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
TVMDL retires Mycoplasma gallisepticum (HI) and Mycoplasma synoviae (HI) tests
Starting July 1, the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) will retire the Mycoplasma gallisepticum hemagglutination inhibition (HI) and Mycoplasma synoviae (HI) tests due to a decline in requests. As an alternative, … [Read more...] about TVMDL retires Mycoplasma gallisepticum (HI) and Mycoplasma synoviae (HI) tests
Recent study highlights the importance of testing stray Mexico origin cattle for tick-borne pathogens
The United States' cattle industry was ravaged in the early 20th century due to Texas cattle fever, a disease caused by tick-borne parasites Babesia bovis and B. Bigemia. These parasites were transmitted by two species of ticks in the sub-genus … [Read more...] about Recent study highlights the importance of testing stray Mexico origin cattle for tick-borne pathogens
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
Shipping samples in extreme heat
Much of Texas is beginning to experience triple digit heat. Typically, this period of extreme temperature will stretch across the entire summer. The Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) encourages clients to ensure samples … [Read more...] about Shipping samples in extreme heat
TVMDL hosts Texas A&M AgriLife Veterinary Science Certificate Program
This week, the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) hosted 30 students participating in the Texas A&M AgriLife Veterinary Science Certificate Program (VSCP). While at TVMDL, students toured the laboratory, listened to an … [Read more...] about TVMDL hosts Texas A&M AgriLife Veterinary Science Certificate Program
TVMDL retires Campylobacter fetus (Microagglutination)
Starting June 10, the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) will no longer offer Campylobacter fetus (Microagglutination). Overtime, more reliable methods have been developed and requests for this test have steadily declined. … [Read more...] about TVMDL retires Campylobacter fetus (Microagglutination)
Akey set to retire from Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory
After 34 years in the veterinary field, Bruce Akey, DVM, director of the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, Bryan-College Station, will retire at the end of June. Akey joined TVMDL in 2014. Since joining the agency, he has … [Read more...] about Akey set to retire from Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory
Heavy rains increase potential for mosquito-borne diseases
Recently, most of Texas has experienced record-setting rainfall. Flood waters can lead to a multitude of animal health concerns, but as the weather begins to warm up, one concern has the potential to be the most harmful: mosquitos. When it comes … [Read more...] about Heavy rains increase potential for mosquito-borne diseases
Celebrate with us! View the live stream of TVMDL Canyon’s grand opening
Join TVMDL as we celebrate the grand opening of our Canyon laboratory on June 3! We are excited to share in the excitement with our neighbors at Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Science's VERO as we both celebrate the grand … [Read more...] about Celebrate with us! View the live stream of TVMDL Canyon’s grand opening
TVMDL updates reference intervals for several feline tests
In an effort to always provide optimum client service, the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory's (TVMDL) clinical pathology section in College Station recently completed a large study to update the reference intervals for several … [Read more...] about TVMDL updates reference intervals for several feline tests
TVMDL’s diagnostic plans: Adding efficiency to diagnostic testing
The Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) offers clients four sets of diagnostic plans based on clinical signs or gross necropsy findings. Each plan is a suggested start to diagnostic testing. The client has the ability to … [Read more...] about TVMDL’s diagnostic plans: Adding efficiency to diagnostic testing
Robbins joins TVMDL as Canyon resident director
Rebecca Robbins, DVM, PhD joined the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory’s (TVMDL) Canyon laboratory on May 10. She will serve as the laboratory’s resident director. Robbins is a three-time graduate of North Carolina State … [Read more...] about Robbins joins TVMDL as Canyon resident director
Polytetrafluoroethylene Toxicosis (TeflonTM Toxicity)
Polytetrafluoroethylene Toxicosis (TeflonTM Toxicity) Martin Ficken, DVM, PhD, ACPV The non-stick coating polytetrafluoroethylene (TeflonTM) on cookware, light bulbs, and ovens releases fluorinated gases upon overheating. This is particularly … [Read more...] about Polytetrafluoroethylene Toxicosis (TeflonTM Toxicity)
Fungal Equine Endometritis
Fungal Equine Endometritis Judith Akins, DVM, MS Vaginal/uterine discharge was submitted to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) in College Station from an eight-year-old Warmblood mare for culture and a cytologic … [Read more...] about Fungal Equine Endometritis
TVMDL retires Cholinesterase test
The Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) has retired Cholinesterase (Kinetic pH/Kinetic Colorimetric). Due to the availability of safer pest control products, organophosphate and carbamate pesticide intoxication has become … [Read more...] about TVMDL retires Cholinesterase test
Bone biopsy best practices
Submitting samples of bone for histopathological analysis is essential to definitively diagnose most primary bone diseases (e.g., osteosarcoma). However, collecting representative bone biopsy specimens and their histopathological interpretations … [Read more...] about Bone biopsy best practices
Borst and Edwards co-author article over zoonotic filarioid nematode in south Texas dog
Onchocerca lupi is a parasite that can be found in the periocular tissues of dogs. In the United States, most documented cases of canine onchocerciasis have been from the southwestern United States, primarily California and New Mexico. Anatomic … [Read more...] about Borst and Edwards co-author article over zoonotic filarioid nematode in south Texas dog
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
Enterotoxemia in sheep and goats
Enterotoxemia in Sheep and Goats Guy Sheppard DVM and Randi Gold VMD, PhD, DACVP Enterotoxemia, commonly called “overeating disease”, is a common problem in sheep and goats, especially in animals under a year of age. The disease occurs in … [Read more...] about Enterotoxemia in sheep and goats
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”
Edwards contributes to literature over Chagas disease in government working dogs
TVMDL Anatomic Pathology Assistant Section Head Erin Edwards, DVM, MS, DACVP recently co-authored a publication on Chagas disease in government working dogs. This article, titled “Fatal Chagas myocarditis in government working dogs in the southern … [Read more...] about Edwards contributes to literature over Chagas disease in government working dogs