Veterinary Toxicology exam questions: topics, study tips and free sample questions
Updated 20 October 2026
Veterinary Toxicology on the BCSE covers common poisonings: the toxin, the clinical signs, the diagnosis and the treatment or antidote. It sits in the BCSE domain of pharmacology, physiology and toxicology.
Topics to know in toxicology
- Rodenticides and household toxins
- Toxic plants by species
- Heavy metals and minerals
- Decontamination and supportive care
- Antidotes and the toxin each one treats
How to study toxicology for the BCSE
- Make a toxin, sign and antidote table.
- Learn the classic presentations first.
- Review the rare toxins last.
- Read every explanation and add questions you miss to a list you clear to zero.
Free toxicology sample questions
Try these practice questions. Open each one to see the answer and the explanation. They are for study only. These are not official exam questions.
Question 1. What clinical sign is most associated with molybdenum poisoning in ruminants?
- Photosensitization
- Scours
- Blindness
- Submandibular edema
- Coprophagy
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: B. Both molybdenum poisoning and associated copper deficiency cause a gastroenteritis. Look for so-called "peat scours" or "teart" (severe scours with gas bubbles). Additional possible clinical signs include unthriftiness, emaciation, coat depigmentation, pica, a microcytic hypochromic anemia, joint pain/lameness, and bone fractures (osteoporosis).
Question 2. Fumonison intoxication is primarily associated with which clinical signs?
- Leukoencephalomalacia, hypertension
- Vomiting, immunosuppression
- Salivation, retching
- Estrogenism, vulvovaginitis
- Terminal necrosis of extremities, gangrene
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: A. Fumonison is another Fusarium spp. mycotoxin associated with moldy corn. In equids, look for CNS disease (Equine leukoencephalomalacia). In pigs, see hypertension and pulmonary edema (porcine pulmonary edema-PPE). Think of reproductive dysfunction (estrogenism, vulvovaginitis) with Zearalenone, the only known mycotoxin with primarily estrogenic effects. Zearalenone is produced by Fusarium spp. molds on plants and common fead grains like corn, barley and wheat. Often a second mycotoxin called deoxynivalenol is also prduced which causes decreased feed intake The nrecence nf
Question 3. You are called to examine a horse that died suddenly in the night, after getting into a bin of cattle feed. On necropsy, you note pale myocardium, epicardial hemorrhage and some rhabdomyolysis. What condition do you suspect killed this horse?
- Ionophore toxicity
- Selenium toxicity
- Cantharidin toxicity
- Hyperkalemic paralysis
- Non-protein nitrogen toxicity
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: A. Think MUSCLE DAMAGE (rhabdomyolysis and cardiomyopathies) with Ionophore toxicity (ie: Monensin , Lasalocid ). Look for pale myocardium, hemopericardium, epicardial hemorrhages. In cattle may see ascites, hydrothorax, pulmonary edema. Think more of an ulcerating gastritis/colic with cantharidin toxicity. Animals may show CNS signs/convulsions before Jona aale. 2 Hee He te
Frequently asked questions
How many toxicology questions are on the BCSE?
Pharmacology, physiology and toxicology together have a published range of about 28 to 32 questions.
How should I study toxicology for the BCSE?
Make a toxin, sign and antidote table. Learn the classic presentations first. Review the rare toxins last.
Where can I practise toxicology questions?
VetQ has 185 toxicology practice questions, including 19 with images, with explanations. You can try it free for 48 hours.
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