North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) Practice Test

When considering the potential etiology of liver disease in dogs with a travel history, parasitic infections are particularly relevant. Dogs that travel, especially to regions where certain parasites are endemic, are at an increased risk of exposure to various parasitic diseases that can lead to liver dysfunction.

For instance, parasites such as Leptospira species can proliferate in certain environments and cause liver damage. Similarly, infections from other parasitic organisms like those that cause schistosomiasis or hepatic coccidiosis can directly impact liver health.

While bacterial and viral infections can also cause liver disease, they are often less commonly associated with travel history when considering specific infections linked to geographical locations. Environmental toxins, while they can affect liver health, are not specifically tied to travel history in the same way that parasites are, as they depend more on local conditions rather than the movement of the animal. Thus, the association of parasitic infections with travel history and liver disease in dogs is a key factor in understanding the etiology in this context.