The Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) is dedicated to protecting both animal and human health through diagnostics. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, TVMDL is working with the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC), to provide current and credible resources to those in veterinary medicine.
Currently animal SARS-CoV-2 testing will only be performed with approval of the Department of State Health Services’ (DSHS) State Public Health Veterinarian and the TAHC State Veterinarian. If you are a veterinarian who would like to request approval to test a pet for SARS-CoV-2, please call 800-550-8242.
This testing approval will be determined on an individual case basis. Only animals exhibiting clinical signs of illness compatible with SARS-CoV-2 infection, including respiratory symptoms, will be considered for testing. Veterinarians requesting SARS-CoV-2 testing for an animal must have first performed a thorough and systematic diagnostic evaluation with appropriate testing to rule out common causes based on the patient’s clinical signs.
Currently, the following animals and situations will be considered for testing:
• Animals that have been in a household with a confirmed human COVID-19 case.
• Threatened or endangered non-human primates or other species in zoos or other facilities.
• Recently imported animals exhibiting an atypical pattern of disease suggesting a novel pathogen.
• Animals that are part of a validated research project.
Once approved, the TAHC will coordinate with the requesting veterinarian to ensure proper sampling and media are used for submission to the TVMDL.
For additional interim veterinary guidance on the testing of animals for SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus in Texas, review this TAHC document. For general veterinary guidance regarding animal SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, visit TAHC’s resource page.