Many Texans rely upon the weather for a variety of reasons. From crops to cattle, Texans are often at the mercy of Mother Nature. Although droughts can have a dire impact on animal health, floods can contribute to widespread issues among animal … [Read more...]
Diagnostics of a disaster: Insect-borne disease concerns during floods
Many Texans rely upon the weather for a variety of reasons. From crops to cattle, Texans are often at the mercy of Mother Nature. Although droughts can have a dire impact on animal health, floods can contribute to widespread issues among animal … [Read more...]
Diagnostics of a disaster: Animal disease concerns during floods
Many Texans rely upon the weather for a variety of reasons. From crops to cattle, Texans are often at the mercy of Mother Nature. Although droughts can have a dire impact on animal health, floods can contribute to widespread issues among animal … [Read more...]
In-Pouch vs PBS for Trichomonas testing in bulls
In-Pouch vs PBS for trichomonas testing in bulls Guy Sheppard, DVM Over two years ago, the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) approved the direct smegma sample submitted in PBS solution as an acceptable testing method for Trichomoniasis … [Read more...]
How to get the most out of your TVMDL consultation
The Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) has several professionals employed who are available for consultation on a variety of subjects. To get the most from a consultation, it is helpful to have the following information … [Read more...]
The Basics of Heartworm Disease Testing
Summer is growing closer and as the weather begins to warm up, mosquitos will become more active. Along with a myriad of other diseases and issues, mosquitos are the causative agent behind one of the issues some pet owners fear most, heartworm … [Read more...]
How to assemble a necropsy field kit
Diagnosing animal diseases frequently requires a veterinarian or a technician to collect specimens in the field. This can be difficult without having the right tools on hand. For these occasions, the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic … [Read more...]
Serum Sample Guidelines
The Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) performs numerous tests using serum. Proper collection, preparation, and packaging for transportation is imperative to obtaining a quality serum sample. Serum samples that arrive at … [Read more...]
Diagnostic guidance: Cantharidin poisoning in horses
When horses ingest the cantharidin toxin through hay or alfalfa contaminated with “blister” beetles, the outcome is often fatal. Toxicosis occurs rapidly; as little as four grams of dried beetles may contain fatal levels of … [Read more...]
Prepare your horses for spring: Vaccinate for West Nile virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus
Last year, the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL), documented fewer cases of West Nile virus than in previous years. The number of positive cases of West Nile virus in horses seen at TVMDL fluctuates from year to year, … [Read more...]
TVMDL experts working toward development of Newcastle disease assay thanks to grant
By Kiril Dimitrov, DVM, PhD The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, commonly known as the 2018 Farm Bill, was enacted in December 2018. The 2018 Farm Bill provides support, certainty, and stability to the U.S. farmers, ranchers, and forest … [Read more...]
Diagnostic Guidance: E. coli Toxin Typing in Ruminants
The Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) currently offers an E. coli Toxin Typing test for ruminants, in addition to toxin typing assays for other species. This assay utilizes rtPCR technology on E. coli isolates recovered … [Read more...]
Diagnostic Guidance: Equine Pre-Purchase Drug Screen
The Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory offers an equine-specific drug screen for pre-purchase exams. The screen assists the veterinarian conducting the pre-purchase exam by identifying certain tranquilizing or NSAID drugs that … [Read more...]
Chronic Wasting Disease: Detecting the Disease Plaguing Texas’s Deer Populations
As the state veterinary diagnostic laboratory, the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) tests hundreds of thousands of samples annually. However, on the brink of each year’s deer hunting season, test numbers begin to spike … [Read more...]
Chagas Disease: TVMDL Testing and Diagnostic Guidance
The Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) routinely sees positive tests for canine trypanosomiasis or Chagas disease. Chagas disease is caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, a hemoflagellate protozoan. Dubbed the … [Read more...]
Thyroid Disease Testing at TVMDL: Diagnostic Guidance and Testing Considerations
The Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) offers four panels for clients wishing to test for thyroid disease. Learn more about each panel, additional test considerations, information over treatment monitoring below. Click … [Read more...]
Diagnosing Feline Heartworms
Diagnosing Feline Heartworms By Melanie T. Landis, DVM, MBA, TVMDL Microbiology Veterinary Diagnostician 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 … [Read more...]
Hemorrhagic Disease in Deer: Clinical Signs and Diagnostic Guidance
Hemorrhagic disease is a viral disease caused by either the epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus or the bluetongue virus. These viruses are closely related, but genetically distinct. In North America, hemorrhagic disease is seen primarily among … [Read more...]
Blue-green Algae: Keeping Pets and Livestock Safe this Summer
As summer comes to an end, animal owners should be wary of the potential threat of blue-green algae. Cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, are a phylum of bacteria that produce energy through photosynthesis. These bacteria are often found … [Read more...]
Mitigating the Risk of Mosquitos: EEE, WEE, and WNV Diagnostic Guidance
Each summer, the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) confirms several cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and West Nile Virus (WNV) in horse populations across the state. Mosquitos play a vital role in the … [Read more...]
Livestock producers should be aware of small-headed sneezeweed
COLLEGE STATION – One plant currently flowering across different parts of the state is poisonous and should be of concern to ranchers, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service expert and Dr. Cat Barr, TVMDL … [Read more...]
Texas Animal Health Commission changes shipping time for Trich test samples
The Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) voted at its December 2016 commission meeting to decrease the allowed shipping time of trichomonas samples from veterinarians to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL). Samples for … [Read more...]
Texas Parks and Wildlife CWD transfer policy
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) Policy Regarding Automated Transfer of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Test Results from Texas A&M Veterinarian Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) News Release Media Contact: Steve Lightfoot, … [Read more...]
APHIS Pet Travel Website
Recently, the USDA Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced a new Pet Travel Website. The site lists information animal owners and practitioners need to correctly test animals moving to or coming from other countries. The APHIS … [Read more...]
From National Hog Farmer: Producers’ help needed in summer SVV fight
Source: Swine Health Information Center / National Hog Farmer Since January, more than 60 positive accessions of the Seneca Valley Virus, or Senecavirus A, have been reported by labs across the United States and new cases appear to be showing up … [Read more...]
