North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) Practice Test

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment

Prepare for the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE). Gain confidence with our flashcards and multiple choice questions, each complete with hints and explanations. Be exam ready!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.


What disease is indicated when young chickens are found dead on their backs with no prior signs?

  1. Highly pathogenic avian influenza

  2. Newcastle disease

  3. Flip-over disease

  4. Ascites syndrome

The correct answer is: Flip-over disease

The disease indicated by young chickens being found dead on their backs with no prior signs is associated with Flip-over disease, also known as "Sudden Death Syndrome." This condition particularly affects young broiler chickens and is characterized by sudden mortality without any apparent clinical signs. Healthy chickens can be found dead, often positioned on their backs. The pathophysiology behind Flip-over disease relates to stress and metabolic disturbances that lead to a rapid increase in heart rate, potentially resulting in a fatal cardiac event. Factors contributing to the development of this condition include rapid growth rates, high stocking densities, and environmental stressors. In contrast, other diseases mentioned, such as Highly pathogenic avian influenza and Newcastle disease, typically present with a range of clinical signs, including respiratory distress, neurological symptoms, or gastrointestinal signs, before death occurs. Ascites syndrome is associated with excess fluid accumulation in the abdomen and is more commonly seen in older chickens or in those exposed to certain environmental stressors, also presenting with other signs prior to mortality.