A haired skin specimen from a white-tailed deer of unknown age was submitted to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) for microscopic examination. The tissue was from a deer that had multiple cutaneous, firm, tan nodules. Microscopically, these tan nodules correlated with markedly dilated hair follicles that contained a large number of cross…
Depluming mites (Knemidocoptes gallinae, Neocnemidocoptes gallinae) are found worldwide and are related to the scaly leg mite (Knemidocoptes mutans). Depluming mites prefer feathered portions of the body while scaly-leg mites infest the non-feathered regions. Both mites spend their entire lives on the bird and do not survive long in the environment. The depluming mite burrows into…
The body of a midterm bovine fetus and the attached placenta were submitted to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) for necropsy and gross examination. Upon examination, the entire fetus and placenta exhibited severe mummification. Tissues of this fetus were submitted to the molecular section for bovine herpesvirus (BHV)-1, BVDV, Leptospira spp. and Neospora caninum rtPCRs.…
Pre-weaning calf diarrhea is a common concern in the beef and dairy industry and the cause may be difficult to determine. This is due to the multifactorial nature of calf diarrhea. Multiple etiologies, both infectious and non-infectious, can result in diarrhea. Disease is caused by an interaction between a host, an agent, and the environment…
We are all familiar with the saying that “cats are not small dogs”. This is true when it comes to feline heartworm disease. While dogs are the typical host for Dirofilaria immitis, cats do become infected with heartworms, but confirming the disease antemortem can be quite difficult. Since cats typically have such a small worm burden…
Fowl pox is caused by a DNA virus (fowl pox virus). Many species of birds have their own specific pox virus. Infection can occur in two different forms: dry and wet. Dry pox occurs through mechanical transmission of the virus to injured or lacerated skin and can occur at any age. Biting insects, such as…
Bone biopsy specimens taken from an adult male castrated domestic feline were submitted to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) for bacterial and fungal culture and histopathologic examination. The referring veterinarian stated that radiographs of the right hock and right radius and ulna indicated changes consistent with possible osteomyelitis or neoplasia. There were…
Four dogs were brought to a veterinary clinic when one had been seizing for several hours and the other three had begun to tremble. All four dogs had reportedly been running loose in a rural area. Vomiting was induced in the worst of the tremblers, and all three of them responded to overnight pentobarbital/fluid therapy…
An 8-year-old spayed domestic short haired cat from east Texas presented to the veterinarian for a lesion on the right hip. When the lesion was shaved, a worm presented itself and was extracted. The worm was submitted to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL), where it was identified as Dracunculus insignis. Dracunculus insignis, more…
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:…