The Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) has retired the in-house Avian Encephalomyelitis Virus (ELISA) due to a significant decrease in demand. As an alternative testing option, TVMDL can refer samples to the University of … [Read more...] about TVMDL retires Avian Encephalomyelitis Virus (ELISA)
Avian
Cerebrospinal Nematodiasis (Visceral Larval Migrans) in Birds
Cerebrospinal Nematodiasis (Visceral Larval Migrans) in Birds Martin Ficken, DVM, PhD, ACPV Nematodes of the genus Baylisascaris are recognized as causes of avian cerebral nematodiasis. Baylisascaris columnaris, the ascarid of skunks and … [Read more...] about Cerebrospinal Nematodiasis (Visceral Larval Migrans) in Birds
Spironucleosis (Hexamitiasis) in Quail
Spironucleosis (Hexamitiasis) in Quail Martin Ficken, DVM, PhD, ACPV A flock of approximately 10,000 Coturnix quail, aged 5.5 months, were experiencing mild diarrhea and various vague neurological symptoms resulting in a spike in mortality over … [Read more...] about Spironucleosis (Hexamitiasis) in Quail
Carcinomatosis in laying chickens
Carcinomatosis in laying chickens Martin Ficken, DVM, PhD, ACVP A female Gray Barred chicken was presented to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) in Gonzales. The chicken was approximately 2 years old and weighed … [Read more...] about Carcinomatosis in laying chickens
Dimitrov contributes to literature over Newcastle disease
Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) Assistant Agency Director Kiril Dimitrov, DVM, PhD, was part of three groups that recently published journal articles covering avian topics. The first article covers the … [Read more...] about Dimitrov contributes to literature over Newcastle disease
Polytetrafluoroethylene Toxicosis (TeflonTM Toxicity)
Polytetrafluoroethylene Toxicosis (TeflonTM Toxicity) Martin Ficken, DVM, PhD, ACPV The non-stick coating polytetrafluoroethylene (TeflonTM) on cookware, light bulbs, and ovens releases fluorinated gases upon overheating. This is particularly … [Read more...] about Polytetrafluoroethylene Toxicosis (TeflonTM Toxicity)
Facial nodular cellulitis in broiler breeder pullets
Facial nodular cellulitis in broiler breeder pullets Gabriel Senties-Cue, MVZ, EPAA, MS Twelve 11 and 12-week-old broiler breeder pullets from two farms were submitted to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) in … [Read more...] about Facial nodular cellulitis in broiler breeder pullets
Dimitrov contributes three articles to avian diagnostic literature
Kiril Dimitrov, DVM, PhD, virology section head, was part of three groups that recently published journal articles covering avian topics. The first article covers the discovery of a novel picornavirus associated with Runting and Stunting Syndrome … [Read more...] about Dimitrov contributes three articles to avian diagnostic literature
Bordetellosis (Turkey Coryza) in Turkeys
Bordetellosis (Turkey Coryza) in Turkeys By Martin Ficken, DVM, PhD Bordetellosis is a highly contagious upper respiratory tract disease of poultry caused by Bordetella avium, a gram-negative motile aerobic rod-shaped bacterium. B. avium is … [Read more...] about Bordetellosis (Turkey Coryza) in Turkeys
Aspergillosis in a Pacific Eider
Aspergillosis in a Pacific Eider Erin Edwards, DVM, MS, DACVP and Narayan Paul, DVM, MS, PhD A four-year-old Pacific eider (sea duck) was reported to have a history of open-mouth breathing. It had been treated for suspected aspergillosis prior to … [Read more...] about Aspergillosis in a Pacific Eider
Depluming mites in birds
Depluming mites in birds Martin Ficken, DVM, PhD Depluming mites (Knemidocoptes gallinae, Neocnemidocoptes gallinae) are found worldwide and are related to the scaly leg mite (Knemicocoptes mutans). Depluming mites prefer feathered portions of … [Read more...] about Depluming mites in birds
Microfilaria identified in a penguin
Microfilaria identified in a penguin Cheryl Maguire, DVM, Mindy Borst, LVT 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 … [Read more...] about Microfilaria identified in a penguin
Fowl Pox in Houdan chickens
Fowl Pox in Houdan chickens Gabriel Senties-Cue, MVZ, EPAA, MS Fowl Pox was diagnosed in three Houdan chickens submitted for diagnostic workup to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) in Center, Texas. Upon … [Read more...] about Fowl Pox in Houdan chickens
Ochroconosis (Dactylariosis) in birds
Ochroconosis (Dactylariosis) in birds Martin Ficken, DVM Ochroconosis is a sporadic fungal encephalitis that has been reported in young chickens, turkey poults, quail chicks, and wild birds. It is caused by a dematiaceous, thermophilic fungus, … [Read more...] about Ochroconosis (Dactylariosis) in birds
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
Viral arthritis in broiler chickens
Viral arthritis in broiler chickens Gabriel Senties-Cue, MVZ, EPAA, MS Ten live 20-day-old, meat type chickens were submitted to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory’s (TVMDL) Center laboratory with a clinical history of … [Read more...] about Viral arthritis in broiler chickens
Mycoplasma synoviae (MS) infection in meat type chickens
Mycoplasma synoviae (MS) infection in meat type chickens Gabriel Senties-Cue, MVZ, EPAA, MS Mycoplasma synoviae (MS) infection was diagnosed in a flock of 113-day-old, brown feathered, meat type, chickens. Ten live birds were submitted to the … [Read more...] about Mycoplasma synoviae (MS) infection in meat type chickens
Fatty Liver – Hemorrhagic Syndrome in a Chicken
Fatty Liver – Hemorrhagic Syndrome in a Chicken Martin Ficken, DVM, PhD A dead one-year-old female Red Sex-Link chicken was presented to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory in Gonzales, Texas for necropsy examination. … [Read more...] about Fatty Liver – Hemorrhagic Syndrome in a Chicken
Rickets in backyard chickens
Rickets in backyard chickens Gabriel Senties-Cue, MVZ, EPAA, MS Rickets was diagnosed in a live, 3-month-old, backyard type, female chicken. The bird was submitted to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) in Center, … [Read more...] about Rickets in backyard chickens
Histomoniasis (Blackhead) in birds
Histomoniasis (Blackhead) in birds Martin Ficken, DVM, PhD The causative agent of histomoniasis is a protozoan parasite Histomonas meleagridis. Numerous gallinaceous birds are affected by this parasite including turkeys, chickens, chukar … [Read more...] about Histomoniasis (Blackhead) in birds
“Hardware Disease” in Backyard Chickens
“Hardware Disease” in Backyard Chickens Martin Ficken, DVM, PhD “Hardware disease” in backyard chickens and other birds is caused by the ingestion of metal objects present in their environment. These objects range from sharp objects that … [Read more...] about “Hardware Disease” in Backyard Chickens
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
Coccidiosis in Broiler Breeders
Coccidiosis in Broiler Breeders By Gabriel Senties-Cue, MVZ, EPAA, MS, TVMDL Center Resident Director Severe coccidiosis was diagnosed in a 22-week-old, broiler breeder flock. Three dead birds were submitted to the Texas A&M Veterinary … [Read more...] about Coccidiosis in Broiler Breeders
Diagnostic Guidance: Fowl Pox
Diagnostic Guidance: Fowl Pox By Martin Ficken, DVM, PhD Fowl pox is caused by a DNA virus (fowl pox virus). Many species of birds have their own specific pox virus. Infection can occur in two different forms: dry and wet. Dry pox occurs … [Read more...] about Diagnostic Guidance: Fowl Pox
Gangrenous dermatitis discovered in separate broiler flocks
Gangrenous dermatitis discovered in separate broiler flocks Gabriel Senties-Cue, MVZ, EPAA, MS Recently, the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) in Center diagnosed gangrenous dermatitis (GD) in three flocks of broilers … [Read more...] about Gangrenous dermatitis discovered in separate broiler flocks
