Zoonotic diseases are transmitted between animals and humans and can pose a significant threat to human health. It’s critical for veterinary clinic staff and TVMDL employees to handle animal samples in a way that minimizes the threat of zoonotic … [Read more...] about Mitigating the threat of zoonosis during sample shipment to TVMDL
TVMDL
Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Lab reminds dog owners to be aware of kissing bug
February is typically a time of love and affection. However, this month the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, TVMDL, is reminding dog owners that some kisses can be deadly. Chagas disease, spread by a family of insects known … [Read more...] about Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Lab reminds dog owners to be aware of kissing bug
Listeriosis in a goat doe
Listeriosis in a goat doe Guy Sheppard DVM, Jessie Monday DVM, MS, Laura Rice DVM, MS, DACVP Samples from a one-year-old Boer goat doe were received at the TVMDL for testing. The doe had displayed neurological signs including unilateral paresis, … [Read more...] about Listeriosis in a goat doe
TVMDL retires Ammonia (Distilation)
Starting December 30, the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) will no longer offer Ammonia (Distilation). Requests for this test have remained consistently low the past two years. As an alternative, clients interested in … [Read more...] about TVMDL retires Ammonia (Distilation)
Polio Syndrome in Ruminants
Polio Syndrome in Ruminants Guy Sheppard, DVM Polioencephalomalacia “Polio” is a syndrome of ruminant animals affecting the central nervous system. Seizures are the most notable sign, progressing quickly to the death of the affected animal … [Read more...] about Polio Syndrome in Ruminants
Cytology-Urine test added to TVMDL catalog
The Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) is pleased to announce the addition of Cytology-Urine to the test catalog. This new offering aims to aid in the characterization of urine and assist with the diagnosis of urinary … [Read more...] about Cytology-Urine test added to TVMDL catalog
Systemic Besnoitiosis in a Virginia Opossum
Systemic Besnoitiosis in a Virginia Opossum Erin Edwards, DVM, MS, DACVP Besnoitia spp. are protozoal parasites that form tissue cysts in intermediate hosts. Besnoitiosis caused by B. darlinigi is well described in Virginia opossums (Didelphis … [Read more...] about Systemic Besnoitiosis in a Virginia Opossum
Osteogenesis and dentinogenesis imperfecta in a calf
Osteogenesis and Dentinogenesis Imperfecta in a Calf Randi Gold VMD, PhD, DACVP and Guy Sheppard DVM A 21 day-old calf with a history of multiple leg fractures and no evidence of external injuries was euthanized and sent into the TVMDL for … [Read more...] about Osteogenesis and dentinogenesis imperfecta in a calf
Monday discusses recent anthrax cases on Around the Caprock
Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) Veterinary Diagnostician Jessie Monday, DVM, MS was a recent guest on Texas Farm Bureau Radio Network's show Around the Caprock. She discussed two recent anthrax cases TVMDL confirmed in … [Read more...] about Monday discusses recent anthrax cases on Around the Caprock
Photosensitization: Causes and testing options
Photosensitization is a serious skin condition in horses and cattle caused by a hazardous combination of certain plants and ultraviolet (UV) light. Certain plants contain photodynamic agents, which then cause a reaction in the animal’s body that … [Read more...] about Photosensitization: Causes and testing options
Sample instructions to improve vitamin and trace mineral test results
Sample instructions to improve vitamin and trace mineral test results Cat Barr, PhD, DABT The Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) has recently updated the sample requirements for Vitamins A and E in serum and for Trace … [Read more...] about Sample instructions to improve vitamin and trace mineral test results
Analytical chemistry research testing capabilities
Analytical chemistry research testing capabilities Travis Mays, MS, PhD The analytical chemistry section at the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) is equipped with instrumentation, including eight mass spectrometers, … [Read more...] about Analytical chemistry research testing capabilities
Listeriosis in Cattle
Listeriosis in Cattle Guy Sheppard, DVM Since last summer, the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) has seen a few cases of listeriosis in cattle. Submitting veterinarians have reported profound neurological signs that … [Read more...] about Listeriosis in Cattle
Novel gammaherpesvirus associated with primary gastric T-cell lymphoma in a free-ranging giant armadillo in Brazil
Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) pathologist Josué Díaz-Delgago, DVM, MS, PhD, DACVP is part of a team that recently published an article over a novel gammaherpevirus in a free-ranging giant armadillo in Brazil. The … [Read more...] about Novel gammaherpesvirus associated with primary gastric T-cell lymphoma in a free-ranging giant armadillo in Brazil
How to create a comprehensive serology testing plan
Prior to diagnostic testing, it’s important to determine what factors would lead to the most comprehensive assessment of an animal’s condition. Each case must be evaluated individually in order to establish the most practical diagnostic testing … [Read more...] about How to create a comprehensive serology testing plan
The role of diagnostic testing in establishing bovine vaccination programs
The role of diagnostic testing in establishing bovine vaccination programs Guy Sheppard, DVM Vaccination programs are integral to the overall health and profitability of a cattle operation. Without vaccinations, diseases such as Bovine … [Read more...] about The role of diagnostic testing in establishing bovine vaccination programs
Cutaneous Pythiosis in a German Shepherd Dog
Cutaneous Pythiosis in a German Shepherd Dog Cheryl Maguire, DVM, Dominique Wiener, DVM, PhD, DECVP, Sonia Lingsweiler, BS, MS The bacteriology section at the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) received a skin swab for … [Read more...] about Cutaneous Pythiosis in a German Shepherd Dog
A tale of a tail tumor: Ferret chordoma
A tale of a tail tumor: Ferret chordoma Erin Edwards, DVM, MS, DACVP Chordomas are among the most common diagnoses in ferret biopsy samples submitted to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL). This article highlights a … [Read more...] about A tale of a tail tumor: Ferret chordoma
Strychnine detected in a puppy
Strychnine detected in a puppy Travis Mays, MS, DVM The Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory received stomach content, fresh kidney, and serum from a two-month old mixed breed puppy for testing. The owner found the puppy … [Read more...] about Strychnine detected in a puppy
Hepatocytoptropic lymphoma in a Great Dane
Hepatocytoptropic lymphoma in a Great Dane Morgan Matthews, DVM Tissues from a 3-year-old, castrated male Great Dane were submitted to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL). On histopathology, the liver, spleen, and … [Read more...] about Hepatocytoptropic lymphoma in a Great Dane
Fatal Heartworm Disease and Caval Syndrome in a Ferret
Fatal Heartworm Disease and Caval Syndrome in a Ferret Julie Anna Prusak and Erin Edwards, DVM, MS, DACVP A 3-year-old, pet, domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo) was found dead suddenly and was sent to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical … [Read more...] about Fatal Heartworm Disease and Caval Syndrome in a Ferret
T-cell lymphoma is not always “terrible”
T-cell lymphoma is not always “terrible” Julie Piccione, DVM, MS, DACVP A 10-year-old female spayed Shih Tzu was presented to her veterinarian for an annual wellness exam. At home, the dog had been doing well but was reported to have less energy. … [Read more...] about T-cell lymphoma is not always “terrible”
Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Lab on the front lines of pet food recalls
This story originally appeared in AgriLife Today and was written by Kay Ledbetter. When small-animal veterinarians have questions or problems, they often turn to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, TVMDL, due to the … [Read more...] about Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Lab on the front lines of pet food recalls
Diagnostic Guidance: Skin Biopsy Best Practices
Diagnostic Guidance: Skin Biopsy Best Practices Will Sims, DVM, MS Dermatology cases are one of the most common types of cases seen by general practitioners. A crucial diagnostic tool in these cases is the skin biopsy. They are indicated … [Read more...] about Diagnostic Guidance: Skin Biopsy Best Practices
Calcinosis circumscripta in a surgical amputation site
Calcinosis circumscripta in a surgical amputation site Randi Gold, VMD, PhD, DACVP A one-year-old, female-spayed, mix breed dog required a mid-shaft, hind leg amputation after a femoral fracture. Following the amputation, the owner and … [Read more...] about Calcinosis circumscripta in a surgical amputation site