North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) Practice Test

If a cat has chewed on a lily plant, which test should be performed first to assess potential renal failure?

1. ALT, AST, and GGT levels

2. Abdominal radiographs

3. BUN and creatinine levels

4. Induce emesis and administer activated charcoal

The correct answer is: BUN and creatinine levels

Testing for BUN (blood urea nitrogen) and creatinine levels is vital in assessing renal function, particularly after exposure to toxic substances such as lilies, which are known to cause acute renal failure in cats. When a cat chews on a lily plant, the nephrotoxic components can lead to significant kidney damage, and measuring BUN and creatinine will provide an immediate indication of the kidney's ability to filter waste products from the blood. In cases of suspected toxin ingestion, especially with known nephrotoxins, it is critical to quickly evaluate renal function to determine the severity and potential treatment options for the cat. Elevated levels of BUN and creatinine are clear indicators of renal impairment, giving healthcare providers a direction for further management of the case. Other tests mentioned, such as liver enzyme levels (ALT, AST, GGT), abdominal radiographs, and the induction of emesis with activated charcoal, may be relevant in different scenarios but do not directly assess renal function in the immediate aftermath of lily plant exposure. While liver enzymes may be assessed later, they do not specifically inform about renal failure. Abdominal radiographs might be helpful in different cases but have limited relevance in the context of lily toxicity. Inducing emesis and administering activated