Each year, National Animal Poison Prevention Week is observed the third week of March. This week is used to demonstrate safety practices and mitigation strategies to prevent pets from accidentally being exposed to potentially toxic sources. Although … [Read more...] about March 20-26: National Animal Poison Prevention Week
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Polytetrafluoroethylene Toxicosis (TeflonTM Toxicity)
Polytetrafluoroethylene Toxicosis (TeflonTM Toxicity) Martin Ficken, DVM, PhD, ACPV The non-stick coating polytetrafluoroethylene (TeflonTM) on cookware, light bulbs, and ovens releases fluorinated gases upon overheating. This is particularly … [Read more...] about Polytetrafluoroethylene Toxicosis (TeflonTM Toxicity)
Zinc contamination in serum samples
Zinc contamination in serum samples Cat Barr, PhD, DABT Recently, the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory’s (TVMDL) analytical chemistry section performed zinc testing on a small set of paired samples. Prior to testing, blood … [Read more...] about Zinc contamination in serum samples
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
Something’s wrong with my pet’s food!
Something's wrong with my pet's food! By Cat Barr, PhD, DABT As a veterinarian, how often do your clients think "Rascal's" food is what caused him to be sick? What do you tell them? Do they report this instance of possible food … [Read more...] about Something’s wrong with my pet’s food!
Quantitating Cantharidin levels in a blister beetle
Quantitating Cantharidin levels in a blister beetle By Cat Barr, PhD, DABT In January, an animal owner in northwestern Washington State contacted the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) regarding possible blister … [Read more...] about Quantitating Cantharidin levels in a blister beetle
Dogs will eat anything, won’t they?
Dogs will eat anything, won’t they? Cat Barr, PhD, DABT Four dogs were brought to a veterinary clinic when one had been seizing for several hours and the other three had begun to tremble. All four dogs had reportedly been running loose in a rural … [Read more...] about Dogs will eat anything, won’t they?
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...] about Sodium Ion Toxicosis in Cattle
ELISA Screening Detects Fumonisin in Corn
ELISA Screening Detects Fumonisin in Corn Travis Mays, Analytical Chemistry Section Head A 3-year-old, male Quarter horse became ataxic and kept falling over, eventually being unable to rise. The horse ultimately had to be euthanized. The onset … [Read more...] about ELISA Screening Detects Fumonisin in Corn
Copper Toxicity in Show Animals
Copper Toxicity in Show Animals Guy Sheppard, DVM In reflecting upon yet another major livestock show season in Texas, it is important to keep in mind the possibility of copper toxicity, particularly in sheep and goats. Sheep are particularly … [Read more...] about Copper Toxicity in Show Animals
Salt Toxicity in Broilers
Salt Toxicity in Broilers By Gabriel Senties-Cue, MS, MVZ, DACPV Salt toxicity was recently diagnosed in a 17-day-old, meat type chicken flock. Twelve birds were submitted to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) in … [Read more...] about Salt Toxicity in Broilers
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
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...] about Coffee senna linked to cattle deaths in Texas
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...] about Chlorinated hydrocarbon and arsenic poisoning in cattle