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)
Gonzales
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
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
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
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
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
Infectious Coryza in Chickens
Infectious Coryza in Chickens Martin Ficken, DVM, PhD Six 16-week-old male chickens from a flock of 500 birds were presented for necropsy at the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) in Gonzales. History noted one-week of … [Read more...] about Infectious Coryza in Chickens
“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
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
Fowl Cholera in Chukar Partridges
Fowl Cholera in Chukar Partridges Martin Ficken, DVM, PhD Twelve dead adult Chukar partridges were submitted to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) in Gonzales for necropsy. History noted an increase in spontaneous … [Read more...] about Fowl Cholera in Chukar Partridges
Mycoplasmosis in Backyard Chicken Flocks
Mycoplasmosis in Backyard Chicken Flocks Martin Ficken, DVM, PhD Mycoplasmosis, caused by Mycoplasma gallisepticumand/or M. synoviae, is a group of bacterial diseases that are common maladies of backyard chicken flocks. Mycoplasma … [Read more...] about Mycoplasmosis in Backyard Chicken Flocks
Chronic lead exposure in flock of backyard chickens
Chronic lead exposure in flock of backyard chickens By Martin Ficken, DVM, PhD The Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) in Gonzales received a phone call concerning a decrease in production and poor performance of a … [Read more...] about Chronic lead exposure in flock of backyard chickens
Gangrenous Dermatitis diagnosed in Bobwhite quail
Gangrenous Dermatitis diagnosed in Bobwhite quail By Martin Ficken, DVM, PhD Seven dead, 16-week-old bobwhite quail were presented to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) in Gonzales for necropsy. The history … [Read more...] about Gangrenous Dermatitis diagnosed in Bobwhite quail
Ulcerative Enteritis discovered in bobwhite quail
Ulcerative Enteritis discovered in bobwhite quail By Martin Ficken, DVM, PhD Three dead and eight live 17-week-old bobwhite quail were presented to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) in Gonzales for necropsy with … [Read more...] about Ulcerative Enteritis discovered in bobwhite quail
Aspergillosis diagnosed in 5-month-old chicken
Aspergillosis diagnosed in 5-month-old chicken By Martin Ficken, DVM, PhD A 5-month-old female chicken with a history of dyspnea was presented to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) in Gonzales for necropsy. Duration … [Read more...] about Aspergillosis diagnosed in 5-month-old chicken
Sticktight fleas, body lice discovered in 30-week-old laying chickens
Sticktight fleas, body lice discovered in 30-week-old laying chickens By Martin Ficken, DVM, PhD Recently, five live 30-week-old laying chickens were presented to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) in Gonzales for … [Read more...] about Sticktight fleas, body lice discovered in 30-week-old laying chickens
Lymphoid leukosis discovered in Legbar chicken
Lymphoid leukosis discovered in Legbar chicken By Martin Ficken, DVM, PhD Recently, one dead, female, Cream Legbar chicken was presented to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) in Gonzales for necropsy. The bird had … [Read more...] about Lymphoid leukosis discovered in Legbar chicken
Lead poisoning in guinea fowl
Lead poisoning in guinea fowl By Martin Ficken, DVM, PhD One live male guinea fowl was presented to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) for necropsy. History noted the bird was bright and alert, but moved very … [Read more...] about Lead poisoning in guinea fowl
Threadworms found in Chukar partridges
Threadworms found in Chukar partridges By Martin Ficken, DVM, PhD, Gonzales Resident Director With over 800,000 tests run annually, TVMDL encounters many challenging cases. Our case study series will highlight these interesting cases to increase … [Read more...] about Threadworms found in Chukar partridges