March 2025

Newsletter Content

Our Veterinarian Pathology Technicians are responsible for assisting pathologists during necropsies, processing tissue samples for testing, distributing and storing tissues, incinerating necessary carcasses, and ensuring the necropsy suite is cleaned between cases. Our VPTs include Kendall Setser, Morgan Roberts, and Jacob Deeb, all of which have a bachelor's degree in animal science or related field.

While the Kord Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory (KAHDL) does not perform private cremation services, we are committed to making the process as smooth as possible. If wanting private cremation, the animal must be accompanied by a completed KAHDL Waiver and Release of Remains for Cremation form, and all arrangements with the private crematory should be made prior to arriving. Due to biosafety concerns, remains and any items on the animal cannot be returned to the owner or any other party besides the listed private crematory provided on the Waiver and Release of Remains for Cremation form. For all information on saving remains, please refer to our full article below, KAHDL Saving Remains for Private Cremation Process. For additional questions, please contact us at 615-837-5125.

Since the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) outbreak in dairy cows in 2024, numerous cats have also contracted the virus. Felines that are most susceptible to the virus include cats exposed to poultry, raw diets, raw milk, contact with affected farms, and contact with other affected livestock or animals, including wild birds. Symptoms can include loss of appetite, lethargy, and fever that quickly progresses with cats exhibiting neurologic, respiratory, and depressive symptoms with heavy discharge from the nose and eyes.

Please click below to see KAHDL's current testing protocols. 

KAHDL will now be accepting serum samples for BVD-PI ELISA. Please note that only serum samples from precolostral newborn calves or calves older than three months of age are suitable for testing in this ELISA kit. Testing requires 1 mL of serum for each test requested. Should a non-negative result occur with a serum submission, we recommend submitting an ear notch for additional testing.