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
analytical chemistry
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
Drug Testing During the Fall Livestock Show Season
Drug Testing During the Fall Livestock Show Season Travis Mays, MS, PhD Between the months of August to December, the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) performs drug testing on more than 1,000 urine, blood, fecal, and … [Read more...] about Drug Testing During the Fall Livestock Show Season
Possible Eprinomectin toxicity in a calf
Possible Eprinomectin toxicity in a calf Travis May, MS, PhD A two-month-old, 150-pound, Brahman-cross heifer calf was observed with neurologic signs following application of what was believed to be a permethrin-based insecticide. The calf died … [Read more...] about Possible Eprinomectin toxicity in a calf
Sodium Ion Toxicosis in Cattle
Sodium Ion Toxicosis in Cattle Travis Mays, Analytical Chemistry Section Head Approximately 40 head of Hereford cows were grazing on 12 sections of land with oil production activity present. In one particular section, four to five cows were found … [Read more...] about Sodium Ion Toxicosis in Cattle
ELISA Screening Detects Fumonisin in Corn
ELISA Screening Detects Fumonisin in Corn Travis Mays, Analytical Chemistry Section Head A 3-year-old, male Quarter horse became ataxic and kept falling over, eventually being unable to rise. The horse ultimately had to be euthanized. The onset … [Read more...] about ELISA Screening Detects Fumonisin in Corn
Coffee Senna Poisoning in Cattle
Coffee Senna Poisoning in Cattle By Travis Mays, Analytical Chemistry Section Head Approximately 200 head of cattle were grazing on improved native Bermuda grass pastures in the Colorado River bottom. Vegetation also included a large number of … [Read more...] about Coffee Senna Poisoning in Cattle
Nitrate Poisoning in Cattle
Nitrate Poisoning in Cattle By Travis Mays, Analytical Chemistry Section Head Recently, seventeen cows died within twenty-four hours after consuming new hay. All of the cows died within 100 yards of the hay. A sample of the hay, along with tissue … [Read more...] about Nitrate Poisoning in Cattle
Chlorinated hydrocarbon and arsenic poisoning in cattle
Chlorinated hydrocarbon and arsenic poisoning in cattle By Travis Mays, Analytical Chemistry Section Head A herd of 14, six-month-old crossbred cattle was turned out into a new pasture. Within five days, five head died suddenly. An old barn with … [Read more...] about Chlorinated hydrocarbon and arsenic poisoning in cattle
Bromethalin poisoning in a feline
Bromethalin poisoning in a feline By Travis Mays, MS With over 800,000 tests run annually, TVMDL encounters many challenging cases. Our case study series will highlight these interesting cases to increase awareness among veterinary and diagnostic … [Read more...] about Bromethalin poisoning in a feline