Search results for “parasite identification”.
Gastrointestinal, GI, parasites bring serious concern to equine health. Among the various types of parasites includes the most common nematodes from the Strongylidae family. In the last two years, the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, TVMDL, has detected parasites in approximately 49% of equine fecal samples submitted for parasitology testing. Of this group, 45%…
A six-year-old mixed breed gelding experienced a sudden onset of neurologic signs including a stiff jaw, body tremors, dilated pupils, photophobia, and ataxia. Symptomatic treatment was unsuccessful, and the horse was euthanized after becoming intractable. The attending veterinarian performed a field necropsy and noted icterus, subcutaneous hemorrhages (attributed to trauma), acute pleural hemorrhage, agonal endocardial…
An unidentified microfilaria was found on a blood smear obtained from a 16-year old, female, captive penguin who was being treated for respiratory aspergillosis. The attending veterinarian submitted whole blood and a fresh blood smear to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) for parasite identification. Multiple microfilariae were seen on the submitted blood…
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…
A less than one-year-old, 48 lb. female sitatunga (Tragelaphus spekii) in fair to poor body condition was submitted to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) for necropsy. The clinical history indicated the animal was found in a bog area with suspected radial nerve paralysis of the right front leg. Clinically, pneumonia was a…
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 formalin-fixed globe from an 11-year-old, castrated male, Pitbull dog was submitted to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) as a biopsy. The patient was from south Texas with an unknown travel history. The dog was reported to have a history of corneal ulceration, and enucleation was performed when perforation occurred. Histologically, the…
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…
An adult female cougar (Felis concolor) suspected to have been involved in a human attack in far west Texas was trapped and euthanized. The animal was submitted to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) for diagnostic testing. At necropsy, the carcass was thin with no visceral or subcutaneous fat. Other significant gross findings included…
An 11-year-old Corgi mix was presented to the veterinarian with intermittent diarrhea and inappetence. History noted the dog had clinical signs of gastrointestinal (GI) disease for the past few months, was current on vaccinations and was fed a raw food diet. A fecal sample was submitted to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL)…