ICAR AIEEA PG 2024 - Veterinary Science

Statement (I) is incorrect because Babesia is an obligate intraerythrocytic protozoan parasite multiplying inside red blood cells, not an extraerythrocytic parasite. Statement (II) is correct because Babesia bovis is classified morphologically as a small piroplasm (1.5–2.0 µm, pear-shaped obtuse angle) in cattle (compared to large Babesia bigemina), while Babesia canis (4–5 µm) is classically the large piroplasm of dogs (compared to small Babesia gibsoni). Thus, Statement (I) is incorrect but Statement (II) is correct.

Assertion (A) is completely false: intravenous potassium chloride (KCl) administration in animals must never exceed 0.5 mEq/kg/hour (the absolute maximum safe ceiling rate). Reason (R) is true: infusion rates exceeding 0.5 mEq/kg/hour precipitate acute hyperkalemia, causing severe cardiotoxicity, prolongation of the PR interval, peaked T waves, atrioventricular block, and fatal cardiac arrest in diastole. Thus, (A) is false but (R) is true.

Statement (I) is correct: dermal deposition of hyaluronic acid and glycosaminoglycans in canine hypothyroidism leads to classic cutaneous myxedema, producing a characteristic thickened, puffy 'tragic facial expression' (facies tragica). Statement (II) is incorrect: diabetes mellitus produces polyuria, polydipsia, polyphagia, and rapid weight loss, and does NOT cause myxedema or thickened facial skin folds. Thus, Statement (I) is correct but Statement (II) is incorrect.