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.
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 the disease, testing options, and why practitioners and animal owners should be aware of this persistent pathogen.
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, assistant agency director for pathology.
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 Hensley to cover testing considerations and best practices.
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 technician Elexus Hargis to discuss testing options and details of the disease.
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 submissions.
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 types of samples often collected and best practices clients should keep in mind for both field and lab necropsies.
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 best practices clients should keep in mind to ensure animals make a quick and health trip abroad.
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 the testing options available.
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.
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 the most practical diagnostic information to keep parasites at bay.
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 Dominguez and Dr. Alexis Thompson sit down with Aubrey Brasher, a molecular diagnostics technician at TVMDL Canyon, to discuss best practices for PCR testing.
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 Campbell chat with Serology Section Head Dr. Melanie Landis to cover the basics of canine brucellosis testing and how clients can ensure their travel plans take off smoothly.
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. Narayan Paul to discuss the bacteria and how producers can submit samples for testing.
Many clinics have the methods and expertise to detect common small animal parasites, such as heartworms. But, what about those random one offs you don't see regularly in clinic? That's where TVMDL's experience can be an extension to your clinic's parasite detection methods. In this episode, Dr. Brandon Dominguez and Dr. Cathy Campbell chat with Clinical Pathology Assistant Section Head Mindy Borst to cover how TVMDL's diverse experience in parasite identification can assist small animal practitioners.
Many producers experience issues with pre-weaning calf diarrhea. Though common, it's important to determine the cause of diarrhea to ensure the calf stays healthy and hydrated. In this episode, Dr. Brandon Dominguez and Dr. Alexis Thompson speak with Nina Velasquez, a bacteriology and serology technician at the Canyon laboratory, to cover the testing options TVMDL offers producers and some of the infectious causes of diarrhea.
Oftentimes, the diseases and health issues TVMDL assists with are related to nutrition. Livestock can look like they are in good condition, but are actually deficient in important trace minerals that can affect their overall health and production. In this episode, Dr. Brandon Dominguez and Dr. Alexis Thompson discuss the importance of trace minerals and TVMDL's testing options with Analytical Chemistry Section Dr. Travis Mays.
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.