Each year the holidays bring together family, friends, and food. Spending time with others is a special part of the season. The Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) encourages pet owners to remain vigilant during … [Read more...] about Pet owners should be vigilant of potentially toxic sources during the holidays
DX Guidance
Best practices for submitting samples for brucellosis testing
Each year, the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) performs thousands of tests for brucellosis. To ensure samples are accessioned and tested quickly and accurately, TVMDL recommends the following best … [Read more...] about Best practices for submitting samples for brucellosis testing
How to create a comprehensive serology testing plan
Prior to diagnostic testing, it’s important to determine what factors would lead to the most comprehensive assessment of an animal’s condition. Each case must be evaluated individually in order to establish the most practical diagnostic testing … [Read more...] about How to create a comprehensive serology testing plan
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
Diagnostic Guidance: Skin Biopsy Best Practices
Diagnostic Guidance: Skin Biopsy Best Practices Will Sims, DVM, MS Dermatology cases are one of the most common types of cases seen by general practitioners. A crucial diagnostic tool in these cases is the skin biopsy. They are indicated … [Read more...] about Diagnostic Guidance: Skin Biopsy Best Practices
Review the range: Cattle and horse owners encouraged to be aware of potentially toxic plants
Spring is getting closer and summer is not far behind. As the seasons change, it’s important to be aware of the different plants that have grown or been added to your surroundings and their potential toxic effects on cattle and horses. What are … [Read more...] about Review the range: Cattle and horse owners encouraged to be aware of potentially toxic plants
Submitting samples for equine uterine cultures at TVMDL
The Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) offers a variety of diagnostic tests that may be used as part of the breeding soundness examination of a mare. In addition to bacterial culture, TVMDL also offers a uterine biopsy and … [Read more...] about Submitting samples for equine uterine cultures at TVMDL
Don’t let your pet pick their poison: Stay vigilant of potentially toxic sources this New Year’s Eve
Although holiday celebrations are coming to a close, it is important pet owners continue to stay vigilant about potentially toxic sources. The Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) encourages pet owners to take steps to … [Read more...] about Don’t let your pet pick their poison: Stay vigilant of potentially toxic sources this New Year’s Eve
Diagnostic Guidance: Rumen Acidosis (Grain Overload)
Diagnostic Guidance: Rumen Acidosis (Grain Overload) Guy Sheppard, DVM Grain is certainly an important feedstuff for livestock, but it can also be deadly if not fed correctly. Grains are rich in carbohydrates and provide energy for the animals … [Read more...] about Diagnostic Guidance: Rumen Acidosis (Grain Overload)
How to properly pack samples for CWD ELISA testing
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is progressive neurological disease that affects several cervid species. The CWD susceptible species are white-tailed deer, black-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, red deer, reindeer, sika, and moose. Since it was first … [Read more...] about How to properly pack samples for CWD ELISA testing
Anaplasmosis in cattle
Anaplasmosis in cattle Guy Sheppard, DVM Anaplasmosis is a blood cell parasite of cattle with a worldwide distribution, but the disease is most common in tropical and subtropical areas. Anaplasma marginale is the most common organism involved in … [Read more...] about Anaplasmosis in cattle
Diagnostics of a disaster: Skin and foot 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...] about Diagnostics of a disaster: Skin and foot concerns during floods
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...] about Diagnostics of a disaster: Insect-borne disease concerns during floods
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...] about Diagnostics of a disaster: Animal disease concerns during floods
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...] about In-Pouch vs PBS for Trichomonas testing in bulls
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...] about How to get the most out of your TVMDL consultation
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...] about The Basics of Heartworm Disease Testing
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...] about How to assemble a necropsy field kit
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...] about Serum Sample Guidelines
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...] about Diagnostic guidance: Cantharidin poisoning in horses
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...] about Prepare your horses for spring: Vaccinate for West Nile virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus
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...] about TVMDL experts working toward development of Newcastle disease assay thanks to grant
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...] about Diagnostic Guidance: E. coli Toxin Typing in Ruminants
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...] about Diagnostic Guidance: Equine Pre-Purchase Drug Screen
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...] about Chronic Wasting Disease: Detecting the Disease Plaguing Texas’s Deer Populations
