animal Quarantine Station
D. 5-day hold at vet clinic for titer results
Correct answer: C – 120-day quarantine at the State Animal
Quarantine Station
*Explanation: Hawaii’s rabies quarantine rules: To qualify for 5-day-or-
less quarantine, need 2 vaccines, microchip, FAVN ≥0.5 IU/mL. Without
FAVN results, minimum 120-day station quarantine. 30-day home
quarantine is not an option unless in the “Direct Release” program after
titer pass.*
7. A green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) is brought to a Hawaii wildlife
center with multiple fibroepithelial tumors on the eyes and flippers.
Which virus is implicated, and how is it transmitted?
A. Herpesvirus – through water contamination
B. Papillomavirus – direct contact
C. Chelonid fibropapilloma-associated herpesvirus – possibly via leeches
and environmental triggers
D. Poxvirus – via biting insects
Correct answer: C – Chelonid fibropapilloma-associated herpesvirus –
possibly via leeches and environmental triggers
*Explanation: Fibropapillomatosis in Hawaiian green sea turtles is
caused by Chelonid herpesvirus 5 (ChHV5). Leeches (Ozobranchus) are
