Happy Heartworm Awareness Month! Heartworms are a relatively common issue among dogs, however cats are also a susceptible species. Timing is key to effective testing for heartworms in all species. In this episode, Dr. Brandon Dominguez and Dr. Cathy Campbell chat with Serology Section Head Dr. Melanie Landis on the testing options available at TVMDL and the benefit of following guidelines outlined by the American Heartworm Association.

In general, parasites are a nuisance for animal owners. However, for livestock, equine, and other hoof-stock owners the threat is broadly spread across a herd. Though difficult, managing the threat of parasites at a herd-level doesn't have to be tricky. In this episode, Dr. Brandon Dominguez and Dr. Alexis Thompson sit down with Mindy Borst, TVMDL's in-house parasitology expert, to discuss the agency's testing options.

Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) is a protein hormone produced by sertoli cells and granulosa cells in the testes and ovaries, respectively. Therefore, AMH is diagnostically useful in characterizing spay/neuter status, ovarian remnant syndrome, and cryptorchidism. In this episode, Dr. Brandon Dominguez and Dr. Cathy Campbell sit down with Dr. Malcolm Delovio to discuss AMH and the testing options available at TVMDL to assess AMH concentration levels.

For many Texas livestock exhibitors, January marks the beginning of "major show season". Texas is home to three major livestock shows and hundreds of county livestock shows. Many enlist the assistance of TVMDL to perform livestock drug testing services. In this episode, Dr. Brandon Dominguez visits with Analytical Chemistry Section Head Dr. Travis Mays to discuss the importance of drug testing for livestock shows and how the lab utilizes state-of-the-art equipment to drug test over 4,000 samples from around the United States each year.

Canine Herpes Virus is a significant concern for newborn puppies less than 3 weeks of age, especially those from a female dog that has not been exposed to the herpes virus and encounters the virus during the last few weeks of her pregnancy. The virus/infection can trigger abortion or neonatal loss shortly after birth as they may be exposed to the virus and lack maternal antibody protection from their immunologically naïve mother.  In this episode, Dr. Brandon Dominguez teams up with Dr. Cathy Campbell, veterinary diagnostician, and Dr. Mathias Martins, virology section head, to discuss the disease and the testing options offered at TVMDL.

Trichomoniasis is a reportable disease in Texas that can cause a slate of herd reproductive issues. Bulls are the carriers of the causative protozoa and are not likely to show clinical signs of the disease. Oftentimes, open cows and multiple early and late term abortions are the signals that "trich" is present. In this episode, Dr. Brandon Dominguez and Assistant Agency Director for Diagnostic Services Dr. Terry Hensley offer an overview of the disease. Dr. Megan Schroeder, assistant section head in molecular diagnostics, discusses TVMDL's testing options and the instances in which each test would be most beneficial.

Canine distemper is a highly contagious viral disease that is often difficult to detect. Though the virus can spread among other mammalian species, it is prominent in wild and domestic dog populations. TVMDL's newest veterinary diagnostician, Dr. Cathy Campbell discusses distemper, its clinical signs, and TVMDL's testing options – including a brand new test.

If an animal has a thyroid gland, it can fail. Hyperthyroidism and its counterpart, hypothyroidism, can greatly affect an animal's overall health and quality of life. Knowing the clinical signs and testing options to detect thyroid issues is critical amongst all species, but especially in cats and dogs. In this episode, Dr. Malcom Delovio, TVMDL's in-house endocrinologist, discusses what to look for to detect thyroid issues and how TVMDL can assist practitioners in evaluating hormone levels in cats and dogs. Listeners are encouraged to review the 2023 American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) Selected Endocrinopathies of Dogs and Cats Guidelines for additional information.

Hemorrhagic disease (HD) is the collective term that describes two viruses: Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease virus (EHD) and bluetongue virus (BT). Both viruses are spread by insect vectors and pose significant health threats to the state's native and domestic deer populations. TVMDL offers several testing options that assist with deer import/export, vaccine development, and in the diagnosis of sick deer. In this episode, Assistant Agency Director for Diagnostic Services and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension veterinarian Dr. Terry Hensley discusses the effects of each virus, how they're spread, and the role diagnostic testing plays in deer health.

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, producers and practitioners should not be weary if armed with the correct knowledge and precautions. In this episode, Assistant Agency Director for Diagnostic Services Dr. Terry Hensley discusses an overview of anthrax, it's historical prevalence, and how you can submit samples for anthrax testing while keeping your staff and our staff safe.