Veterinary medicine is the branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases and injuries in animals. It encompasses a wide range of animals, from domestic pets to large animals such as horses and cows. There is a wide range of veterinary medicine trivia questions that can be asked, whether you're a veterinarian or someone who is simply interested in the subject.
Here are some examples of veterinary medicine trivia questions you might come across: What is the name of the surgical procedure to fix a broken bone in animals? What is the name of the disease caused by a deficiency of vitamin C in dogs? What is the most common surgical procedure performed on cats? What is the name of the profession that deals with the treatment of animal's diseases? These questions cover a wide range of veterinary medicine topics, from surgical procedures, diseases, and innovations.
In addition to the various veterinary treatments, there are also many fun and interesting facts to learn about veterinary medicine. For example, did you know that the surgical procedure to fix a broken bone in animals is called a Fracture Repair? Or that the disease caused by a deficiency of vitamin C in dogs is called scurvy? These trivia questions will not only test your knowledge but also give you a glimpse into the many fascinating aspects of veterinary medicine, the history of its development, the different types of animals treated, and its impact on animal health and welfare.
110 Veterinary Medicine Trivia Questions Ranked From Easiest to Hardest (Updated for 2024)
- Titled after a controversial comic book it released in 2003, “Your Mommy Kills Animals” is the name of the 2007 Curt Johnson documentary which focuses on what animal rights group?
Answer: PETA
- There are non-image-forming ganglion cells in the human eye (and other mammals) that are still photosensitive and receive light signals that can help regulate and suppress the production of what "M" hormone that helps regulate the sleep-wake schedule?
Answer: Melatonin
- Anoxia is a condition that also occurs in animals, where what crucial element for an animal’s life is dangerously low in the blood or body tissues?
Answer: Oxygen
- A human with heartburn might reach for some Pepcid. What’s the generic name for (and the active ingredient in) the antacid medication, which can also help a dyspeptic dog?
Answer: Famotidine
- The Papyrus of Kahun contains the first record of veterinary medicine. It dates back to the reign of Amenemhat III over what African kingdom?
Answer: Egypt
- Developed at MIT and at Boston Dynamics, Spot is a contact-free robot who helps with basic patient care and is mounted on a body with what guessable number of legs?
Answer: Four
- What kind of cat is a long-haired breed with a round face and a short muzzle? Contrary to its name, not all of them live in Iran.
Answer: Persian
- Osteosarcoma is one of the most common cancers found in dogs. It is a tumor found on what body part?
Answer: Bone
- Which breed of dog with distinctive coat markings and which originated as a hunting dog and carriage dog is named after a historic region of Croatia?
Answer: Dalmatian
- Similar to humans, pets can be given an ACE inhibitor to deal with what aberrations in what two-word quality of blood vessels? High measurements of this quality are sometimes attributed to hypertension.
Answer: Blood Pressure
- Animals as well as humans can suffer from what “A” dilations or bulges in a blood vessel, caused by weakening of its walls?
Answer: Aneurysm
- What county in Northern England has the James Herriot Museum, housed in the building where Herriot originally practiced veterinary medicine with Brian and Donald Sinclair (renamed Siegfried and Tristan Farnon in the books)?
Answer: Yorkshire
- Animals can be given what “A” type of drug, which nullifies the effect of another substance? In literary terms, it is the opposite of a protagonist.
Answer: Antagonist
- Just like in humans, animals produce what “A” type of molecule, a product of the immune system that attacks a foreign substance in the body?
Answer: Antibody
- Which adjective, which means basic or fundamental, precedes “pouch” in a two-word, alliterative term for the soft flap of skin under a cat’s belly?
Answer: Primordial
- Not to be confused with aquaphobia, hydrophobia is historic name for which disease?
Answer: Rabies
- Ecdysis means a critter (usually an amphibian or reptile) is shedding the dead outer layer of their what?
Answer: Skin
- The Hippiatrica is a Byzantine compilation of Ancient Greek texts concerning the care and healing of what animal? This animal was also the subject of the first comprehensive text on the anatomy of a nonhuman species, "Anatomia del Cavallo," written by Carlo Ruini in the 16th century.
Answer: Horse
- In the medical field, what is the name for a tube typically made of plastic or metal that is inserted into the lumen of a vessel or duct with the goal of keeping a passageway open?
Answer: Stent
- In ruminant animals, the rumen, reticulum, omasum, and abomasum are the four compartments of what organ, which helps the animals ferment their food before digestion?
Answer: Stomach
- What “F” term applies to a specialist who applies shoes to a horse’s hooves? The term is a derivation of the Latin word for “Iron”, applying to the construction of the horseshoes.
Answer: Farrier
- Where did all of the following famous animals live? Bo & Sunny, Barney, and Socks.
Answer: The White House
- The star of "Wishbone" was what tan-and-white terrier breed named after a parson and hunting enthusiast born in 1795?
Answer: Jack Russell
- The majority of the products sold by the "Adams" brand with its iconic blue bottles focus on what animal pest?
Answer: Fleas and ticks
- What is the name of the English veterinary surgeon who wrote popular books about his experience treating animals like "All Creatures Great and Small" and "The Lord God Made Them All?"
Answer: James Herriot
- When a veterinarian uses the abbreviation A.U., they are referring to something going on with both of what body parts of an animal?
Answer: Ears
- What controversial elective ear surgery for dogs removes part of the outside of the ear for aesthetic reasons? It shares its name with an agricultural term.
Answer: Ear cropping
- At around 12 to 16 weeks of age, a puppy can start preventive care against what condition in which parasites lodge in the right side of an important circulatory organ?
Answer: Heartworm
- What “D” illness is prevalent in many animal species but is known to cause watery and pus-like discharge from the eyes of dogs? It kind of sounds like a synonym for someone being upset.
Answer: Distemper
- What animal based service, founded in 2013 in San Diego, CA, allows for vets and patients to connect directly through their app? Their first law is to improv the lives of any “Pet” as much as possible.
Answer: PetDesk
- Between 14 and 16 weeks of age, puppies should be vaccinated against CPV, a highly contagious viral infection that can be lethal if not prevented. CPV is better known by what one-word name?
Answer: Parvo
- Used mostly in the Southwest U.S., an agostadero refers to a pasture that's only used during which season?
Answer: Summer
- Ahem, Bordetella bronchiseptica is the most common agent that causes what alliterative dog-afflicting respiratory disease?
Answer: Kennel cough
- There's a new rapid test for the Hendra virus, spread to horses and people by what megabat with a kinda fluffy name?
Answer: Flying fox
- What fictional physician, who first appeared in children's books in 1920 and has been played on film by Eddie Murphy, prefers treating animals to humans and can speak to his patients?
Answer: Doctor Dolittle
- Located about 15 miles west of Sacramento, what University of California campus has the top-ranked veterinary medicine program in America, according to U.S. News?
Answer: Davis
- As its name implies, Virbac Epi-Otic is a cleanser brand that is used to remove cellular debris from what parts of a dog's body?
Answer: Ear
- Known in French as “la rage”, what is the name of the viral disease that is derived from the Latin for “madness”? This disease features in a Disney movie of 1957 starring Tommy Kirk.
Answer: Rabies
- Just like humans, animals are susceptible to what common disease causing inflammation or degradation of the joints?
Answer: Arthritis
- What “G” drug is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory used to treat Osteoarthritis in dogs? The drug is manufactured by Elanco.
Answer: Galliprant
- A strong indicator that an animal is in good health, the veterinary acronym BAR stands for bright, alert, and what third adjective?
Answer: Responsive
- The height of a horse is measured to which point on the horse’s back that lies at the base of the neck and above the shoulders? This answer is also a word meaning to become shriveled and dry.
Answer: Withers
- What “A” disease can occur in dogs and cats as well as humans, in which the adrenal glands do not produce enough hormones naturally?
Answer: Addison's disease
- A surgical caudectomy is the technical term for the docking of what body part, as might be performed on a dog or horse?
Answer: Tail
- An acaricide is a chemical agent used to kill what small insects, a general term for a small arachnid? Their name is combined with the prefix “ter-“ to form the name of a wood-eating home pest.
Answer: Mites
- What veterinary medicine is homonymous with a word for overthrowing a government, and helps prevent a variety of parasites, including fleas, in dogs and cats?
Answer: Revolution
- Acromegaly, a hormone disorder that causes an excess of bone growth in an animal’s legs, is caused by excess of hormones from what “P” gland at the base of the brain?
Answer: Pituitary Gland
- Animals as well as humans can suffer from what “H” bruising condition, in which a pool of blood collects under the skin?
Answer: Hematoma
- Similar to humans, animals can suffer from what “A” condition, a low red blood cell count? Some humans suffer from a “sickle cell” version.
Answer: Anemia
- All animals are vulnerable to what “A” bacterial disease that can occur amongst sheep and cattle? It shares its name with a heavy metal band featuring Scott Ian on rhythm guitar.
Answer: Anthrax
- Along with the reticulum, the omasum and the abomasum, which other compartment comprises the stomach of cattle? This compartment, the largest of the four stomach compartments of cattle, is also known as a paunch.
Answer: Rumen
- Most commonly associated with horses, which term beginning with F describes the joint between the cannon bone and the pastern bone? This joint also approximates the human ankle.
Answer: Fetlock
- “Billy goat” is a common nickname, but what is the proper term for a young male goat?
Answer: Buck
- Which term describes treatments that kill immature heartworms in the blood?
Answer: Microfilaricide
- Which “M” term would be used to describe inflamed, infected mammary glands in an animal?
Answer: Mastitis
- Due to their squished faces, pugs are prone to which syndrome that affects their breathing and starts with B?
Answer: Brachycephalic syndrome
- Particularly dangerous for male cats due to an increased potential for blockages, crystals or stones caused by an overabundance of certain minerals can be found in which waste managing internal system of the body?
Answer: Renal System
- Called “bute” for short, which anti-inflammatory medication is commonly used to relieve pain and lameness in horses? (Hint: Two brand names are Butazolidin® and VetriBute®)
Answer: Phenylbutazone
- Despite the name, he seems to do quite a lot. Rex Harrison, Eddie Murphy, and Robert Downey Jnr. have all portrayed which fictional veterinarian in movies?
Answer: Doctor Dolittle
- According to the USDA, which A-term applies to a herd of dairy cattle that’s been tested twice and confirmed to be negative for tuberculosis?
Answer: Accredited
- Used for pets with congestive heart failure, which type of diuretic is furosemide (Lasix)?
Answer: Loop
- Which S-term describes the most basic and essential facts about a pet—for example, their sex, breed, and age?
Answer: Signalment
- Carnivore protoparvovirus 1 is a parvovirus that used to be called feline panleukopenia virus. Given that name, which domestic pet does it mostly infect?
Answer: Cats
- Which insecticide is the main ingredient in Nexgard, a flea and tick treatment that may also prevent Lyme disease in dogs?
Answer: Afoxolaner
- Doxycycline is commonly used to treat which tickborne disease, particularly when it’s associated with nephritis?
Answer: Lyme
- Which infection caused by a parapoxvirus is mostly seen in sheep and goats, but can spread to humans and cause mouth sores? (Hint: It’s also called contagious ecthyma).
Answer: Orf disease
- Which A-term refers to an animal's age in years rather than their age in terms of development? For example, how old a dog actually is by the calendar as opposed to how many “dog years” old they are.
Answer: Absolute
- Which D-term describes a hereditary condition where an animal’s hip joint becomes partially or totally dislocated because the hip socket did not form properly during growth?
Answer: Dysplasia
- The vomeronasal organ that picks up on pheromones is also known by which eponym?
Answer: Jacobson's
- It got a lot of attention during the COVID-19 pandemic for potential treatment in humans, but which antiparasitic is more commonly used in dogs, cattle, and horses? (Hint: Soolantra, Sklice, and Stromecto are some brand names).
Answer: Ivermectin
- Which bacterial lung infection is sometimes called “parrot fever” because it can spread to humans from pet birds?
Answer: Psittacosis
- Which insecticide and acaricide is sold under the brand name Bravecto as an oral or topical flea and tick treatment?
Answer: Fluralaner
- An open-mouthed curling of the upper lips while smelling is demonstrated by a variety of mammals, but probably most adorably and Instagram-worthy, domestic cats. What is the name of this behavior, which helps the Jacobsen’s organ intake pheromones and particulates?
Answer: Flehman response
- Feline cystitis is a condition in cats characterized by inflammation in which urinary tract organ?
Answer: Bladder
- Hemangiosarcoma is an aggressive form of cancer (especially common in large-breed dogs) that arises from the skin or the lining of which structure in an animal’s body?
Answer: Blood vessels
- In what European country was the first veterinary school founded by Claude Bourgelat in 1762?
Answer: France
- Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (sold under the brand name Bactrim) is a commonly prescribed broad-spectrum type of which medication that’s effective for treating infections in pets as well as their human owners?
Answer: Antibiotic
- If an order for a pet says Bx, what procedure is noted by the abbreviation?
Answer: Biopsy
- If a dog has thyroid hyperplasia, which common name for the condition when it occurs in humans could you use when talking to the owner?
Answer: Goiter
- Having a long coat which may hang in cords ("dreadlocks"), the poitou is an endangered French breed of what domesticated animal?
Answer: Donkey
- What four-letter word is the veterinarian medical term for an unspayed ferret, and is also the first name of U.S. President Joe Biden’s wife?
Answer: Jill
- Before it became more associated with a branded handheld reading device, what “K” word is a verb that describes a rabbit being pregnant?
Answer: Kindle
- Ellen McGrath earned her DVM from the Chicago Veterinary College in 1910. She supposedly holds the incredible distinction as the first woman to practice veterinary medicine. How old was she when she got her veterinarian degree?
Answer: 22
- The first veterinary school in the world was created in France in 1761 in what city?
Answer: Lyon
- Claude Bourgelat was moved to create the first school of veterinary medicine while looking for a remedy to Rinderpest in what animals? He sent students out to help fight the disease.
Answer: Cows
- What medication is routinely used to prevent lung bleeding in horses with exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH)? It's banned in some races, and it is a controlled substance under national Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) regulations.
Answer: Lasix
- In Australia in 1950, what disease was deliberately introduced to wild and feral rabbits to curb their population?
Answer: Myxomatosis
- Of echinococcosis, cheyletiellosis, trichinosis, or toxocariasis, which is caused by an external rather than an internal parasite?
Answer: Cheyletiellosis
- What insect is responsible for spreading heartworms in dogs? This insect is not the same as that which causes Lyme disease.
Answer: Mosquito
- The disease caused by the bacteria Streptococcus Equi is also known by what evocative name? It is most commonly found in young horses.
Answer: Strangles
- A form of a facial aggressive non-viral, transmittable parasitic cancer affects which native Australian animal? A fictionalized version of this animal is a well-known cartoon character.
Answer: Tasmanian Devil
- What insect is responsible for the spread of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE)? The disease can be found in North, Central, and South America, and the Caribbean.
Answer: Mosquitos
- FIP is a devastating disease that affects kittens and cats, most often with fatal results. Although cats of any age can get FIP, it is usually diagnosed between six months and two years of age. What does FIP stand for?
Answer: Feline Infectious Peritonitis
- Technically known as pododermatitis, what disease of the foot can be found in pet rabbits and pet rats? It is very painful and requires antibiotics and pain medications for the animal.
Answer: Bumblefoot
- What are cattle born without horns called? Angus, Galloway, and Amerifax are examples of breeds that carry this trait.
Answer: Polled
- What is the name of the joint which connects the femur to the bones of the lower leg in a dog? It is the equivalent to a knee joint in a human.
Answer: Stifle
- What African mammal has the highest blood pressure of any animal? The blood pressure near their heart is about twice an adult human's but reduces as you get near their head.
Answer: Giraffe
- The Hendra Virus, which is a disease that can kill both humans and horses, is named after the suburb where it was isolated in 1994. In which country is this suburb?
Answer: Australia
- Since auscultating with stethoscopes is not usually effective with reptiles, what do you use to take a snake's heart rate?
Answer: Doppler
- What word means a female dairy animal that has not yet given birth and therefore does not produce milk?
Answer: Heifer
- What English bishop, Thomas with a “B” name, a founding member of the Odiham Agricultural Society in 1783, was a proponent of treating sick animals? He shares a last name with the author of “A Clockwork Orange.”
Answer: Anthony Burgess
- Commonly called “fixing” or “desexing,” what is the proper term for removing the testes of a male animal (castrate) and the ovaries and uterus of a female animal (spay)?
Answer: Neuter
- Dr. Hamster is the veterinarian who takes care of pets belonging to the alliteratively named ovine title character of what British animated children's TV show?
Answer: Peppa Pig
- “Hot spots” is a more casual name for which condition that causes sores on an animal’s skin?
Answer: Acute Moist Dermatitis
- Which NSAID sold worldwide under brand names like Novox, Rovera, and Zinecarp can be prescribed to treat inflammation and pain, particularly in the joints?
Answer: Carprofen
- Crocodiles are well-known for keeping their jaws open even while sleeping, largely because they lack what exocrine glands?
Answer: Sweat Glands
- Which term (from the Latin for “scaly”) applies to the largest and most diverse order of reptiles, including snakes and lizards?
Answer: Squamata
- What breed of terrier dog gets it name from the dividing line between England and Scotland, in the Cheviot Hills?
Answer: Border Terrier
- The Shalihotra Samhita was an Indian veterinary treatise from the 3rd century BC, an edict from what emperor of the Mauryan dynasty? This “A” emperor promised that medicine would be available to both people and animals.
Answer: Ashoka
- Deriving from the Latin words for "fin" and "foot," what is the name of the order of carnivorous, flippered mammals that includes seals and walruses?
Answer: Pinniped
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About the Author
Eli Robinson is the Chief Trivia Officer at Water Cooler Trivia. He was once in a Bruce Springsteen cover band called F Street Band.
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