North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) Practice Test

Which condition is characterized by edema and can lead to paralysis in healthy piglets after weaning?

1. Clostridium perfringens type C enteritis

2. Hemagglutinating encephalomyelitis virus (HEV)

3. Porcine proliferative enteritis

4. Edema disease

The correct answer is: Edema disease

The condition characterized by edema and the potential to lead to paralysis in healthy piglets after weaning is edema disease. This disease is caused by an overgrowth of the bacterium Escherichia coli, specifically certain strains that produce a verotoxin or shiga-like toxin. This toxin damages the blood vessels, leading to increased permeability and resulting in fluid accumulation, or edema, particularly in the brain and other tissues. In young piglets, this condition often develops after weaning due to dietary changes and stress, which can predispose them to the proliferation of the pathogenic E. coli strains. The edematous changes can lead to neurological signs, including ataxia and paralysis, as the brain becomes affected by edema. The rapid onset of this condition is a critical aspect, making it especially concerning in a herd of healthy piglets. Other options relate to different conditions that affect pigs but do not typically present with the specific combination of edema and paralysis post-weaning that characterizes edema disease. For example, Clostridium perfringens type C enteritis primarily causes severe gastrointestinal disease rather than neurological symptoms. Hemagglutinating encephalomyelitis virus typically causes respiratory signs and neurological issues but does not lead to the fluid accumulation seen in