TVMDL

  • The chilling threat of kennel cough

    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.…

  • Avoid nitrate toxicity with routine testing  

    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…

  • Therapeutic drug monitoring in dogs and cats

    Therapeutic drugs can significantly improve the quality of life in animals with painful or long-term illnesses. However, it’s critical to monitor the level of medication in an animal’s body to ensure the dosage is safe and effective. The bodily response to therapeutic drugs is particularly important to monitor in pets with chronic conditions, such as…

  • More is not always better – Frequent deworming could “stirrup” trouble for equine owners

    Gastrointestinal, GI, parasites bring serious concern to equine health. Among the various types of parasites includes the most common nematodes from the Strongylidae family. In the last two years, the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, TVMDL, has detected parasites in approximately 49% of equine fecal samples submitted for parasitology testing. Of this group, 45%…

  • Thompson named Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory Canyon resident director

    The Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, TVMDL, has named Alexis Thompson, DVM, Ph.D., DACVPM, as resident director at the Charles W. “Doc” Graham ‘53 DVM laboratory in Canyon. She will begin her new role Sept. 1. As resident director, Thompson will oversee all aspects of the lab’s testing efforts, which contribute over 111,000 tests…

  • Check all the boxes: Best practices for expediting regulatory sample submissions

    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…

  • Paperwork: The more information, the better

    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…

  • The good, the bad, and the ugly: How to properly package samples for shipment to TVMDL

    A sample’s journey from the clinic to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) is unpredictable. Once a package enters the mail system, it’s likely to get tossed, turned, and bumped until it arrives at the laboratory. Knowing this, it’s imperative clients take steps to properly package samples to ensure they arrive safely and…

  • Diagnostic guidance: Mycoplasma testing options

    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…

  • Epidemiology of systemic mycoses in Texas

    The Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) assists Texas veterinarians in diagnosing an average of over 350 cases of systemic fungal infection each year. To do so, TVMDL offers serologic testing specific for Aspergillus, Blastomyces, Coccidioides, Cryptococcus, and Histoplasma. Additionally, these fungal pathogens may be cultured, or found via microscopic examination of blood smears,…