A veterinary pathologist at the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, TVMDL, Josué Díaz-Delgado, DVM, MS, PhD, DACVP, recently contributed to the publication of a new peer-reviewed research article addressing an emerging bacterial threat to U.S. catfish aquaculture. The article documents the first confirmed case of Plesiomonas shigelloides infection in Texas commercial catfish production. This…
A veterinary pathologist at the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, TVMDL, Josué Díaz-Delgado, DVM, MS, PhD, DACVP, recently contributed to what is likely the first documented case of a rare cardiovascular defect in an avian species. The case involved a 33-year-old, male, blue-and-gold macaw (Ara ararauna), that died unexpectedly, without prior clinical indications, at…
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…
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…
An anatomic pathologist at the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, TVMDL, was listed as the second author on a newly published case report describing an unusual and severe case of a tapeworm larval infection in an Anatolian Shepherd dog, with evidence suggesting that long-term infection may have contributed to the development of cancer. The work was…
The winter season often gets the blame when livestock health begins to dwindle; however cold temperatures are rarely the direct cause of disease. Instead, stress triggered from frigid weather conditions are significant points of concern. As many parts of the south brace for this weekend’s winter weather, it’s critical to consider the potential impact on livestock. When winter…
In this article: Overview: Equine infectious anemia (EIA) Equine Infectious Anemia, EIA, is a blood-borne viral disease of equids caused by the Equine Infectious Anemia Virus, EIAV, a lentivirus in the Retroviridae family, making it a relative of HIV. Once an equid is infected, the virus integrates into host macrophages and persists for life due to its ability to…
On February 2, Suzanna Storms, DVM, PhD, joined the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) as the serology section head in College Station. Storms is a three-time graduate of the University of Illinois. In 2014, she earned a Bachelor of Science in animal sciences, a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 2019, and in 2024…
Reproductive efficiency is central to herd health, productivity, and economic sustainability in large animal systems. When infertility, pregnancy loss, or abortion occurs, veterinarians must identify the underlying cause to prevent further reproductive losses and protect overall herd health. In a recent podcast episode of Diseases and Diagnosis, produced by the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, TVMDL, veterinary diagnostician Semira…
Clostridial myositis, also known as blackleg, is a severe, rapidly fatal infectious disease of livestock that remains a significant concern for veterinarians and producers. The disease is caused by Clostridium chauvoei, a spore-forming, toxin-producing anaerobic bacterium that is widely distributed in soil. “These spores are commonly found in soil,” said Alexis Thompson, DVM, Ph.D., DACVPM (Epidemiology). “Livestock typically ingest…