Sample instructions to improve vitamin and trace mineral test results Cat Barr, PhD, DABT The Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) has recently updated the sample requirements for Vitamins A and E in serum and for Trace … [Read more...] about Sample instructions to improve vitamin and trace mineral test results
analytical chemistry
Analytical chemistry research testing capabilities
Analytical chemistry research testing capabilities Travis Mays, MS, PhD The analytical chemistry section at the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) is equipped with instrumentation, including eight mass spectrometers, … [Read more...] about Analytical chemistry research testing capabilities
Strychnine detected in a puppy
Strychnine detected in a puppy Travis Mays, MS, DVM The Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory received stomach content, fresh kidney, and serum from a two-month old mixed breed puppy for testing. The owner found the puppy … [Read more...] about Strychnine detected in a puppy
Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Lab on the front lines of pet food recalls
This story originally appeared in AgriLife Today and was written by Kay Ledbetter. When small-animal veterinarians have questions or problems, they often turn to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, TVMDL, due to the … [Read more...] about Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Lab on the front lines of pet food recalls
TVMDL upgrades strychnine test; Testing now offered for serum samples
The Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory’s (TVMDL) analytical chemistry section recently upgraded its strychnine test. Changes made include detection of strychnine using LC/MS instead of HPLC and detection of strychnine in … [Read more...] about TVMDL upgrades strychnine test; Testing now offered for serum samples
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
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
Zinc contamination in serum samples
Zinc contamination in serum samples Cat Barr, PhD, DABT Recently, the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory’s (TVMDL) analytical chemistry section performed zinc testing on a small set of paired samples. Prior to testing, blood … [Read more...] about Zinc contamination in serum samples
Marijuana detected in multiple dogs
Marijuana detected in multiple dogs Travis Mays, MS, PhD The Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) received serum for marijuana testing from three different dogs over a period of five days. Each case was unrelated, and … [Read more...] about Marijuana detected in multiple dogs
Failed Equine Pre-Purchase Drug Screen
Failed Equine Pre-Purchase Drug Screen Travis Mays, MS, PhD Blood was collected during a routine pre-purchase examination on a horse and submitted to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) in College Station for drug … [Read more...] about Failed Equine Pre-Purchase Drug Screen
Beetles found in alfalfa hay
Beetles Found in Alfalfa Hay Travis Mays, MS, PhD Beetles found in a new batch of alfalfa hay were submitted to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) for identification. TVMDL’s toxicology section can identify toxic … [Read more...] about Beetles found in alfalfa hay
Gopher bait with anticoagulant detected in horses
Gopher bait with anticoagulant detected in horses Guy Sheppard, DVM and Cat Barr, PhD, DABT The Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) was contacted by a client who was concerned a group of horses had potentially consumed … [Read more...] about Gopher bait with anticoagulant detected in horses
TVMDL group authors article for Texas Equine Veterinary Association
A group of veterinarians and scientists from the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory's (TVMDL) College Station laboratory recently authored an article for the Texas Equine Veterinary Association's (TEVA) publication, The Remuda. … [Read more...] about TVMDL group authors article for Texas Equine Veterinary Association
Arsenic toxicosis in two calves
Arsenic toxicosis in two calves By Randi Gold, VMD, PhD, DACVP and Cat Barr, PhD, DABT Two hundred and forty straight stocker cattle were on a wheat and grass pasture with access to old barns filled with moldy hay, chemicals, fertilizers, and … [Read more...] about Arsenic toxicosis in two calves
Pentobarbital in a Turkey Vulture
Pentobarbital in a Turkey Vulture Travis Mays, MS, PhD Twenty turkey vultures were found dead near the vicinity of a horse that was euthanized. One of the turkey vultures was submitted to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory … [Read more...] about Pentobarbital in a Turkey Vulture
Diagnostic Guidance: Keeping cattle hydrated and healthy
It's hot and getting hotter. Each summer in Texas, farmers and ranchers are on the gambling side of the weather, hoping for an appropriate level of rainfall. Although most of the state is not currently experiencing drought-like conditions, the Texas … [Read more...] about Diagnostic Guidance: Keeping cattle hydrated and healthy
Something’s wrong with my pet’s food!
Something's wrong with my pet's food! By Cat Barr, PhD, DABT As a veterinarian, how often do your clients think "Rascal's" food is what caused him to be sick? What do you tell them? Do they report this instance of possible food … [Read more...] about Something’s wrong with my pet’s food!
Quantitating Cantharidin levels in a blister beetle
Quantitating Cantharidin levels in a blister beetle By Cat Barr, PhD, DABT In January, an animal owner in northwestern Washington State contacted the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) regarding possible blister … [Read more...] about Quantitating Cantharidin levels in a blister beetle
Suspected Anticoagulant Bait Confirmed to be Bromethalin
Suspected Anticoagulant Bait Confirmed to be Bromethalin Amy Phillips, Analytical Chemistry Technician and Travis Mays, MS, PhD, Analytical Chemistry Section Head A male kitten was rescued by animal control and taken to a veterinary clinic for … [Read more...] about Suspected Anticoagulant Bait Confirmed to be Bromethalin
Cyanobacteria: No winter break this year
Cyanobacteria: No winter break this year By Cat Barr, PhD, DABT Blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) have barely taken a break this winter. The Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) has already had several positive samples … [Read more...] about Cyanobacteria: No winter break this year
Segmental analysis of hair for drug detection in racing horses
Segmental analysis of hair for drug detection in racing horses Travis Mays, MS, PhD The Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory’s (TVMDL) drug testing laboratory offers a screen for the detection of beta-adrenergic agonist drugs, … [Read more...] about Segmental analysis of hair for drug detection in racing horses
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
Dogs will eat anything, won’t they?
Dogs will eat anything, won’t they? Cat Barr, PhD, DABT Four dogs were brought to a veterinary clinic when one had been seizing for several hours and the other three had begun to tremble. All four dogs had reportedly been running loose in a rural … [Read more...] about Dogs will eat anything, won’t they?
Drug screen for beta-agonists in hair and wool for livestock species added to TVMDL test catalog
The Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) is pleased to announce the addition of a drug screen for beta-agonists in hair and wool for livestock species. Similar to retinal tissue, hair and wool have been shown to retain … [Read more...] about Drug screen for beta-agonists in hair and wool for livestock species added to TVMDL test catalog
Possible Wilted Maple Poisoning in Mare
Possible Wilted Maple Poisoning in Mare Cat Barr, PhD, DABT A 7-year-old pastured mare suffered an acute onset of hemolytic anemia and hematuria. The blood drawn for analysis was hemolyzed and dark. The mare died about three hours after … [Read more...] about Possible Wilted Maple Poisoning in Mare
