North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) Practice Test

The most appropriate course of action in this scenario is to perform an exploratory laparotomy to remove the suspected ovarian remnant. In spayed female cats, the presence of abnormal vocalizing and estrus-like behaviors strongly suggests ovarian remnant syndrome, which occurs when ovarian tissue is inadvertently left behind during a spay procedure. This remnant tissue can produce hormones, leading to the manifestations of estrus behavior.

Surgical exploration allows for direct visualization and removal of any remaining ovarian tissue, which not only alleviates the behavioral symptoms but also eliminates the risk of developing complications associated with persistent hormonal activity, such as pyometra or neoplasia.

While other diagnostic options, such as measuring hormone levels or performing imaging studies (like an MRI for a pituitary tumor), can be beneficial in some contexts, they do not address the immediate concern of removing the source of the hormone production. Therefore, an exploratory laparotomy is the most effective and direct way to resolve the issue confirmed by clinical signs indicative of ovarian remnant syndrome.