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Veterinary Resources

Accreditation Health Certificates Movement Requirements Animal Disease Traceability Official Test Documents Reference Testing Services and Submissions

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A H5N1 virus is an emerging disease in cattle and was confirmed in Texas and other states in March 2024.

The National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) has confirmed that the strain of the virus currently found in dairy cattle is very similar to the strain that appears to have been introduced by wild birds (H5N1, Eurasian lineage goose/Guangdong clade 2.3.4.4b). Initial testing has not found changes to the virus that would make it more transmissible to humans. While cases among humans in direct contact with infected animals are possible, this indicates that the current risk to the public remains low.

Find the latest updates and recommendations related to HPAI in dairy cattle on the USDA HPAI Detections in Livestock webpage.

What veterinarians need to know:


Veterinary Accreditation

Health Certificates/Certificates of Veterinary Inspection (CVI)

Movement Requirements

Animal Disease Traceability

Animal disease traceability (ADT) or knowing where diseased and at-risk animals are, where they've been, and when is important to ensuring a rapid response when animal disease events take place. Official identification and movement documentation is an essential part of tracing livestock when disease is found.

For years, veterinarians practicing regulatory work have used metal NUES tags and metal brucellosis calfhood vaccination tags. As the cattle industry progresses so does the technology used in routine operations.

Learn more about utilizing electronic identification in a veterinary practice below.

TAHC Official Test Documents

Piro Test Chart(s) & Information

Cattle Trichomoniasis  Forms & Information

Swine Test Documents

Reference

Testing Services and Submissions

To learn more about Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) testing selections, sample collection, submission, turnaround times, and the TVMDL locations that offer each test, visit the TVDML website.

For more information about TVMDL's testing services, visit the TVMDL website or call the agency's headquarters in College Station at 1-888-646-5623.

Tuberculin

  • Order Tuberculin: Please submit a completed VS Form 4-9, preferably by email, to NVSL. To order different size vials, please complete and submit the Supplemental Tuberculin Product Reagent Request Form along with the VS Form 4-9.
    • Tuberculin comes in 1ml, 5ml, and 10ml vials. Veterinarians are encouraged to order enough tuberculin for 3 months of testing. Additionally, veterinarians should order tuberculin at least 2 weeks in advance to make sure they receive it in time for their testing.
  • Fees: NVSL does not charge for tuberculin used in disease programs. Please contact NVSL if you need tuberculin for research or for zoos

Other Supplies

  • The TAHC no longer provides shipping materials, 40-count boxes, mailers, blood tubes, and tick collection kits to private practitioners. Contact information for other regulatory resources for accredited/authorized veterinarians; e.g., Brucellosis tags and test charts:

Test Submissions

  • Poultry Sample Submissions for Non-Routine Diagnostic Avian Influenza Testing: Packaging Samples
  • Tick and Fly Larvae Submissions: It is important to confirm that ticks are not cattle fever ticks and fly larvae are not New World screwworms. Veterinarians suspecting an animal may be infested with these troublesome pests are encouraged to call TAHC at 1-800-550-8242 or contact their TAHC Region Office.