In late March of this year, Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) was identified in dairy cattle in Texas. Infected cattle show a decrease in feed consumption and rumen motility, respiratory signs including nasal discharge, and an acute drop in milk production. Milk quality may also be abnormal. Some cattle remain asymptomatic. Infected cattle have now been identified in eight additional states: Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Michigan, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, and South Dakota.

By Federal Order, pre-movement testing is required for lactating dairy cattle being moved interstate, unless being transported directly for slaughter. In addition, lactating dairy cattle presented for unrestricted sale at Arizona livestock auctions must also have a negative HPAI test result, by order of the Arizona Department of Agriculture.

Heterobilharzia americana (HA), a parasite that can cause infections in dogs, was recently found in snails in the Colorado River near the California-Arizona border, prompting numerous news stories. HA is a flatworm (fluke) that can cause clinical signs in dogs including diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss, lethary, and polyuria/polydipsia.

We offer various antibiotic sensitivity testing (AST) panels for different organisms, and for different species.