Although the Texas A&M Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, TVMDL, offers necropsy services, sending large bodies to the lab for examination may not always be feasible. Field necropsies can be used as a tool to provide valuable information about an individual animal and herd health. Correctly and thoroughly collecting specimens in the field may increase the overall…
Livestock export testing safeguards human and animal health internationally. Testing helps mitigate the spread of diseases and ensures international commerce is sustainable. The Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, TVMDL, is the only laboratory in Texas authorized to perform testing that meets United States Department of Agriculture, USDA, and international requirements. “The goal of export…
One afternoon in the Polish countryside a family and their plow-horse, Kasztan, were strolling along a quiet road. Six-year-old Julie Anna Prusak sat in front of her five-year-old cousin Szczepan, Polish for Stephen, as they rode on the horse’s bare back. With Prusak’s uncle Tadek holding the lead rope, the children were enjoying the ride…
The Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, TVMDL, is the only laboratory in Texas authorized by the United States Department of Agriculture to perform testing for Chronic Wasting Disease, CWD. As such, it is critical samples are submitted properly to mitigate potential testing delays. TVMDL recommends these three best practices to keep in mind when…
The crisp, autumn air settles in after a long and hot Texas summer, but lurking beneath the excitement is the shadowy threat of the canine infectious respiratory disease complex, otherwise known as kennel cough. Cooler temperatures mean an increase in outbreaks as dogs spend more time indoors in close quarters and their immune systems weaken.…
Nitrate toxicity occurs when animals consume food or water that contains high levels of nitrates. In the rumen, nitrates are converted into a smaller compound called nitrites, which are then absorbed into the bloodstream. Ruminants are particularly susceptible because of their consistent grazing habits. Alexis Thompson, DVM, Ph.D., DACVPM, is the resident director at the…
Armed with giant hacksaws and cheerful attitudes, the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory’s, TVMDL, necropsy team in College Station is devoted to positively impacting human and animal health one dissection at a time. The team is made up of two veterinary technicians, a lab supervisor, and a student worker. Each day, the team can…
The Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) works alongside the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) to provide testing services in accordance to state regulations. Due to the increased volume of regulatory testing this time of year, incomplete submissions can be significantly delayed. Here are some best practices that aid in the quick accessioning of…
Diagnostic testing can answer a lot of questions. However incomplete, missing, or vague submission paperwork only leads to more questions, rather than answers. As soon as samples arrive at TVMDL, receiving staff immediately start the accessioning process to ensure testing can begin as soon as possible. Part of the accessioning process is manually reviewing and…
Mycoplasma bacteria can cause a variety of symptoms in many of our animal species. These bacteria are unique because they lack a cell wall, making them challenging to detect and treat. The Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) commonly detects infections in dogs, cats, and livestock. One of the most common signs of mycoplasma…