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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
Blue-green Algae: Keeping Pets and Livestock Safe this Summer
As summer comes to an end, animal owners should be wary of the potential threat of blue-green algae. Cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, are a phylum of bacteria that produce energy through photosynthesis. These bacteria are often found … [Read more...]
Helman and Monday Present at 2019 Bovine Respiratory Disease Symposium and Summer Academy of Veterinary Consultants Meeting
Dr. Gayman Helman, Amarillo Resident Director, and Dr. Jessie Monday, veterinary diagnostician, recently attended the 2019 Bovine Respiratory Disease Symposium and the summer Academy of Veterinary Consultants (AVC) meetings in Denver, Colorado. The … [Read more...]
MSMA (monosodium methyl arsenate) is Not for Pasture Use
MSMA (monosodium methyl arsenate) is Not for Pasture Use Cat Barr, PhD A cattle owner in eastern Texas noticed several of the 50 weaned calves in his coastal pasture had diarrhea and didn’t seem to want to eat. The pasture had been sprayed with … [Read more...]
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...]
Factors involved in a Bovine Respiratory Disease Complex (BRDC) diagnosis
Factors involved in a Bovine Respiratory Disease Complex (BRDC) diagnosis By Guy Sheppard, DVM The Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) frequently works on Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) cases. Multiple factors lead to … [Read more...]
Malignant Catarrhal Fever in a 1-Year-Old Heifer
Malignant Catarrhal Fever in a 1-Year-Old Heifer R. Gayman Helman, DVM, PhD, MA, Guy Sheppard, DVM, and Megan Schroeder, PhD A 1-year-old heifer became weak and went off by herself in mid-April. The heifer was examined by the submitting … [Read more...]
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...]
Unusual Manifestation of Papular Stomatitis in a Feedlot Steer
Unusual Manifestation of Papular Stomatitis in a Feedlot Steer Gayman Helman, DVM, PhD, MA, Will P. Sims, DVM, MS, Gustavo Delhon, PhD A male-castrated, crossbred steer was noted to have a severe and locally extensive skin disease involving the … [Read more...]
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...]
Coffee senna linked to cattle deaths in Texas
Coffee senna linked to cattle deaths in Texas By Guy Sheppard, DVM and Cat Barr, PhD Since the onset of winter, the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) has seen quite a few cases of intoxication in cattle that have … [Read more...]
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...]
Melanocytic Tumors in Cattle
Melanocytic Tumors in Cattle By Will Sims, DVM A biopsy from a 7-month-old cross breed bovine steer with a large mass was submitted to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) in Amarillo. The mass had been surgically … [Read more...]
Cattle Nutritional Decline in the Winter
Cattle Nutritional Decline in the Winter By Guy Sheppard, DVM In early December, livestock submitted for necropsy at the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) in College Station demonstrated various signs of declining … [Read more...]
Bacillary hemoglobinuria in a cow
Bacillary hemoglobinuria in a cow By Andrés de la Concha-Bermejillo, DVM, MS, PhD The carcass of a female, 913 pound, 7-year-old Angus cow was submitted to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) for necropsy. History … [Read more...]
Bovine Influenza D Virus (qPCR) added to TVMDL test catalog
The Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) recently added a qPCR for Bovine Influenza D Virus to its catalog of tests. As interest in this pathogen increases across the United States, TVMDL is pleased to offer this test to … [Read more...]
Making the case for liver sampling: Why liver biopsies are better for detecting copper deficiencies
Making the case for liver sampling: Why liver biopsies are better for detecting copper deficiencies By Cat Barr, PhD, DABT Copper deficiency has historically been problematic in Texas cattle herds with red-haired, black cows being the least of … [Read more...]
Nitrate toxicity in a herd of cattle
Nitrate toxicity in a herd of cattle By Will Sims, DVM, MS A producer reported a sudden death loss of six head of cattle. Two of the animals were submitted to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) for necropsy to … [Read more...]
