The Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, TVMDL, receives several inquiries related to bone biopsies. Randi Gold, VMD, PhD, DACVP, an anatomic pathologist for TVMDL, provides thorough explanations for six questions related to bone biopsies. Properly performed, bone biopsies offer valuable insights. The following questions will help broaden your understanding of this diagnostic tool: How…
As the lead author of a recent journal publication, Erin Edwards, DVM, MS, DACVP, an anatomic pathologist at the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, TVMDL, documented a cluster of cases involving ethmoid tumors in white-tailed deer, WTD. In collaboration with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and other TVMDL staff, Edwards provides the first…
On August 18, Sai Narayanan, BVSc & AH, MVSc, PhD, PGDZ, joined the College Station laboratory at a veterinary pathologist. Narayanan is a three-time graduate of Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University in Chennai, India. In 2014, he earned a Bachelor of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, an equivalent to a Doctor of Veterinary…
In a collaborative case study, Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, TVMDL, pathologist, Josué Díaz-Delgado, DVM, MS, PhD, DACVP, brought attention to the link between vertebral column diseases in herbivorous marine mammals with life in captivity. The study suggests that prolonged confinement likely led to vertebral column deviations, namely scoliosis and kyphosis, in a 52-year-old…
Most livestock species have thicker skin than humans, but it’s still vulnerable to harsh summer conditions. Sun exposure, bacterial infections and increased activity of parasite-carrying insects can all take a toll on livestock skin. Each year, the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, TVMDL, receives samples that reveal how sweltering summers affect livestock health. It’s…
Digital pathology has enhanced the field of veterinary medicine. Specifically in diagnostic settings, digital components have increased accuracy, efficiency, and accessibility for both clients and diagnosticians. Julie Piccione, DVM, MS, DACVP, assistant agency director for clinical pathology at the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, TVMDL, was recently invited by Veterinary Pathology, a leading publication…
The detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza, HPAI, subtype H5N1 in dairy cattle was confirmed in March 2024 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, USDA. This finding was the first of its kind and shocked the global scientific community. The official confirmation came on the heels of testing performed at the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical…
Extended daylight in the spring signals the start of the equine breeding season. Sunlight stimulates the release of hormones that influence ovarian activity. Before breeding mares, it is crucial to conduct a comprehensive reproductive evaluation. A complete breeding soundness examination includes an overview of the overall health of the mare, a physical evaluation of the…
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…
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…