Diseases & Diagnoses

Bovine Theileria refers to a group of protozoal parasites that infect cattle. Among them, Theileria orientalis is particularly important, as it’s been associated with outbreaks causing anemia, decreased productivity, and even death in severe cases. In this episode, Dr. Brandon Dominguez and Dr. Alexis Thomspon discuss TVMDL's new PCR assay with Molecular Diagnostics Assistant Section Head Dr....

Multiplex assays are a really useful diagnostic tool for testing/targeting multiple pathogens at one time.  Clients obtain results for multiple targets at a reduced cost than if they were testing for each target individually. In this episode, Dr. Brandon Dominguez and Dr. Michael Piccione discuss the value of multiplex assays with Dr. Megan Schroeder, assistant section head for molecular diagnosti...

Biosecurity is an essential part of any animal operation. TVMDL offers a panel aimed at screening for several significant diseases in sheep and goats. In this episode, Dr. Brandon Dominguez, Dr. Michael Piccione, and Serology Section Head Dr. Suzanna Storms discuss the tests included in the panel and how producers can leverage that information into making herd health decisions.

Although mycoplasma and ureaplasma are closely related, the latter pathogen holds some key differences that could be pinpointed through diagnostic testing. In this episode, Dr. Brandon Dominguez and Dr. Alexis Thompson chat with Dr. Tegner Jacobson, microbiology section head in Canyon, to discuss the two pathogens, how they're different, and how diagnostic testing can assist practitioners in d...

For many, anthrax isn't outside the realm of normal. Those living within the geographic triangle connecting Uvalde, Ozona, and Eagle Pass or otherwise known as the "Anthrax Zone" are familiar with this disease as it's been endemic to the area for several years. On average, TVMDL detects one to two cases from this area each year. Though anthrax is serious zoonotic disease, produce...

Cache Valley virus (CVV) is a mosquito-borne virus that has as significant impact on sheep and wildlife. Despite it's impact, CVV does not garner the same attention as similar mosquito-borne viruses like Bluetongue and West Nile. In this episode, Dr. Brandon Dominguez and Dr. Alexis Thompson discuss CVV, common clinical signs, and testing considerations with Assistant Agency Director for Microbiol...

Sample pooling can be a cost effective way to screen a large group of animals for a disease. However, it's important pooling is only used in certain circumstances to ensure results are reliable. In this episode, Dr. Brandon Dominguez and Dr. Alexis Thompson chat with Assistant Agency Director for Microbiology Dr. Erika Schwarz to cover the pooling method and the instances where pooling is most...

Urine protein creatinine ratio (UPC) can be incredibly insightful. With a single urine sample, TVMDL can help clients determine if a pet is losing too much protein in their urine. This information can lead treatment decisions and get ahead of kidney disease. In this episode Dr. Brandon Dominguez and Dr. Cathy Campbell discuss UPC testing and its value with Kellye Stillwell, technician in the Colle...

In addition to encompassing two poultry specific labs, TVMDL supports the poultry industries by managing two state programs focused on flock health. In this episode, Dr. Brandon Dominguez chats with Poultry Programs Administrator Sydney Rosario about the National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP) and the Texas Pullorum-Typhoid (PT) Program. They're joined by DeEtte Mills and Holly Hull of TVMDL&...

Most equine owners are aware of the dangers associated with piroplasmosis. Although it's mostly associated with transmission through ticks, most cases in the United States are caused by human-meditated spread. Practices such as reusing needles, syringes, IV sets, and other blood-contaminated instruments are the primary methods of transmission. In this episode, Dr. Brandon Dominguez, Dr. Semira...

Anaplasmosis is a disease transmitted by ticks. The causative agent is a bacterium,  Anaplasma marginale that lives in an animal's red blood cells. It's crucial producers and practitioners be aware of anaplasmosis as clinical signs can mimic other diseases. In this episode, Dr. Brandon Dominguez and Dr. Alexis Thompson discuss the disease, clinical signs, and testing considerations with Dr...

Those in veterinary medicine have probably heard of next-generation sequencing (NGS), but what exactly is involved in this methodology? In this episode, Dr. Brandon Dominguez and Carlos Rodriguez discuss NGS, it's value, and how it's applied at TVMDL with Assistant Section Head for Research and Development Dr. Ellen-Ruth Alexander-Morris. Using NGS technology, TVMDL has the ability to anal...

Orf is a highly contagious virus. Sheep and goats are the species primarily affected, with young lambs and kids being more susceptible due to their underdeveloped immune systems. It's critical that if you suspect Orf in your flock or herd that critical steps are implemented to mitigate the spread. In this episode Dr. Brandon Dominguez discusses biosafety practices, testing options, and other e...

PCR testing is impressive. It's considered the go-to method for several cases when sensitive, timely results are needed. However, it's important samples are submitted appropriately and in the right circumstances in order to the get most out of results. In this episode, Dr. Brandon Dominguez and Dr. Semira Mancill discuss the science behind PCR testing and how to ensure results answer criti...

Bovine abortions can lead to significant repercussions. From a herd health perspective, abortions may be indicative of an infectious pathogen. From a financial aspect, every aborted calf is hit to a producer's pocketbook. There are countless reasons why bovine abortions are feared by producers and just as many reasons as to the causes of abortions. Because of this, labs like TVMDL need multipl...

Bone marrow aspirates can be incredibly enlightening. However the process is invasive, so it's important to know when a bone marrow aspirate is most appropriate for testing. In this episode, Dr. Brandon Dominguez and Dr. Cathy Campbell discuss the whens, whys, and hows of collecting and testing bone marrow aspirates with TVMDL's newest clinical pathologist, Dr. Emily Zuber.

Mycoplasma spp. are the smallest free-living bacteria known to science. They are also unique in they lack a cell-wall which means typical antibiotics don't work. In this episode, Dr. Brandon Dominguez and Dr. Alexis Thompson discuss mycoplasmas with Dr. Tegner Jacobson, microbiology section head in Canyon. They cover different types of mycoplasmas, testing options, and clinical signs that may...

Biosecurity is an incredibly important factor in animal health. Diseases don't always carry obvious signs of infection and more often than that not, silently move through groups of animals. That's why it's critical biosecurity practices are implemented. In this episode, Dr. Brandon Dominguez and Dr. Alexis Thompson chat with Sage Barraza, serology technician in Canyon, to discuss commo...

Liquid chromatography- tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS) is a powerful methodology that is used for several tests at TVMDL, most notably, the Performance Animal Drug Screen. Knowing the stakes of a positive result, TVMDL works hard to ensure testing is performed accurately. In this episode, Dr. Brandon Dominguez and Dr. Michael Piccione chat with Analytical Chemistry Section Head Dr. Mike Henderson...

Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) is a well known virus in the horse community, mostly due to its highly infectious nature. Clinical signs vary. Some horses present with very obvious signs where other horses present with essentially none. Testing is often associated with the Coggins test. In this episode, Dr. Brandon Dominguez and Dr. Semira Mancill discuss the virus and testing options with Kalyn Gr...

Johne's Disease primarily affects ruminants, such as sheep, cattle, and goats. Depending on the species, clinical signs can vary, but often times the shedding can occur while animals still appear healthy. In this episode, Dr. Brandon Dominguez and Dr. Alexis Thompson discuss sampling and testing considerations with Molecular Diagnostics Assistant Section Head Dr. Megan Schroeder.

In light of the EHV-1 outbreak, Dr. Brandon Dominguez and Dr. Semira Mancill sat down with Assistant Agency Director for Microbiology Dr. Erika Schwarz to talk about sampling and testing options. This is a short episode packed full of timely and relevant information!

In large animals, reproductive failure or abortion has a multifactorial etiology. As such, there are several diagnostic routes ones one should consider. But, where do you start? In this episode, Dr. Brandon Dominguez and Dr. Semira Mancill sit down with Madison Carroll, a technician in the College Station lab's clinical pathology section to discuss best practices and testing options that may a...

Blackleg, also known as clostridial myositis, is a serious, often fatal disease that primarily affects cattle. It's caused by a spore-forming bacterium that is commonly found in soil and the gastrointestinal tracts of healthy animals and has deadly impacts, if not caught in time. In this episode, Dr. Brandon Dominguez and Dr. Alexis Thompson visit with Dr. Tegner Jacobson, microbiology section...

A dermatophyte is the more scientific term for skin fungus that requires keratin for growth and can cause infections of the hair, skin, and nails in large and small animals and in humans. Most commonly, this condition is known as ringworm, despite there being no worms involved. In this episode, Dr. Brandon Dominguez and Dr. Cathy Campbell discuss testing options with the microbiology laboratory su...