NACA Animal Control Officers Practice Test

What is a symptom of Vanishing Bile Duct Syndrome?

1. Regular appetite

2. Repeated vomiting

3. Weight gain

4. Normal stool consistency

The correct answer is: Repeated vomiting

Vanishing Bile Duct Syndrome is characterized by the progressive loss of the bile ducts in the liver, which can lead to cholestasis (a condition where bile can't flow from the liver to the duodenum) and subsequent liver damage. One of the prominent symptoms associated with this syndrome is repeated vomiting. This occurs due to the accumulation of bile acids and other toxic substances that the liver is unable to process and excrete properly. In contrast, a regular appetite, weight gain, and normal stool consistency are not symptoms typical of this syndrome. Individuals might actually experience a loss of appetite and weight loss due to malabsorption and the illness's overall impact on the body's ability to digest and utilize nutrients effectively. The stool consistency may also change, typically becoming pale or clay-colored due to a lack of bile reaching the intestine, rather than remaining normal. Thus, repeated vomiting stands out as a significant and related symptom of Vanishing Bile Duct Syndrome.