Although the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) strives to process and test all samples quickly, delays occur when samples arrive at the lab in less than ideal conditions. Here are some practices to help mitigate potential delays when submitting samples for antemortem CWD testing. Paperwork All antemortem CWD samples should have a thoroughly […]

The Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) is committed to assisting the Texas deer industry. To expedite submissions and ensure accurate reports, clients should consider the following practices prior to submitting samples for testing. Samples submitted in less than ideal condition may result in delays. Not Ideal Tissue is not flat. Folded tissues increase […]

A forensic or legal necropsy as defined by the purposes of the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) is a necropsy done to attempt to determine the cause of death in cases where the death is known or suspected to be non-natural, there are suspicious circumstances, or there is evidence of foul play. They […]

Click to Skip: Autolysis | Cautery Artifact | Freezing Artifact | Crush Artifact | Sponge Artifact Pathologic artifacts are any structures or features that are not normally present in the living animal. Some are minor, easy to distinguish from normal or diseased tissue, and/or do not interfere with the pathologists’ ability to provide an accurate […]

A male-castrated, crossbred steer was noted to have a severe and locally extensive skin disease involving the perineal and inguinal areas with other scattered individual nodular skin masses on other portions of the body (Figure 1). The animal was otherwise healthy and displayed no discomfort from the skin lesions. Fresh and fixed skin lesions were […]

The body of a 3-month-old goat was submitted to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) in College Station. This goat had been purchased 3 weeks prior. The goat was euthanized due to sudden onset of neurological signs and was also noted to have a crusty lesion on the lip. Gross necropsy confirmed there […]

A haired skin specimen from a white-tailed deer of unknown age was submitted to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) for microscopic examination. The tissue was from a deer that had multiple cutaneous, firm, tan nodules. Microscopically, these tan nodules correlated with markedly dilated hair follicles that contained a large number of cross […]

Click to Skip Tips for Collecting Needle and Core Bone Biopsy | Tips for Submitting and Entire Leg | Clinical History Submitting samples of bone for histopathological analysis is essential to definitively diagnose most primary bone diseases (e.g., osteosarcoma). However, collecting representative bone biopsy specimens and their histopathological interpretations presents several challenges for the clinician […]

A 76 gram, 9-year-old female knight anole (Anolis equestris) lizard from a zoological collection was euthanized due to poor prognosis after recurrence of a skin neoplasm on the lateral body that was incompletely excised 9 months prior. The neoplasm extended to the head at the time of euthanasia. A mixed chromatophoroma was diagnosed histologically at […]

Dermatology cases are one of the most common types of cases seen by general practitioners. A crucial diagnostic tool in these cases is the skin biopsy. They are indicated in cases that do not respond to normal therapy, pustular, or ulcerative disease, and suspected neoplasia.  Before Taking a Skin Biopsy Prior treatment should also be […]

Diagnosing animal diseases frequently requires a veterinarian or a technician to collect specimens in the field. This can be difficult without having the right tools on hand. For these occasions, the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory suggests assembling a necropsy field kit. The kit should include the following tools and materials, all of which […]

Evaluation of increased liver enzyme activity or poor liver function tests can be a daunting task due to the variety of etiologies that can cause liver disease in small animals. Collection of fine needle aspirates for cytologic evaluation or larger tissue samples for histologic examination are often indicated for diagnosis. Several important guidelines should be […]

TVMDL received skin biopsy samples from several bearded dragon lizards with a patchy dermatitis that grossly presents as discolored skin with a crusty surface.  Microscopic evaluation showed marked hyperkeratosis and mixed leukocytic infiltrates in the upper dermis (Figure 1).  A PAS stain revealed the presence of fungal hyphal elements in the thick surface layer of […]

Besnoitia spp. are protozoal parasites that form tissue cysts in intermediate hosts. Besnoitiosis caused by B. darlingi is well described in Virginia opossums (Didelphis virginiana), and cats serve as the definitive host. In opossums, B. darlingi infection can typically be identified externally by the presence of cutaneous, 2-4 mm, round to ovoid, smooth, white nodules. The pinnae and mucous membranes […]

Chordomas are among the most common diagnoses in ferret biopsy samples submitted to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL). This article highlights a recent case of a ferret chordoma that was diagnosed at our laboratory. The tumor was located at the tip of the tail of a 3-year-old ferret. The tail tip was […]

Tissues from a 5-month-old gerenuk, also known as a giraffe gazelle, were submitted to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) in Canyon for evaluation. The calf had a history of loose stool in addition to an abscess from a previous surgery. The stool remained loose despite dietary changes, oral albendazole, injectable ivermectin, ceftiofur, […]

A variety of fresh and fixed tissues, including lung, liver, kidney, spleen, and mesenteric lymph nodes, from a 7-year-old, 300 lb. llama were submitted to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) for histopathological examination, bacterial culture, and sensitivity testing. Routine bacterial cultures were attempted from the lymph node and lung samples on blood […]

An eight-month-old veiled chameleon exhibited white, patchy, crusty skin lesions on the dorsal crest above the hind legs (Fig. 1). A skin biopsy specimen was submitted to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) for histopathology and a swab and skin crust samples were submitted for routine bacterial and fungal culture. The swab sample […]

Four kangaroos from the same small herd were submitted to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) in College Station for necropsy and were diagnosed with toxoplasmosis. Most of these kangaroos were found dead without exhibiting any prior signs of illness. One was reported to have labored breathing shortly before death. At necropsy, three […]

An adult black tailed Cribo (Drymarchon melanurus), a snake native to Central and South America, was presented for necropsy at the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) for chronic regurgitation.  Upon necropsy examination, the stomach was markedly thickened with prominent rugal folds. The remainder of the visceral organs appeared within normal limits.  Histologically, the […]

Two alligator hatchlings were presented for necropsy to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) from an alligator farm.  The alligator farmer noticed animals in one of his pens had started developing milky looking skin lesions over the beak and the back. The lesions would progress, the animals would stop eating and then ultimately […]

A rabbit breeding colony experienced multiple sudden deaths in a barn that typically had few death losses.  The rabbits were noted grossly to have hemorrhage in the cecum and colon.  Tissues from a 20-month-old female Flemish Giant rabbit were submitted for histopathology and bacterial culture.  Histologically the rabbit had a marked, diffuse necrotizing and hemorrhagic […]

Tissue samples from two ear masses on a 3-year-old American Quarter Horse were submitted to the Texas A&M Veterinary Diagnostic Lab (TVMDL) in College Station for histopathology and culture. Masses from both ears were histologically similar, consisting of severe, chronic, pyogranulomatous dermatitis. There was formation of discrete pyogranulomas with central aggregates of Splendore-Hoeppli material and […]

Punch biopsies of an ulcerated plaque in the nasal mucosa of a male-castrated, 12-year-old, Quarter horse were submitted to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) in 10% buffered formalin for histopathologic examination. History noted that the ulcerated plaque was a squamous cell carcinoma or an infection. Histologically, there was no evidence of neoplasia […]

A two-year-old, male, intact miniature donkey had a wound on the mandible that was associated with a large firm mass. Radiographs of the lesion showed large osseous spicules emanating from the parent bone. Additionally, the submitting veterinarian commented that the mass continued to grow.  A superficial edge biopsy from the surface and a deeper bone […]

Four partial biopsies of an infected hot brand skin lesion from a Quarter Horse stallion were submitted in 10% buffered formalin to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) for histologic diagnosis. No clinical history was submitted. Histologically, the biopsies consisted of haired skin including epidermis, dermis, and subcutis. Two different lesions were identified […]

A six-year-old mixed breed gelding experienced a sudden onset of neurologic signs including a stiff jaw, body tremors, dilated pupils, photophobia, and ataxia.  Symptomatic treatment was unsuccessful, and the horse was euthanized after becoming intractable.  The attending veterinarian performed a field necropsy and noted icterus, subcutaneous hemorrhages (attributed to trauma), acute pleural hemorrhage, agonal endocardial […]

Recently, the brain of a 7-year-old Quarter horse mare was sent to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) for histopathology. This horse was reported to have clinical neurological signs. Prior to histologic examination, the brain was determined to be rabies-negative by the Texas Department of State Health Services. Histologically, vessels in the brain […]

With over 800,000 tests run annually, TVMDL encounters many challenging cases. Our case study series will highlight these interesting cases to increase awareness among veterinary and diagnostic communities. Infertility in the mare results in significant economic losses to the horse industry every year.  The causes are varied and include uterine infections and uterine inflammation, hormonal […]

Fixed tissue samples from nostril masses of three horses were received at the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) for histopathologic examination. The animals were a 23-year-old Quarter Horse gelding, an 18-year-old Appaloosa mare, and an adult American Quarter Horse gelding of unspecified age. The histories provided with the specimens were brief, but described […]

Samples from a one-year-old Boer goat doe were received at the TVMDL for testing.  The doe had displayed neurological signs including unilateral paresis, droopy lip and hypersalivation, torticollis upon stimulation, obtundation, and lateral recumbency.  The goat was also febrile. Clinical differentials included listeriosis, polioencephalomalacia, bacterial meningitis, and rabies virus. Treatment consisted of antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, […]

Coccidia are single-celled parasites that are common in many species, including goats. Diagnosis of coccidiosis is most commonly achieved through fecal flotation in specimens from live animals. Characteristic lesions can also be seen at necropsy. This article will highlight a recent case of coccidiosis in a goat kid at the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic […]

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 walk and was observed to be chewing on its rear legs.  The clinical signs progressed until November 4 […]

A term sheep fetus was submitted to the Texas A&M Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) for a routine necropsy. The fetus had scoliosis. The skull and maxillae were deviated to the left. There was no intact brain tissue in the cranial vault. In place of the brain there was a thin membranous sac filled with reddish […]

A 1.5-year-old, captive, white-tailed deer buck was submitted to TVMDL for necropsy. The animal had a prolonged history of illness for at least 4 months that was not responsive to antibiotic treatment. Reported clinical signs included lethargy and rapid weight loss despite having an appetite. At necropsy, a severe endocarditis was discovered. Large amounts of […]

A haired skin specimen from a White-Tailed deer of unknown age was submitted to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) for microscopic examination. The tissue was from a deer that had multiple cutaneous, firm, tan nodules. Microscopically, these tan nodules correlated with markedly dilated hair follicles that contained a large number of cross […]

Nematodes of the genus Baylisascaris are recognized as causes of avian cerebral nematodiasis. Baylisascaris columnaris, the ascarid of skunks and Baylisascaris procyonis, the ascarid of raccoons, have been documented as the species responsible for this disease. The disease occurs after consumption of the ascarid eggs in contaminated feed or picked up from the ground of contaminated premises. The bird […]

Twelve 11 and 12-week-old broiler breeder pullets from two farms were submitted to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) in Center, Texas for a diagnostic evaluation. The birds were submitted with a clinical history of having bumps on the face. Upon clinical examination, the birds exhibited nodular protuberances, approximately 1 cm in length, […]

A four-year-old Pacific eider (sea duck) was reported to have a history of open-mouth breathing. It had been treated for suspected aspergillosis prior to death and was submitted to Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) for necropsy. At necropsy, the clinical suspicion of aspergillosis was confirmed. All air sacs were coated by green, velvety, […]

Fowl Pox was diagnosed in three Houdan chickens submitted for diagnostic workup to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) in Center, Texas. Upon examination, the birds had either one or both eyes severely swollen, due to a large accumulation of caseous exudate, and moderate numbers of dark brown, 3 mm diameter, raised nodules […]

Rickets was diagnosed in a live, 3-month-old, backyard type, female chicken. The bird was submitted to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) in Center, Texas, for testing. The bird was depressed and showing respiratory distress. The findings at the necropsy examination included moderate emaciation, fragile bones with increased width of the bone growing […]

The causative agent of histomoniasis is a protozoan parasite Histomonas meleagridis. Numerous gallinaceous birds are affected by this parasite including turkeys, chickens, chukar partridges, peafowl, pheasants, and ruffed grouse.  H. meleagridis is commonly transmitted in embryonated eggs of the common cecal worm, Heterakis gallinarum. Chickens and other gallinaceous birds harbor this worm, which acts as a reservoir. In turn, […]

Severe coccidiosis was diagnosed in a 22-week-old, broiler breeder flock. Three dead birds were submitted to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) in Center for examination. The birds were submitted with a clinical history of sudden increase in mortality. At necropsy, the birds had moderately dilated and flaccid jejunum and ileum, with their […]

Twelve dead adult Chukar partridges were submitted to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) in Gonzales for necropsy. History noted an increase in spontaneous deaths over a few days’ period with minimal or no clinical signs observed. Upon necropsy examination, the birds had enlarged, pale, orange-colored livers and enlarged, dark spleens. The lungs […]

Salt toxicity was 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 Center. Clinical history noted increased mortality starting at 2-weeks-old. At necropsy examination, all the birds had an edematous brain with poorly defined cerebellar folia and cerebrum lobes, thin blood, and […]

A 6-month-old Harris’s hawk was necropsied at the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) in College Station and was diagnosed with herpesvirus infection as the cause of death. This hawk was used as an abatement bird and had been previously diagnosed with and treated for oral trichomoniasis. The patient passed away and was submitted […]

The Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory’s (TVMDL) Center laboratory discovered salmonellosis in a flock of 75 racing pigeons. At the time of specimen submission, 25 birds had already died. Sick birds were showing regurgitation, greenish feces, and sudden death following onset of clinical signs. At necropsy examination, two birds had enlarged and mottled livers […]

Staphylococcosis and fowl pox were diagnosed at the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) poultry lab in Center, TX, in a flock of 17-week-old, meat type, breeder, chickens. Three dead birds were submitted for laboratory examination. Grossly, all the birds had moderately swollen gastrocnemius tendons and hocks, as well as moderate to large numbers […]

Histomoniasis, a protozoal disease of birds also known as “Blackhead”, was diagnosed in a flock of Bobwhite quail. Three dead females and one dead male, 8-month-old, Bobwhite quail were submitted to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) with a clinical history of increased mortality. History indicated the flock exhibited enteritis and had been […]

A flock of approximately 3000 Chukar partridges, aged five months and older, were experiencing a decrease in performance and a slight increase in mortality.  The birds continued to eat but many lost weight and eventually died.  No overt respiratory or digestive clinical signs were observed. Six live, 5-month-old Chukar partridges were presented to the Texas […]

Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) received several bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus) for necropsy. The majority of submitted quail have come from various hunting preserves all across Texas. These facilities are reporting high mortalities, with some finding 200-400 birds dead each day. At necropsy, these quail have all been diagnosed with ulcerative enteritis. Ulcerative […]

A wildlife rehabilitation center submitted a biopsy from a hawk. The veterinarian examining the hawk noted a proliferative lesion on the non-feathered skin of the left talon. There are several infectious disease differentials for lesions on the talons of birds ranging from pododermatitis (bumblefoot), often caused by an underlying bacterial infection to various viral, fungal, […]

Necrotic enteritis associated with coccidiosis was diagnosed in 25-day-old broilers. Six live broilers with a history of increased mortality with birds dying with their legs straight out were submitted for laboratory examination. At necropsy, the mucosa of the jejunum and ileum had a “cloth towel” appearance with loose, small mucosal flakes. Moderate numbers of coccidia […]

A 13-pound, juvenile, male intact, crossbred pig was submitted to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) for necropsy and ancillary testing. The animal was described as a piglet and no age was stated on the submission form. The piglet was euthanized by the referring veterinarian for submission to the laboratory. The history indicated […]

Two porcine carcasses (carcass #1 and #2) and porcine tissue specimens from two additional pigs (tissues #3 and #4) were submitted to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) for testing. All four animals were from different premises. Porcine carcass #1 was 4-weeks-old and had a history of respiratory distress and being a “poor […]

A formalin-fixed globe from an 11-year-old, castrated male, Pitbull dog was submitted to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) as a biopsy. The patient was from south Texas with an unknown travel history. The dog was reported to have a history of corneal ulceration, and enucleation was performed when perforation occurred. Histologically, the […]

The bacteriology section at the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) received a skin swab for bacterial culture and susceptibility from a 1-year old, female, German Shepherd dog with a history of a non-healing wound over the caudal dorsum (Figure 1) that was suspected to have resulted from a dog bite.  Multiple organisms including Staphylococcus […]

Tissues from a 3-year-old, castrated male Great Dane were submitted to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL). On histopathology, the liver, spleen, and kidney were infiltrated by neoplastic lymphocytes. Neoplastic lymphocytes migrated through hepatic sinusoids and uniquely, also infiltrated hepatocytes. Hepatocytotropic lymphoma is a rare, highly aggressive form of T-cell lymphoma, arising from […]

A one-year-old, female-spayed, mix breed dog required a mid-shaft, hind leg amputation after a femoral fracture. Following the amputation, the owner and veterinarian noted marked callus formation with draining tracts on the lateral aspect of the right leg (Figure 1). Radiographs performed almost a month after the amputation demonstrated a marked amount of bony proliferation […]

Sertoli cell tumors are unique testicular tumors that are known for their ability to cause feminization of male dogs. These tumors are commonly diagnosed via histopathology at the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL). Usually, little clinical history is provided with these submissions, and usually only testicles are submitted. This article describes a case […]

Three dogs from the same location were submitted to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) for necropsy. The three dogs were mixed breed and genetically unrelated. Two of the dogs were 1.5-year-old males and the third was a 3 year-old female. Clinical history was not provided. Necropsy findings were of the same nature […]

Tissue from a mass on the dorsal head of a twelve-year-old spayed female, mixed breed dog was submitted to the histopathology section at the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) for examination. The mass on the head was noticed by the owner approximately two months before removal and it had grown noticeably during that […]

Pseudorabies, also known as Aujezsky’s disease, mad itch, and infectious bulbar paralysis, is a highly contagious disease of swine that can also be fatal in domestic species. This past spring, pseudorabies was diagnosed in a group of hog-hunting dogs from southern Texas. Four dogs total were affected. Two were found dead with no clinical signs […]

TVMDL diagnosed ocular coccidioidomycosis  via histopathology in a 12-week-old Great Pyrenees puppy from Brewster County in West Texas. This puppy was clinically diagnosed with juvenile glaucoma in the right eye and a previous history of possible unknown trauma was speculated. The affected eye was enucleated and sent to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory […]

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 and submitted to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) for histopathology.  Histologically, hyperplastic mammary tissue was infiltrated with a multilobular, unencapsulated, poorly demarcated neoplasm.  Based on cellular morphology […]

Small intestinal biopsy samples from a two-year-old German Shepherd dog were submitted to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) in College Station. The clinical history indicated chronic diarrhea for the last six months, normal blood parameters and no parasites noted on fecal floatation. When the biopsies were examined there were numerous white nodules […]

Canine hepatozoonosis is a debilitating, tick-borne disease caused by Hepatozoon americanum, a protozoal parasite transmitted by the Gulf coast tick (Amblyomma maculatum). Affected dogs may have waxing and waning clinical signs and typically present with a fever, weakness, and reluctance to move. Other clinical signs can include muscle atrophy, weight loss, and mucopurulent ocular discharge. Late […]

Two Presa de Canario puppies from a litter of eight were submitted to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) for necropsy. These puppies were estimated to be approximately 1 to 2 weeks old. A total of six puppies from this litter had died, amounting to a mortality rate of 75%. Some puppies were […]

Fixed and fresh tissue samples from the testicles of a dog were received at the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) for histopathologic evaluation and bacterial culture.  The dog was approximately 2 years old and from south Texas.  Both of the submitted testicles were described as being very hard and the dog was described […]

Two submissions to TVMDL contained the following histories: Case 1 – A seven-year-old, female, spayed Chihuahua mixed breed dog had suddenly become blind about one month prior to presenting at the submitting veterinarian’s clinic. The dog had enlarged lymph nodes and a large abscess on the left side of the head. It was open-mouth breathing, […]

Mammary gland tumors are diagnosed on a daily basis at TVMDL. These tumors occur in both canine and feline patients and can be benign (adenomas) or malignant (carcinomas). They are seen most often in intact females. Inflammatory mammary gland carcinoma is a unique entity that occurs infrequently in dogs and is seen in humans as […]

Chagas disease was diagnosed via blood smear and buffy coat examination in a clinically ill puppy with ascites. Although classically observed as trypomastigotes (elongated forms) in fresh samples, these organisms can transform into a rounded form with storage (as depicted here). Chagas disease is caused by the protozoal organism, Trypanosoma cruzi, which is transmitted by the […]

An entire globe from an 8-year-old cat was submitted to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL). The patient had a history of bilateral glaucoma, but the left eye recently became ulcerated, so enucleation was elected. On histopathology, lining the interior aspect of the globe and completely disrupting intraocular structures was a spindle cell […]

Two biopsy specimens from the pinnae of a 6-year-old, domestic shorthair cat from east-central Texas were submitted to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) for histologic examination. This cat was reported to have red, raised, hemorrhagic masses on both pinnae which were removed with surgical excision. Histologically, there were three separate masses identified […]

Feline herpesvirus is a highly transmissible, viral disease that is very common in cats. This disease is also known as feline viral rhinotracheitis and is included in core feline vaccines. Feline herpesvirus is frequently diagnosed at the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL). The most common laboratory methods of diagnosis include PCR and histopathology, […]

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 have a large, ulcerative lesion in the groin and on the back. Nearby areas were described to be alopecic and fissured. Two biopsy specimens were collected and submitted […]

Mammary gland masses from an approximately 7-month-old cat were submitted to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) for histopathology. The cat was reported to have multiple mammary gland masses ranging from marble-sized to 6 cm wide. These masses had acute, rapid development and had doubled in size over a 2-week period. The cat […]

An amputated toe from an 11-year-old, female spayed, domestic shorthaired cat was submitted to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) in College Station for histopathology. This cat had multiple swollen nails on the front feet. Histologically, the distal phalangeal bone (P3) and nailbed were heavily infiltrated by neoplastic epithelial cells (Figure 1). In […]

A fine needle aspirate of a mass on the left ear pinnae of a 9-year-old, spayed, female domestic shorthaired cat was submitted to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) cytology service. History stated the lesion began as a small scab about a month before the sample collection, but had grown rapidly to its […]

A one-month-old, Ragdoll kitten was presented for necropsy at the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) in College Station after passing away subsequent to hospitalization for respiratory illness.  The kitten was part of a large commercial breeding operation where multiple kittens were experiencing similar clinical signs. The gross necropsy findings indicated that the cause […]

Two cats from two separate clinics were submitted to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) and were both diagnosed with hepatic amyloidosis. The whole body of the first cat was submitted for necropsy and histopathology. Formalin-fixed sections of liver, gallbladder, and kidney from the second cat were submitted for histopathology following a necropsy […]

Pulmonary toxoplasmosis was recently diagnosed in a stray, male tabby cat approximately 1-year-old. This cat was brought to a local veterinary clinic for lethargy and respiratory distress and died within 24 hours of treatment. A pneumonia was identified at necropsy and formalin-fixed samples of lung were sent to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) […]

An 11 year-old, spayed female, domestic longhaired cat was submitted to the Texas A&M Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) for necropsy.  The clinical history mentioned depression with periodic vomiting for 2 to 3 days.  The animal was given medication for the vomiting and died soon afterwards.  The primary lesion observed at necropsy was marked splenomegaly; the […]

Bone biopsy specimens taken from an adult male castrated domestic feline were submitted to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) for bacterial and fungal culture and histopathologic examination. The referring veterinarian stated that radiographs of the right hock and right radius and ulna indicated changes consistent with possible osteomyelitis or neoplasia. There were […]

A small piece of carpal bone from an eight-year-old domestic short haired cat (DSH) was submitted to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) for histopathology. The provided history stated the cat had a lytic and proliferative lesion of the “carpal bones”. An impression smear of the boney lesion was also submitted. The slides […]

A 3-year-old domestic short-haired cat from central Texas died shortly after arrival at a veterinary clinic.  On gross necropsy, lesions were minimal; however, histologically every tissue examined demonstrated vascular occlusion with numerous intracytoplasmic schizonts within macrophages.  The schizonts were approximately 40 microns in diameter and contained numerous 1-3 micron merozoites. This cat died from infection […]

A nine month old, spayed female, domestic cat became neurologic and was unresponsive to supportive treatment. Upon death, the head and three sections of liver were submitted to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) for histopathologic evaluation and toxicology testing. Following a negative rabies test, a portion of fixed brain was examined and […]

A 7-year-old, spayed female DLH cat was obtained as a stray.  She was noted to have mild hind limb dysmetria characterized by bunny hopping when sprinting.  She could jump and was stable when standing still.  The attending veterinarian tentatively diagnosed cerebellar hypoplasia, most likely due to in utero infection with feline parvovirus. The deficits progressed […]

Tissue samples from a three-week old, Charolais mix, male intact calf were submitted to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) for testing. According to the submitting veterinarian, the animal exhibited acute, non-specific neurological deficits that progressed rapidly. No information was provided regarding whether this animal died naturally or by euthanasia. Tests requested by […]

The body of a midterm bovine fetus and the attached placenta were submitted to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) for necropsy and gross examination. Upon examination, the entire fetus and placenta exhibited severe mummification. Tissues of this fetus were submitted to the molecular section for bovine herpesvirus (BHV)-1, BVDV, Leptospira spp. and Neospora caninum rtPCRs. […]

A 21 day-old calf with a history of multiple leg fractures and no evidence of external injuries was euthanized and sent into the TVMDL for evaluation of the hind limbs and mandible. On gross necropsy examination the mandible contained incisor teeth that were erupted but were all pink, translucent, mobile, and when transected contained pink […]

A seven-day-old angus bull calf with a history of diarrhea was necropsied by the submitting veterinarian. The small intestine, liver, kidney and the lymph node were submitted as fresh and formalin-fixed tissues to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) for further testing. The tests requested by the submitting veterinarian included microscopic evaluation (histopathology), […]

An adult, female, 800 lb., Brangus cow in poor body condition was submitted to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) for necropsy. The animal was part of a herd that reported multiple losses in the previous weeks and days. The clinical signs exhibited by other animals was not reported by the owner or […]

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 other substances. Six percent of the animals reportedly died within a 24-hour period. Two 7-month-old calves were necropsied on site and were noted to have melting abdominal fat, hemorrhage […]

Recently, bovine conjoined twin calves were submitted to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL). Both the dam and sire were angus crosses from a herd of 250 head in the eastern region of Texas. There had been no prior occurrences of conjoined twins or other congenital abnormalities on the property. The dam had […]

Tissue from a cross-bred bovine fetus in the third trimester of gestation was submitted to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) to investigate the cause of abortion. According to the history provided by the submitting veterinarian, this animal was the second of two full term fetuses that had been born dead in the […]

A 1-year-old heifer became weak and went off by herself in mid-April.  The heifer was examined by the submitting veterinarian a few days later and was described as being lethargic, having a drooped head, oculonasal discharge, conjunctivitis/scleritis, mild mucosal petechiations, and frank blood in the urine. The heifer was weak and ataxic and would fall down […]

A biopsy from a 7-month-old cross breed bovine steer with a large mass was submitted to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) in Canyon. The mass had been surgically removed from the right cervical region just in front of the shoulder. The mass had dimensions of 8-10 inches in diameter, very firm and […]

A 12-month-old crossbred bull was submitted to the Texas A&M Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) in College Station for necropsy.  The clinical history indicated that this animal had periodic seizures and bouts of ataxia for two days.  The animal would appear to be normal between these neurologic episodes.  The referring veterinarian indicated that the neurologic signs […]

A veterinarian was investigating the cause of increased non-respiratory disease mortalities in beef feeder cattle. The cattle were 100-200 days on feed and had signs of systemic compromise before acute death. On necropsy, the animals had advanced autolysis of the peritoneal organs, especially the liver and kidneys, and bladder distention. The bladders contained clotted blood […]

A 500 lb. steer from a 30,000 head capacity feedlot was recognized as ill and pulled to a “sick pen”. The steer was from a pen of 45 head that had been on feed for approximately 45 days and appeared normal until recently.  The steer was discovered on a routine daily pen check to be […]

Blackleg is an infectious, non-contagious disease caused by Clostridium chauvoei.  Infection occurs when animals ingest bacterial spores while grazing. The bacterial spores penetrate the intestine and are disseminated via the bloodstream to the skeletal muscle, where the spores remain dormant. Following an event that causes low oxygen conditions (i.e. bruising or damage to the muscle) in […]

Mammary gland tumors are diagnosed on a daily basis at TVMDL. These tumors occur in both canine and feline patients and can be benign (adenomas) or malignant (carcinomas). They are seen most often in intact females. Inflammatory mammary gland carcinoma is a unique entity that occurs infrequently in dogs and is seen in humans as […]

A 12-month-old black and white female laying chicken from a small backyard flock was received for necropsy.  The owner had elected euthanasia of this bird following a clinical exam revealing acute abnormal respiration including open mouth breathing.  Another bird in the flock had similar clinical symptoms and had died.  Following euthanasia and refrigeration, the bird […]