Nebraska Veterinary Diagnostic Center

Guidance for diagnostic testing for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 virus in cattle

Recent USDA-APHIS regulations require that milk samples from lactating dairy cattle be submitted to a laboratory approved by the National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) for Influenza A virus (IAV) PCR testing prior to interstate movement. The NVDC is approved by NAHLN to run this testing. If you have clinically ill or sick animals that may require testing, please contact the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) or USDA for instructions. Read article

HPAI Extension update

April 18, 2024—Dr. Matt Hille, a veterinary pathologist in the Nebraska Veterinary Diagnostic Center and an extension specialist, has written a brief summary of current information about the emerging H5N1 disease in U.S. dairy cattle.

As this is an emerging disease, new information is being collected and posted on the Nebraska Dairy Extension website.

Investigating the cause of cattle abortions: When to involve your veterinarian and what happens next

It’s fall, and for cow/calf producers throughout the region that often means it’s time to preg check. Confirming pregnancy in the herd is an important milestone in the overall cow/calf production system, but there’s still a lot that needs to go right before you’re admiring next year’s weaned calf crop. Unfortunately, reproductive losses can still happen between confirmation of pregnancy and calving. Beef producers and veterinarians often refer to any death loss before calving as an “abortion”, but in reality, true abortions only make up a portion of this loss. It is important to define some of the terms regarding reproductive losses: Continue reading

Tularemia--what you should know

Francisella tularensis or Tularemia is a bacterial pathogen on the CDC’s list of select agents due to its ability to cause rapid disease and death. The microorganism is endemic in this area of the US, and the NVDC sees several cases a year.

In summer, Tularemia should be considered as a differential diagnosis in acutely ill, febrile cats. Cats at increased risk for Tularemia include cats with outdoor access and cats that have access to rodents and rabbits. Additional clinical signs include a high WBC count, icterus, enlarged lymph nodes, splenic and liver masses or enlargement on ultrasound or palpation.

Since Tularemia is a zoonotic pathogen that can cause life-threatening illness in people, ruling out Tularemia is important. Tularemia can be spread through infected tissue aerosols or direct inoculation with infected material. If you suspect that you have been exposed to Tularemia, let your doctor know immediately.

In living cats, lymph node aspirates or blood can be cultured to confirm diagnosis. Lymph node aspirates should be inoculated into a bacterial culture tube. Ulcer swabs can also be cultured for Tularemia. Mark "Tularemia Suspect" on the submission form to prioritize testing. Do not submit syringes with infected material: it can endanger people who handle the syringes.

In cats that have died, submit the whole cat for necropsy and mark "Tularemia Suspect" on the submission form.

Cats are especially susceptible given that they are predators of rabbits and other small rodents that often harbor the organism; however, other species can also be infected. Tularemia can be transmitted via tick and deer fly bites.

For more information, refer to this website: https://www.cdc.gov/tularemia/index.html