Diseases & Diagnoses

Whether you're in or outside of veterinary medicine, you've likely heard of botulism. Botulism is a rare, but serious, disease caused by a bacteria. Timing is key to accurate diagnosis, but don't let speed trump safety precautions. In this episode, Dr. Brandon Dominguez and Dr. Semira Mancill chat with Kelsey Bond, microbiology laboratory supervisor, on the causes of botulism and the d...

Sorghum species, including Sudan grass and Johnson grass are considered cyanogenic plants, meaning they contain compounds that can release cyanide when the plant is damaged or stressed. It's crucial livestock owners stay vigilant during these conditions as cyanide toxicity can lead to sudden death. In this episode, Dr. Brandon Dominguez and Dr. Alexis Thompson sit down with Julie Anna Prusak,...

Equine Rhinitis Viruses A and B can present like many other respiratory illnesses. Testing is the only way to rule these viruses out, but that process brings a new set of questions. In this episode, Dr. Brandon Dominguez and Dr. Semira Mancill discuss both viruses and TVMDL's testing options with the agency's assistant agency director for microbiology, Dr. Erika Schwarz.

Sample submission is arguably the most important step of the testing process. If specimens aren't submitted properly testing may be yield valuable results, if any. In this episode, Dr. Brandon Dominguez and Dr. Michael Piccione sit down with Dr. Ashley Arnold, client services section head, to discuss to the submission process and how clients can mitigate potential issues.

Biopsies are incredibly useful diagnostic tools. Small sections of tissue can offer a host of critical health information, however, it's important biopsies are collected and submitted properly to ensure they are useful. In this episode, Dr. Brandon Dominguez and Dr. Cathy Campbell chat with Dr. Randi Gold, one of TVMDL's pathologists, to cover tips and tricks for getting the most information out o...

Coccidioidomycosis, also known as Valley Fever, is a fungal infection. The infection is acquired through inhalation of airborne arthrospores from disturbed soil. Once inhaled, the spores transform into spherules within the host's lungs, leading to a localized or disseminated infection. In this episode, Dr. Brandon Dominguez and Dr. Cathy Campbell sit down with Kalyn Green, assistant section head f...

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.