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toxicology

TVMDL adds three heavy metal panels to test catalog

March 22, 2023 by Mallory Pfeifer

hand scooping up animal feed from gray bucket

The Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) has added three panel options for clients interested in testing for heavy metals. Previously, TVMDL offered one heavy metal panel for avian, mammalian, and non-animal samples. … [Read more...] about TVMDL adds three heavy metal panels to test catalog

Filed Under: News, Test Catalog Updates Tagged With: analytical chemistry, Avian, feed, heavy metal, mammalian, toxicology

TVMDL to discontinue cyanide and nitrate testing for hay and forage samples

December 1, 2022 by Mallory Pfeifer

Straw bales on farmland with blue cloudy sky

Due to a decrease in requests, the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) will soon discontinue nitrate and cyanide (prussic acid) testing for hay and forage samples. Starting immediately, TVMDL will no longer accept hay … [Read more...] about TVMDL to discontinue cyanide and nitrate testing for hay and forage samples

Filed Under: News, Test Catalog Updates Tagged With: analytical chemistry, forage, hay, plants, toxicology

March 20-26: National Animal Poison Prevention Week

March 21, 2022 by Mallory Pfeifer

Little white maltese dog and food ingredients toxic to him

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

Filed Under: DX Guidance, News Tagged With: analytical chemistry, poison prevention, toxic, toxicology

Possible chocolate poisoning in a dog

February 24, 2022 by smorris

brown dog with pointy ears walking in snow

Possible chocolate poisoning in a dog Travis Mays, MS, PhD The TVMDL received a full set of fresh and fixed tissue samples and stomach content from a four-year-old Belgian Tervuren for testing. The dog appeared normal in the morning, running … [Read more...] about Possible chocolate poisoning in a dog

Filed Under: Case Study Tagged With: analytical chemistry, canine, toxicology

TVMDL retires Ammonia (Distilation)

December 29, 2021 by Mallory Pfeifer

woman with brown hair and safety glasses pouring liquid into tube in laboratory

Starting December 30, the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) will no longer offer Ammonia (Distilation). Requests for this test have remained consistently low the past two years. As an alternative, clients interested in … [Read more...] about TVMDL retires Ammonia (Distilation)

Filed Under: News, Test Catalog Updates Tagged With: analytical chemistry, bovine, caprine, cervid, ovine, toxicology, TVMDL

Pet owners should be vigilant of potentially toxic sources during the holidays

December 20, 2021 by Mallory Pfeifer

Cat and Dog eating and drinking Santa's cookies and milk.

Each year the holidays bring together family, friends, and food. Spending time with others is a special part of the season. The Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) encourages pet owners to remain vigilant during … [Read more...] about Pet owners should be vigilant of potentially toxic sources during the holidays

Filed Under: DX Guidance, News Tagged With: analytical chemistry, holidays, pet, toxicology

Test for aflatoxin added to TVMDL catalog

October 27, 2021 by Mallory Pfeifer

Bowls with dry pet food on floor

The Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) is pleased to announce the addition of Aflatoxin (Immunoaffinity-Fluorometry). This new offering aims to detect aflatoxins in livestock feed or pet food. Aflatoxin is produced by … [Read more...] about Test for aflatoxin added to TVMDL catalog

Filed Under: News, Test Catalog Updates Tagged With: analytical chemistry, livestock feed, pet food, toxicology, toxins

Sample instructions to improve vitamin and trace mineral test results

August 11, 2021 by Mallory Pfeifer

blue gloved hands holding blood tube with blue top

Sample instructions to improve vitamin and trace mineral test results Cat Barr, PhD, DABT The Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) has recently updated the sample requirements for Vitamins A and E in serum and for Trace … [Read more...] about Sample instructions to improve vitamin and trace mineral test results

Filed Under: Disease Updates, News Tagged With: analytical chemistry, blood, college station, metal, mineral, toxicology, TVMDL

Strychnine detected in a puppy

June 21, 2021 by Mallory Pfeifer

Strychnine detected in a puppy Travis Mays, MS, DVM The Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory received stomach content, fresh kidney, and serum from a two-month old mixed breed puppy for testing. The owner found the puppy … [Read more...] about Strychnine detected in a puppy

Filed Under: Case Study Tagged With: analytical chemistry, canine, dog, toxicology, TVMDL

Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Lab on the front lines of pet food recalls

March 30, 2021 by Mallory Pfeifer

white bowl full of brown pet food

This story originally appeared in AgriLife Today and was written by Kay Ledbetter. When small-animal veterinarians have questions or problems, they often turn to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, TVMDL, due to the … [Read more...] about Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Lab on the front lines of pet food recalls

Filed Under: News Tagged With: analytical chemistry, canine, college station, companion animals, feline, pets, toxicology, TVMDL, vet-lirn

TVMDL upgrades strychnine test; Testing now offered for serum samples

March 29, 2021 by Mallory Pfeifer

Woman with brown hair and white lab coat standing in front out glass containers with clear liquid

The Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory’s (TVMDL) analytical chemistry section recently upgraded its strychnine test. Changes made include detection of strychnine using LC/MS instead of HPLC and detection of strychnine in … [Read more...] about TVMDL upgrades strychnine test; Testing now offered for serum samples

Filed Under: News, Test Catalog Updates Tagged With: analytical chemistry, bovine, canine, drug testing, equine, feline, toxicology

Review the range: Cattle and horse owners encouraged to be aware of potentially toxic plants

February 2, 2021 by Mallory Pfeifer

Small purpose flower on a green steam in front of green grass.

Spring is getting closer and summer is not far behind. As the seasons change, it’s important to be aware of the different plants that have grown or been added to your surroundings and their potential toxic effects on cattle and horses. What are … [Read more...] about Review the range: Cattle and horse owners encouraged to be aware of potentially toxic plants

Filed Under: DX Guidance, News Tagged With: analytical chemistry, bovine, cattle, cow, equine, horse, toxic plants, toxicology, toxicosis

Zinc contamination in serum samples

December 7, 2020 by Mallory Pfeifer

Ten test tubes with colored tops

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

Filed Under: Case Study Tagged With: analytical chemistry, college station, minerals, serum, toxic, toxicology, TVMDL

Beetles found in alfalfa hay

September 7, 2020 by Mallory Pfeifer

Four dead blister beetles on white background

Beetles Found in Alfalfa Hay Travis Mays, MS, PhD Beetles found in a new batch of alfalfa hay were submitted to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) for identification. TVMDL’s toxicology section can identify toxic … [Read more...] about Beetles found in alfalfa hay

Filed Under: Case Study Tagged With: analytical chemistry, beetles, college station, equine, horses, toxicology, TVMDL

Pyrrolizidine Alkaloid Toxicity in a mature brangus cow

August 28, 2020 by Mallory Pfeifer

Black brangus cow standing in green grass

Pyrrolizidine Alkaloid Toxicity in a mature brangus cow David A. Sher, B.S, Catherine Barr, PhD, Dipl ABT, Gabriel Gomez, DVM, PhD, Dipl ACVP An adult, female, 800 lb., Brangus cow in poor body condition was submitted to the Texas A&M … [Read more...] about Pyrrolizidine Alkaloid Toxicity in a mature brangus cow

Filed Under: Case Study Tagged With: bovine, cattle, cow, histopathology, pathology, toxicology

Gopher bait with anticoagulant detected in horses

August 3, 2020 by Mallory Pfeifer

Four brown horses standing at silver gate

Gopher bait with anticoagulant detected in horses Guy Sheppard, DVM and Cat Barr, PhD, DABT The Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) was contacted by a client who was concerned a group of horses had potentially consumed … [Read more...] about Gopher bait with anticoagulant detected in horses

Filed Under: Case Study Tagged With: analytical chemistry, college station, equine, horse, toxicology, TVMDL

TVMDL group authors article for Texas Equine Veterinary Association

July 21, 2020 by Mallory Pfeifer

Veterinary great performing a scan to a young mare

A group of veterinarians and scientists from the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory's (TVMDL) College Station laboratory recently authored an article for the Texas Equine Veterinary Association's (TEVA) publication, The Remuda. … [Read more...] about TVMDL group authors article for Texas Equine Veterinary Association

Filed Under: News, Research & Publications Tagged With: analytical chemistry, bacteriology, clinical pathology, equine, histopathology, horse, microbiology, Molecular Diagnostics, necropsy, pathology, serology, toxicology, TVMDL, veterinary diagnostics, Virology

Arsenic toxicosis in two calves

July 20, 2020 by Mallory Pfeifer

Cows who were weaned from their calves three days ago.

Arsenic toxicosis in two calves By Randi Gold, VMD, PhD, DACVP and Cat Barr, PhD, DABT Two hundred and forty straight stocker cattle were on a wheat and grass pasture with access to old barns filled with moldy hay, chemicals, fertilizers, and … [Read more...] about Arsenic toxicosis in two calves

Filed Under: Case Study Tagged With: analytical chemistry, bovine, calves, college station, histopathology, pathology, toxicology, TVMDL

Pentobarbital in a Turkey Vulture

July 13, 2020 by Mallory Pfeifer

A turkey vulture (Cathartes aura), also know as a turkey buzzard, sits perched in a tree in the hills of Monterey in central California.

Pentobarbital in a Turkey Vulture Travis Mays, MS, PhD Twenty turkey vultures were found dead near the vicinity of a horse that was euthanized. One of the turkey vultures was submitted to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory … [Read more...] about Pentobarbital in a Turkey Vulture

Filed Under: Case Study Tagged With: analytical chemistry, Avian, bird, college station, toxicology, TVMDL, vulture

Diagnostic Guidance: Keeping cattle hydrated and healthy

June 16, 2020 by Mallory Pfeifer

White cow on a drought pasture of a farm. Countryside during a drought. Cow on right.

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

Filed Under: News Tagged With: analytical chemistry, bovine, cattle, college station, toxic, toxicology, toxicosis, TVMDL, water

Something’s wrong with my pet’s food!

May 18, 2020 by Mallory Pfeifer

Dog or Cat dry food in stainless steel bowl isolated on white - pets bowl. 3d illustration.

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!

Filed Under: News Tagged With: analytical chemistry, toxic, toxicology, TVMDL, vet-lirn

Quantitating Cantharidin levels in a blister beetle

May 6, 2020 by Mallory Pfeifer

Three pictures of three-stripped blister beetles

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

Filed Under: Case Study Tagged With: analytical chemistry, blister beetle, college station, equine, horse, horses, insect, toxic, toxicology, TVMDL

Suspected Anticoagulant Bait Confirmed to be Bromethalin

April 20, 2020 by Mallory Pfeifer

vet in black gloves holds a kitten in his hands. close up, pet

Suspected Anticoagulant Bait Confirmed to be Bromethalin Amy Phillips, Analytical Chemistry Technician and Travis Mays, MS, PhD, Analytical Chemistry Section Head A male kitten was rescued by animal control and taken to a veterinary clinic for … [Read more...] about Suspected Anticoagulant Bait Confirmed to be Bromethalin

Filed Under: Case Study Tagged With: analytical chemistry, cat, college station, feline, toxicology, TVMDL

Cyanobacteria: No winter break this year

March 30, 2020 by Mallory Pfeifer

The dog is bathed in the clear water of the pond

Cyanobacteria: No winter break this year By Cat Barr, PhD, DABT Blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) have barely taken a break this winter. The Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) has already had several positive samples … [Read more...] about Cyanobacteria: No winter break this year

Filed Under: Case Study Tagged With: analytical chemistry, blue-green algae, canine, college station, dogs, spring, summer, toxicology

Diagnostic guidance: Cantharidin poisoning in horses

March 12, 2020 by Mallory Pfeifer

Four brown horses with black manes eating green grass

When horses ingest the cantharidin toxin through hay or alfalfa contaminated with “blister” beetles, the outcome is often fatal. Toxicosis occurs rapidly; as little as four grams of dried beetles may contain fatal levels of … [Read more...] about Diagnostic guidance: Cantharidin poisoning in horses

Filed Under: DX Guidance, News Tagged With: analytical chemistry, college station, equine, horses, spring, summer, toxicology, TVMDL

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Latest News

  • Mitigating the threat of zoonosis during sample shipment to TVMDL June 5, 2023
  • Dimitrov authors chapters in Merck Veterinary Manual over Newcastle disease May 30, 2023
  • The passing of Dr. John Reagor, Veterinary Toxicologist Emeritus April 21, 2023
  • Too much (or too little) of a good thing: thyroid disease testing at TVMDL March 22, 2023
  • TVMDL adds three heavy metal panels to test catalog March 22, 2023
  • Arnold contributes to evaluation of Salmonella prevalence in feeder cattle March 16, 2023

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