Drug Testing During the Fall Livestock Show Season
Travis Mays, MS, PhD
Between the months of August to December, the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) performs drug testing on more than 1,000 urine, blood, fecal, and feather samples from approximately 45 different livestock shows and fairs across the country. As officials and volunteers prepare for these events, please remember TVMDL offers the following collection supplies:
- sterile urine cups (4 oz.) – $0.60/cup or $160/case (300/case)
- red security tape – $18 per roll
- serum separator blood tubes (12.5 mL) – $0.50/ea. or $50/box (100/box)
TVMDL’s drug test for livestock shows and fairs includes an initial screen using liquid chromatography – mass spectrometry (LC-MS), followed by a confirmation test on suspect samples using liquid chromatography – tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Target compounds include drugs from some of the following drug classes:
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- stimulants
- anabolic steroids
- corticosteroids
- analgesics
- β2-adrenergic agonists
- sedatives/tranquilizers
- local anesthetics
TVMDL staff is available to answer questions related to sample collection, processing, and packaging, as well as questions related to testing. For more information about TVMDL’s available tests for stock shows and fairs please contact us at 1.888.646.5623 or visit tvmdl.tamu.edu.