Texas winters are infamously fickle. Each year, weather conditions range from mild temperatures with high humidity to record-setting rain, sleet, and sometimes, snow. It’s also not uncommon for Texas to experience these weather conditions throughout … [Read more...] about Keeping livestock healthy during a Texas winter
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Best practices for submitting samples for brucellosis testing
Each year, the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) performs thousands of tests for brucellosis. To ensure samples are accessioned and tested quickly and accurately, TVMDL recommends the following best … [Read more...] about Best practices for submitting samples for brucellosis testing
Polio Syndrome in Ruminants
Polio Syndrome in Ruminants Guy Sheppard, DVM Polioencephalomalacia “Polio” is a syndrome of ruminant animals affecting the central nervous system. Seizures are the most notable sign, progressing quickly to the death of the affected animal … [Read more...] about Polio Syndrome in Ruminants
Detection of Neospora caninum DNA in a mummified bovine fetus
Detection of Neospora caninum DNA in a mummified bovine fetus Andrés de la Concha-Bermejillo, DVM, MS, PhD, Pam Ferro, PhD, Megan Schroeder, PhD The body of a midterm bovine fetus and the attached placenta were submitted to the Texas A&M … [Read more...] about Detection of Neospora caninum DNA in a mummified bovine fetus
Osteogenesis and dentinogenesis imperfecta in a calf
Osteogenesis and Dentinogenesis Imperfecta in a Calf Randi Gold VMD, PhD, DACVP and Guy Sheppard DVM A 21 day-old calf with a history of multiple leg fractures and no evidence of external injuries was euthanized and sent into the TVMDL for … [Read more...] about Osteogenesis and dentinogenesis imperfecta in a calf
De la Concha presents at 2021 Therio Conference
Earlier this summer, Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) Veterinary Pathologist Andrés de la Concha, DVM, MS, PhD presented at the 2021 Therio Conference in Omaha, Nebraska. The Therio Conference is hosted by the Society … [Read more...] about De la Concha presents at 2021 Therio Conference
Monday discusses recent anthrax cases on Around the Caprock
Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) Veterinary Diagnostician Jessie Monday, DVM, MS was a recent guest on Texas Farm Bureau Radio Network's show Around the Caprock. She discussed two recent anthrax cases TVMDL confirmed in … [Read more...] about Monday discusses recent anthrax cases on Around the Caprock
Photosensitization: Causes and testing options
Photosensitization is a serious skin condition in horses and cattle caused by a hazardous combination of certain plants and ultraviolet (UV) light. Certain plants contain photodynamic agents, which then cause a reaction in the animal’s body that … [Read more...] about Photosensitization: Causes and testing options
Listeriosis in Cattle
Listeriosis in Cattle Guy Sheppard, DVM Since last summer, the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) has seen a few cases of listeriosis in cattle. Submitting veterinarians have reported profound neurological signs that … [Read more...] about Listeriosis in Cattle
The role of diagnostic testing in establishing bovine vaccination programs
The role of diagnostic testing in establishing bovine vaccination programs Guy Sheppard, DVM Vaccination programs are integral to the overall health and profitability of a cattle operation. Without vaccinations, diseases such as Bovine … [Read more...] about The role of diagnostic testing in establishing bovine vaccination programs
Monday discusses lingering effects of Winter Storm Uri on cattle in the Texas High Plains
Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) Veterinary Diagnostician Jessie Monday, DVM, MS was recently interviewed for the Texas Farm Bureau Radio Network Program "Around the Caprock". She discussed how Winter Storm Uri may … [Read more...] about Monday discusses lingering effects of Winter Storm Uri on cattle in the Texas High Plains
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
Tracking transboundary and emerging diseases: Newly funded project aims to use Next-Generation Sequencing to detect bovine diseases sooner
Transboundary and emerging diseases are constant threats to the livestock industry. Even as biosafety measures have evolved, there is always the lingering peril of highly contagious or newly discovered diseases impacting animal health. Through a … [Read more...] about Tracking transboundary and emerging diseases: Newly funded project aims to use Next-Generation Sequencing to detect bovine diseases sooner
Cryptosporidiosis in cattle
Cryptosporidiosis in cattle Guy Sheppard, DVM and Gabriel Gomez, DVM, PhD, DACVP A seven-day-old angus bull calf with a history of diarrhea was necropsied by the submitting veterinarian. The small intestine, liver, kidney and the lymph node were … [Read more...] about Cryptosporidiosis in cattle
Diagnostic Guidance: Rumen Acidosis (Grain Overload)
Diagnostic Guidance: Rumen Acidosis (Grain Overload) Guy Sheppard, DVM Grain is certainly an important feedstuff for livestock, but it can also be deadly if not fed correctly. Grains are rich in carbohydrates and provide energy for the animals … [Read more...] about Diagnostic Guidance: Rumen Acidosis (Grain Overload)
Anaplasmosis in cattle
Anaplasmosis in cattle Guy Sheppard, DVM Anaplasmosis is a blood cell parasite of cattle with a worldwide distribution, but the disease is most common in tropical and subtropical areas. Anaplasma marginale is the most common organism involved in … [Read more...] about Anaplasmosis in cattle
Bovine thrombotic meningoncephalitis
Bovine thrombotic meningoncephalitis Guy Sheppard, DVM and Andrés de la Concha-Bermejilla, DVM, MS, PhD Bovine thrombotic meningoencephalitis (TEM), formerly known as thromboembolic meningoencephalitis (TEME), is a neurological disease, primarily … [Read more...] about Bovine thrombotic meningoncephalitis
Pyrrolizidine Alkaloid Toxicity in a mature brangus cow
Pyrrolizidine Alkaloid Toxicity in a mature brangus cow David A. Sher, B.S, Catherine Barr, PhD, Dipl ABT, Gabriel Gomez, DVM, PhD, Dipl ACVP An adult, female, 800 lb., Brangus cow in poor body condition was submitted to the Texas A&M … [Read more...] about Pyrrolizidine Alkaloid Toxicity in a mature brangus cow
Testing Options for Anaplasma marginale in Cattle
Testing Options for Anaplasma marginale in Cattle Melanie T. Landis, DVM, MBA Anaplasma marginale is a rickettsial bacterium that invades the red blood cells (RBCs) of ruminants, primarily cattle, and is considered the most common tick-borne … [Read more...] about Testing Options for Anaplasma marginale in Cattle
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
In-Pouch vs PBS for Trichomonas testing in bulls
In-Pouch vs PBS for trichomonas testing in bulls Guy Sheppard, DVM Over two years ago, the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) approved the direct smegma sample submitted in PBS solution as an acceptable testing method for Trichomoniasis … [Read more...] about In-Pouch vs PBS for Trichomonas testing in bulls
Johne’s Disease: How are cattle affected?
Johne’s Disease: How are cattle affected? Guy Sheppard, DVM The Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) has seen quite a few cattle testing positive for Johne’s Disease in the last several months. Clinically affected cattle … [Read more...] about Johne’s Disease: How are cattle affected?
Malignant Catarrhal Fever in a 1-year-old heifer
Malignant Catarrhal Fever in a 1-year-old heifer By R. Gayman Helman, DVM, PhD, Guy Sheppard, DVM, and Meagan Schroeder, PhD A 1-year-old heifer became weak and isolated herself. Three days later, the heifer was examined by the submitting … [Read more...] about Malignant Catarrhal Fever in a 1-year-old heifer
Necropsy of rare bovine conjoined twins
Necropsy of rare bovine conjoined twins By Erin Edwards, DVM, MS, DACVP and Gaya Balamayooran, DVM, PhD, DACVP Recently, bovine conjoined twin calves were submitted to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL). Both the … [Read more...] about Necropsy of rare bovine conjoined twins
Bovine Abortion Caused by Leptospira spp.
Bovine Abortion Caused by Leptospira spp. Guy Sheppard, DVM, Gabriel Gomez, DVM, PhD, Pam Ferro, MS, PhD, and Megan Schroeder, PhD Tissue from a cross-bred bovine fetus in the third trimester of gestation was submitted to the Texas A&M … [Read more...] about Bovine Abortion Caused by Leptospira spp.
