NDSU Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory

03/27/2026

03/27/2026

Now Hiring: Student IT Assistant
The NDSU Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, in Fargo, ND, is looking for a motivated undergraduate student to join our team this summer! Gain hands-on experience at the intersection of technology, data, and animal health—while building skills that employers are actively seeking.

What you’ll do:
• Help develop automated reports from our Laboratory Information Management System
• Work with SQL databases and real-world laboratory data
• Collaborate with our database administrator on departmental and financial reporting

💵 $14/hour
📅 May 18 – August 14, 2026
⏱ Flexible schedule (minimum 5 hrs/week)

✅ You should apply by April 24, 2026 if you:
• Are majoring in MIS, Computer Science, or similar
• Have experience with SQL
• Are detail-oriented and eager to learn

03/25/2026

VDL Case Challenge #2 – Answer
Diagnosis: Johne’s disease (Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis)

Johne’s disease is a chronic intestinal infection of cattle that develops slowly over months to years.

How the diagnostic lab confirms it
-PCR testing of f***l samples
-ELISA assay
-Histopathology of intestinal tissue

Best samples to submit
-F***l samples from suspect animals
-Intestinal tissue at necropsy
-Serum for antibody testing

Infected animals may spread the organism before showing signs.
Small ruminants (goats and sheep) often do not have profuse diarrhea but may have clinical signs that resemble infection with internal parasites.

For detailed information visit: https://buff.ly/s5zUl5U
View our test catalog here: https://buff.ly/PIBS7DR

03/23/2026

VDL Case Challenge #2
-A 5-year-old cow has been gradually losing weight over the past several months.
-The producer says the cow continues to eat well, but she has become thin and now has persistent watery diarrhea.
-A few other older animals in the herd appear thinner than normal as well.
-No fever or obvious illness is present, but the condition has slowly worsened over time.
What chronic infectious disease should be suspected?

Hint: Due to a long incubation period, it is normally not recommended to test cattle until they are at least 2 years of age and the organism affects the intestinal tract.

Check back on Wednesday for the answer!

03/18/2026

VDL Case Challenge #1 – Answer
Diagnosis: Escherichia coli (Enterotoxigenic E. coli – ETEC)

This bacterium is a common cause of severe diarrhea in calves less than 4–5 days old. Disease often occurs when calves do not receive adequate colostrum, reducing their protection against infection.

How the diagnostic lab confirms it
• Bacterial culture
• PCR detection of virulence genes (fimbriae and toxin genes)

Best samples to submit
• Fresh f***s from untreated calves
• Intestinal contents from necropsy
• Small intestine tissue (if submitting a deceased calf)

Early diagnosis helps veterinarians determine appropriate treatment and management changes to prevent additional cases.

03/16/2026

VDL Case Challenge #1
A rancher calls their veterinarian about a 2-day-old calf that suddenly developed profuse watery diarrhea overnight. The calf was born during a cold snap and seems weak, dehydrated, and reluctant to nurse.

Several other calves born during the same week have started showing similar scours, and the calving area has become muddy due to recent snowmelt.

The producer notes that the calves appear normal at birth but become sick within the first few days of life.

What infectious cause of neonatal calf scours should be considered? Put your guesses in the comment section below and check back later this week for the answer!

03/13/2026

Winter can take a toll on stored feed.
Before spring feeding ramps up, consider testing forage for nutrient quality and mycotoxins. Mold growth, weather damage, and storage conditions can all impact feed value and animal health.

The NDSU Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory offers testing to help you understand what’s really in your feed.

Healthy feed = healthy cattle.

Learn more about mycotoxin tests or sample requirements: https://buff.ly/nZWOtwu

03/10/2026

The NDSU Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory offers a Bovine Diarrhea Diagnostic Panel for calves under 4 weeks of age to help identify common infectious causes of neonatal diarrhea.

This work-up screens for important pathogens including:
• E. coli
• Salmonella
• Clostridium perfringens
• Rotavirus
• Bovine coronavirus
• BVDV
• Cryptosporidium parvum

Accurate diagnostics can help veterinarians and producers better understand outbreaks and make informed herd health decisions.

Learn more about the recommended diagnostic panel: https://buff.ly/BFjJHOs

03/09/2026

Spring migration will pick up soon. 🐦🪿

As wild bird movement increases, the threat of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) across the U.S. will rise. https://www.ag.ndsu.edu/news/newsreleases/2026/march/biosecurity-practices-critical-in-protecting-against-avian-influenza

03/05/2026

When investigating bovine abortion, the type and quality of samples submitted to the laboratory can determine whether a diagnosis is reached. Submitting the appropriate tissues, fluids, and specimens allows the lab to perform the full range of testing needed to identify infectious, toxic, or other causes of disease.

Not sure what samples to collect for a diagnostic investigation?
View our bovine abortion diagnostic resources: https://buff.ly/H1HCVM9
Printable version: https://buff.ly/wAxgGq0

03/03/2026

Respiratory season is still ongoing in our region, and bovine respiratory disease (BRD) continues to be on the mind of producers and veterinarians.

Dr. Steichen, at the NDSU Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, has put together a detailed article covering what we’re seeing, what’s driving cases this time of year, and how diagnostics can support herd-level decisions.

Check out our latest newsletter for the full article and practical insights for BRD season.
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