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 Laboratory suggests assembling a necropsy field kit. The kit should include the following tools and materials, all of which…
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 route. Collection Guidelines What is an ideal serum sample? Since most serologic testing utilizes serum, blood should be collected…
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. While this handout discusses bacterial culture, TVMDL also offers a uterine biopsy and cytology service. Uterine culture is one of the more frequently requested tests to assess…
In this article What is Johne’s disease? Johne’s disease is a chronic, progressive intestinal disease of ruminants caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis, also known as MAP. The organism infects the small intestine, leading to thickening of the intestinal wall, reduced nutrient absorption, and eventually diarrhea and severe weight loss. The disease typically…
Drought conditions can create two deadly dangers for a herd: water deprivation and water (salt) intoxication. Poor water quality will worsen these conditions. Water DeprivationHigh temperatures combined with a lack of fresh water or green forage can lead to dehydration and death. During a drought, a poorly managed herd may lack access to enough fresh…
Commonly called “ringworm,” the public sometimes assumes a parasitic cause, but the veterinary community knows the cause is fungal — an important distinction when diagnosing and managing cases. Dermatophytosis is one of the more common fungal infections veterinarians encounter, yet it can be deceptively tricky to diagnose and manage. Practitioners can rely on the Texas A&M Veterinary…
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…
Information that covers MCF in ruminants.
Stock show season brings together months of preparation for exhibitors and their animals. Veterinarians play a key role in ensuring that performance animals are managed responsibly and in compliance with competition rules. The Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, TVMDL, offers performance animal drug screening using modern LC/MS (liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry). Each year, TVMDL…
Photosensitization is a serious skin condition in horses and cattle caused by a hazardous combination of certain plants and ultraviolet (UV) light. Certain plants contain photodynamic agents, which then cause a reaction in the animal’s body that leads to ultra-sensitive skin. This condition is specific to lightly or non-pigmented animals or areas of an animal…