Segmental analysis of hair for drug detection in racing horses Travis Mays, MS, PhD The Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory’s (TVMDL) drug testing laboratory offers a screen for the detection of beta-adrenergic agonist drugs, … [Read more...] about Segmental analysis of hair for drug detection in racing horses
TVMDL
Malignant Catarrhal Fever in a 1-year-old heifer
Malignant Catarrhal Fever in a 1-year-old heifer By R. Gayman Helman, DVM, PhD, Guy Sheppard, DVM, and Meagan Schroeder, PhD A 1-year-old heifer became weak and isolated herself. Three days later, the heifer was examined by the submitting … [Read more...] about Malignant Catarrhal Fever in a 1-year-old heifer
Diagnostic guidance: Cantharidin poisoning in horses
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
Calcinosis Circumscripta
Calcinosis Circumscripta Judith Akins, DVM, MS Slides from an aspirate of a mass on the left elbow of a two-year-old, intact male German Shepherd dog were submitted to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) for … [Read more...] about Calcinosis Circumscripta
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?
Necropsy of rare bovine conjoined twins
Necropsy of rare bovine conjoined twins By Erin Edwards, DVM, MS, DACVP and Gaya Balamayooran, DVM, PhD, DACVP Recently, bovine conjoined twin calves were submitted to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL). Both the … [Read more...] about Necropsy of rare bovine conjoined twins
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
Prepare your horses for spring: Vaccinate for West Nile virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus
Last year, the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL), documented fewer cases of West Nile virus than in previous years. The number of positive cases of West Nile virus in horses seen at TVMDL fluctuates from year to year, … [Read more...] about Prepare your horses for spring: Vaccinate for West Nile virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus
Drug screen for beta-agonists in hair and wool for livestock species added to TVMDL test catalog
The Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) is pleased to announce the addition of a drug screen for beta-agonists in hair and wool for livestock species. Similar to retinal tissue, hair and wool have been shown to retain … [Read more...] about Drug screen for beta-agonists in hair and wool for livestock species added to TVMDL test catalog
Neospora caninum Abortion in Cattle
Neospora caninum Abortion in Cattle Guy Sheppard, DVM Neospora caninum is a protozoal organism that is associated with abortion in cattle and the birth of weak calves. Dogs are the definitive hosts for this organism, and the organism is spread … [Read more...] about Neospora caninum Abortion in Cattle
Rabies in a Sheep
Rabies in a Sheep R. G Helman DVM, PhD DACVP An 8-month-old male sheep was purchased out of state at the end of September. The animal was clinically normal until November 1 when it was noted to be having a seizure. The animal could not stand or … [Read more...] about Rabies in a Sheep
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
Histopathologic Diagnosis of Feline Herpesvirus
Histopathologic Diagnosis of Feline Herpesvirus Erin Edwards, DVM, MS, DACVP and Jay Hoffman, DVM, PhD, DACVP Feline herpesvirus is a highly transmissible, viral disease that is very common in cats. This disease is also known as feline viral … [Read more...] about Histopathologic Diagnosis of Feline Herpesvirus
Possible Wilted Maple Poisoning in Mare
Possible Wilted Maple Poisoning in Mare Cat Barr, PhD, DABT A 7-year-old pastured mare suffered an acute onset of hemolytic anemia and hematuria. The blood drawn for analysis was hemolyzed and dark. The mare died about three hours after … [Read more...] about Possible Wilted Maple Poisoning in Mare
Canine Coccidiosis
Canine Coccidiosis Jai Guha, Mindy Borst, LVT, and Julie Piccione, DVM, MS, DACVP An 11-year-old Corgi mix was presented to the veterinarian with intermittent diarrhea and inappetence. History noted the dog had clinical signs of gastrointestinal … [Read more...] about Canine Coccidiosis
“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
Drug Testing During the Fall Livestock Show Season
Drug Testing During the Fall Livestock Show Season Travis Mays, MS, PhD Between the months of August to December, the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) performs drug testing on more than 1,000 urine, blood, fecal, and … [Read more...] about Drug Testing During the Fall Livestock Show Season
Ehrlichia canis discovered in dog
Ehrlichia canis discovered in dog Julie Piccione, DVM, MS, DACVP, Pam Ferro, MS, PhD, and Megan Schroeder, PhD A 7-year-old, neutered Labrador Retriever was presented to their veterinarian for acute onset of lethargy, inappetence, and epistaxis. … [Read more...] about Ehrlichia canis discovered in dog
Contagious Ecthyma Diagnosed in a Young Goat
Contagious Ecthyma Diagnosed in a Young Goat Erin Edwards, DVM, MS, DACVP, Andrés de la Concha-Bermejillo, DVM, PhD, Pam Ferro, MS, PhD The body of a 3-month-old goat was submitted to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory … [Read more...] about Contagious Ecthyma Diagnosed in a Young Goat
Bovine Abortion Caused by Leptospira spp.
Bovine Abortion Caused by Leptospira spp. Guy Sheppard, DVM, Gabriel Gomez, DVM, PhD, Pam Ferro, MS, PhD, and Megan Schroeder, PhD Tissue from a cross-bred bovine fetus in the third trimester of gestation was submitted to the Texas A&M … [Read more...] about Bovine Abortion Caused by Leptospira spp.
Coccidiosis in Broiler Breeders
Coccidiosis in Broiler Breeders By Gabriel Senties-Cue, MVZ, EPAA, MS, TVMDL Center Resident Director Severe coccidiosis was diagnosed in a 22-week-old, broiler breeder flock. Three dead birds were submitted to the Texas A&M Veterinary … [Read more...] about Coccidiosis in Broiler Breeders
Diagnosing Feline Heartworms
Diagnosing Feline Heartworms By Melanie T. Landis, DVM, MBA, TVMDL Microbiology Veterinary Diagnostician We are all familiar with the saying that “cats are not small dogs”. This is true when it comes to feline heartworm disease. While dogs are … [Read more...] about Diagnosing Feline Heartworms
Possible Eprinomectin toxicity in a calf
Possible Eprinomectin toxicity in a calf Travis May, MS, PhD A two-month-old, 150-pound, Brahman-cross heifer calf was observed with neurologic signs following application of what was believed to be a permethrin-based insecticide. The calf died … [Read more...] about Possible Eprinomectin toxicity in a calf
Atypical Mycobacteriosis in a Cat
Atypical Mycobacteriosis in a Cat Erin Edwards, DVM, MS, DACVP Skin samples from a 9-year-old Siamese cat were submitted to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) in College Station. This cat was reported to clinically … [Read more...] about Atypical Mycobacteriosis in a Cat
Mammary sarcoma diagnosed in a Chihuahua
Mammary sarcoma diagnosed in a Chihuahua Gabriel Gomez DVM, PhD and Cheryl Maguire, DVM A nine-year-old, intact female, Chihuahua dog presented to their veterinarian for a solitary mass on the caudal most left mammary gland. The mass was excised … [Read more...] about Mammary sarcoma diagnosed in a Chihuahua