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Search results for “drug”.

  • Drug testing during the fall livestock show season

    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:…

  • The Facts on Equine Drug Testing

    Analytical Testing Analytical testing capabilities for drug testing have evolved significantly over the years. Historically, techniques such as thin layer chromatography (TLC), gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography – mass spectrometry (GC/MS) were used to detect drugs. More modern day tests include enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) and liquid chromatography – mass…

  • Therapeutic drug monitoring in dogs and cats

    Therapeutic drugs can significantly improve the quality of life in animals with painful or long-term illnesses. However, it’s critical to monitor the level of medication in an animal’s body to ensure the dosage is safe and effective. The bodily response to therapeutic drugs is particularly important to monitor in pets with chronic conditions, such as…

  • Livestock Show Drug Testing

    The Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) has been providing drug testing services for livestock shows across the country for more than 30 years. The agency tests in excess of 3,500 samples for more than 90 shows across the United States annually. TVMDL’s drug testing laboratory is an ISO 17025 accredited lab with state-of-the-art…

  • Segmental analysis of hair for drug detection in racing horses

    The Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory’s (TVMDL) Analytical Chemistry Section offers a screen for the detection of beta-adrenergic agonist drugs, including albuterol, bambuterol, clenbuterol, ractopamine, and zilpaterol, in hair. Certain drugs bind to melanin in hair and can be detected months, and in some cases years, following drug administration. This provides horse racing regulators…

  • Failed equine pre-purchase drug screen

    Blood was collected during a routine pre-purchase examination on a horse and submitted to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) in College Station for drug testing. Serum was extracted using methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) and analyzed by liquid chromatography – tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Romifidine was confirmed in the sample by LC-MS/MS. Romifidine…

  • Collecting Hair for Livestock Show Drug Testing

    The collection of hair samples should be undertaken by a competent individual within a secure, contamination-free facility. Hair is a strong, stable tissue that is simple to collect, transport, and store. Data suggest hair is as effective a matrix as retinal tissue for detecting beta-adrenergic agonist drugs (i.e. clenbuterol, zilpaterol, ractopamine and albuterol). Please note…

  • Too much (or too little) of a good thing: Thyroid disease testing at TVMDL

    The thyroid gland serves an important function in the overall health of animals. However, it can also lead to a host of health issues if not functioning properly. The Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) offers several options for assessing thyroid disorders. In addition to individual tests, TVMDL offers several panels specifically for canine,…

  • Thyroid Disease Testing at TVMDL

    Canine Diagnostic Testing Canine Basic Thyroid Panel (T4, TSH, Free T4)The two most frequent thyroid disorders in dogs are primary hypothyroidism and euthyroid sick syndrome (repressed pituitary-thyroid axis due to non-thyroid illness). Additionally, some medications can induce hypothyroxinemia in dogs (i.e. phenobarbital, sulfa drugs, glucocorticoids). Other variables that may affect T4 and TSH include diestrus,…

  • Strychnine detected in a puppy

    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 deceased in the yard with foam coming from its mouth. Malicious poisoning was suspected as a neighbor previously threatened to poison the owner’s puppies. Given the uncertainty…