Diseases & Diagnoses

Texas summers offer the ideal ingredients for cyanobacteria algal blooms, otherwise known as blue-green algae. Despite the vibrant colors, these blooms can lead to devastating health effects in animals, if the toxins are ingested. In this episode, Dr. Brandon Dominguez and Dr. Michael Piccione sit down with Chase Gwinner, one of the analytical chemistry section's scientists charged with identi...

Rabies is an incredibly contagious and dangerous virus. Once clinical signs appear, the disease is almost always fatal. However, there are preventative strategies that can mitigate effects and improve outcomes. TVMDL doesn't test for rabies, but we can assist in sample collection. In this episode, Dr. Brandon Dominguez and Dr. Semira Mancill sit down with Lauren Roese, necropsy laboratory supe...

Respiratory diseases in cats can be caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi, or parasites. Understanding the causative agents is essential because it not only guides diagnostic testing but also informs the treatment plan. In this episode, Dr. Brandon Dominguez and Dr. Cathy Campbell chat with Dr. Megan Schroeder, molecular diagnostics assistant section head, to discuss the causes of respiratory disease...

Mastitis is often associated with dairy cattle, however, all lactating animals are susceptible to infection. It can present in a clinical or subclinical form with signs ranging from a noticeably inflammed udder to a simple increase in somatic cells in milk. In this episode, Dr. Brandon Dominguez and Dr. Terry Hensley sit down with Bacteriology Section Head Dr. Narayan Paul to discuss how infection...

Pyoderma is essentially a bacterial skin infection, and it's one of the most common skin conditions seen in dogs. Pyoderma is typically caused by Staphylococcus pseudintermedius in dogs, though other bacterial species can also be involved. The key symptoms include redness, pustules, crusting, hair loss, and, of course, a lot of itching. In this episode, Dr. Brandon Dominguez, Dr. Cathy Campbel...

It seems like almost everyone in veterinary medicine has a horror story regarding canine parvovirus – and rightfully so considering it's highly infectious nature. Early detection is key in mitigating it's effects, but how is the testing performed? In this episode, Dr. Brandon Dominguez and Dr. Cathy Campbell discuss the virus and TVMDL's testing options with Devin Burns, laboratory coordinator in...

Electrolytes and macrominerals are vital to several physiological processes and bodily functions. Oftentimes imbalances can lead to severe health complications in both pets and livestock. In this episode, Dr. Brandon Dominguez and Dr. Semira Mancill chat with Megan Cramer, one of the laboratory coordinators in the College Station lab's clinical pathology section, to discuss sample handling and tes...

Feline urinary disorders can be caused by a variety of physical and environmental factors. Whether it be an infection or a urinary stone causing a cat pain or discomfort, TVMDL likely has a test that can assist practitioners. In this episode, Dr. Brandon Dominguez and Dr. Cathy Campbell chat with Emma Jones, a clinical pathology technician in College Station, to discuss some of the more common uri...

Clostridial diseases are caused by bacteria in the Clostridium genus. These organisms are naturally present in the environment and the gastrointestinal tracts of animals. However, they can cause disease when they overgrow or release potent toxins, often triggered by trauma, tissue damage, or changes in the gut environment. In this episode, Dr. Brandon Dominguez chats with TVMDL Veterinary Diagnost...

Leptospirosis is caused by bacteria of the genus Leptospira. These spiral-shaped bacteria thrive in warm, moist environments and are shed in the urine of infected animals. Leptospirosis also has zoonotic potential and should be considered a public health concern. In this episode, Dr. Brandon Dominguez sits down with Dr. Cathy Campbell and Serology Laboratory Supervisor Brittany Cline to discuss th...

Malignant Catarrhal Fever (MCF) is a viral disease caused by a group of gammaherpesviruses. It primarily affects cattle, deer, bison, and other ruminants, often with severe outcomes. Adding to the severity, many of the carrier species don't show symptoms of the disease. In this episode, Dr. Brandon Dominguez and Dr. Terry Hensley discuss testing options and disease details with Dr. Gabe Gomez, ass...

Coxiella burnetti, otherwise known as Q fever, is a highly contagious zoonotic concern for both animals and humans. Testing is important, but its crucial sample collection, shipping, and testing be performed with the bacterium's risks in mind. In this episode, Dr. Brandon Dominguez chats with Molecular Diagnostics Assistant Section Head Dr. Megan Schroeder and Assistant Agency Director Dr. Terry H...

Testing for toxoplamosis can be puzzling. Often, the parasite that causes toxoplamosis, toxoplasma gondii, is associated with felines, however, all warm blooded animals are susceptible to infection. TVMDL offers serology and molecular testing options, each of which are useful depending on the case circumstances. In this episode, Dr. Brandon Dominguez chats with Dr. Cathy Campbell and serology tech...

Cytology testing can offer immediate information that can be used to make quick decisions. However, as with all tools, it's how it's used that makes all the difference. In this episode, Dr. Brandon Dominguez and Dr. Cathy Campbell chat with TVMDL's assistant agency director for clinical pathology, Dr. Julie Piccione, to discuss how practitioners can get the most value from their cytology submissio...

Strangles is a highly infectious bacterial disease in horses. Due to its ability to spread quickly, early detection is key. In this episode, Dr. Brandon Dominguez sits down with TVMDL's newest veterinary diagnostician, Dr. Semira Mancill, and one of TVMDL's scientists in the research and development section, Dr. Ellen Ruth Alexander Morris, to talk testing options.

Necropsies can serve as valuable tools in the overall diagnostic process. However, to get the most out information out of necropsy examinations, it's critical the correct samples are collected to ensure all primary and ancillary tests can be performed. In this episode, Dr. Brandon Dominguez and Dr. Alexis Thompson sit down with Dr. Katie Kleinhenz, Canyon's veterinary pathologist, the discuss the...

From the protocols to the paperwork, exporting animals to other countries can be tedious. One of the more complex tasks of the process is ensuring animals meet the health requirements of their intended country. In this episode, Dr. Brandon Dominguez and Dr. Terry Hensley chat with Kalyn Green, assistant section head for serology, to discuss commonly requested export tests, regulations, and the bes...

Holiday pet boarding is just around the corner. As we get closer to this time of year, it's crucial pet owners and boarders be aware of the contagious nature of Canine Respiratory Disease. In this episode, Dr. Brandon Dominguez and Dr. Cathy Campbell speak with Dr. Megan Schroeder, molecular diagnostics assistant section head, to discuss the different pathogen that make up the disease complex and...

Nitrate poisoning is a common, yet sometimes overlooked threat in cattle. In this episode, Dr. Brandon Dominguez and Dr. Alexis Thompson chat with Dr. Travis Mays, analytical chemistry section head, to discuss how nitrates affect animal health, the signs producers should look for, diagnostic testing options, and key preventative measures.

Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) is a critical tool in optimizing dosing for cats and dogs. In this episode, Dr. Brandon Dominguez and Dr. Cathy Campbell chat with Dr. Travis Mays to discuss the science behind TDM, including how it ensures efficacy while minimizing side effects, and why it's particularly crucial for pets with chronic conditions or those on long-term medication.

Over the past decade or so, recommendations for equine parasite control have been successful in mitigating the effects of large strongyles. However, a new class of parasites have started to rear their heads. In this episode, Dr. Brandon Dominguez and Dr. Terry Hensley sit down with Mindy Borst, assistant section head for clinical pathology, to discuss testing options and how practitioners can get...

Chagas disease is caused by an infection of a protozoa called Trypanosoma cruzi . The protozoa is spread by triatomine insects, better known as "kissing bugs". In this episode, Dr. Brandon Dominguez and Dr. Cathy Campbell chat with Carlos Rodriguez, epidemiology and informatics manager, about the disease, TVMDL's testing options, and some of the data behind serology tests.

Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) is a leading cause of economic losses in the cattle industry. The disease is considered a complex, as multiple viral and bacterial pathogens, environmental conditions, and the overall health and stress of cattle influence the infection. Among other methods, TVMDL utilizes PCR testing to assist practitioners and producers detect BRD. In this episode, Dr. Brandon Dom...

Summer is filled with international travel. For those who choose to bring pets along for the ride, this means testing to meet import/export requirements. Most countries require a canine brucellosis test for entry. It's critical samples are submitted with ample time for testing to ensure pending results don't put a halt to a travel itinerary. In this episode, Dr. Brandon Dominguez and Dr. Cathy Cam...

Caseous lymphadenitis, otherwise known as "cheesy gland" is a bacteria mostly affecting small ruminants. Most often it's spread through tagging, shearing, or other skin injuries. The bacteria causes abscesses with thick, cheese-like pus in the skin, lymph nodes and the internal organs. In this episode, Dr. Brandon Dominguez and Dr. Alexis Thompson sit down with Bacteriology Section Head Dr. Naraya...