Search results for “parasite identification”.
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…
Although the Texas A&M Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, TVMDL, offers necropsy services, sending large bodies to the lab for examination may not always be feasible. Field necropsies can be used as a tool to provide valuable information about an individual animal and herd health. Correctly and thoroughly collecting specimens in the field may increase the overall…
Between 2019 and 2023, TVMDL has assisted Texas veterinarians in diagnosing 32 cases of hemotropic Mycoplasma infection and 9 cases of cytauxzoonosis in cats. These cases have been identified by microscopic examination of peripheral blood smears, targeted PCR testing, or necropsy/histological examination. Using TVMDL testing data gathered since March 2019, this article provides a brief…
Isolation and identification of epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHD) using cell culture methods.
Isolation and identification of equine arteritis virus (EAV), the causative agent of equine viral arteritis (EVA), using cell culture method.
Recently, the brain of a 7-year-old Quarter horse mare was sent to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) for histopathology. This horse was reported to have clinical neurological signs. Prior to histologic examination, the brain was determined to be rabies-negative by the Texas Department of State Health Services. Histologically, vessels in the brain…
A 10-year-old female dog presented to its veterinarian for routine exam, vaccination and heartworm testing. It was estimated that the dog had been off heartworm preventative for more than six months. In-clinic testing revealed the presence of microfilariae on blood drop analysis, but was negative on an in-house antigen test. TVMDL received whole blood (EDTA)…
Q: What is G6S, and why should I test for it?Caprine mucopolysaccharidosis-iiid is a lysosomal storage disorder, caused by a genetic mutation (a point mutation) which results in a defective G6S (N-Acetylglucosamine-6-sulfatase) enzyme. The only method for testing for this genetic defect is with a DNA test identifying the causative point mutation. Goats should be…
Haemonchosis refers to parasitic infection with Haemonchus contortus, a blood-sucking parasite that lives in the abomasum. This parasite is also known as the barber pole worm due to the macroscopic appearance of the worms. Heavy loads of H. contortus can cause anemia, hypoproteinemia, weight loss, and death. Infection is best described in small ruminants (sheep and goats). Camelids…
A 3-year-old, pet, domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo) was found dead suddenly and was sent to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) in College Station for postmortem examination. The ferret was diagnosed with heartworm disease and caval syndrome at necropsy. Three adult heartworms were found in the heart, filling the pulmonary artery, right…