B2o—Lancaster Farming, Saturday, Way 26,1983
Diagnostic lab helps head off disease problems
UNIVERSITY PARK -
Practicing veterinarians in many
instances rely on laboratory tests
to determine the reasons why
livestock and poultry become ill or
die. Prompt diagnosis usually
means heading off potential
problems that undoubtedly could
cause severe economic losses.
The Livestock and Poultry
Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory,
located on Penn State's main
campus at University Park, is one
of three state facilities designed to
assist in the diagnosis of health
problems in the Commonwealth’s
livestock and poultry industries.
The laboratory staff of four
veterinarians and several
technicians each year run tests on
several thousand specimens and
perform autopsies on more than
1,000 animals and chickens with
health problems. Findings are
promptly reported to the
veterinarian or farmer who
requested this service, often by
telephone.
Analyses focus on four main
areas: Stool samples are tested for
the presence and identification of
internal parasites; blood and
serum samples are checked for
various abnormalities and an
tibodies; autopsies are performed
to determine illness or cause ot
death; and tissue and tumor
studies are carried out for
evidence of cancer or viral
bacterial diseases.
“Veterinarians at the lab have
particular specialities which
allows us to run a myriad of tests
on the specimens or animals
submitted,” said Dr. Terrance
Lebanon Co, Livestock Club meets
LEBANON The Lebanon
County 4-H Livestock Club met on
Wednesday, May 18 at the Lebanon
Area Fair grounds, to view
demonstrations by club members.
Nicole Emnch, club president,
announced that Olympic Day will
be held at the Lebanon Area Fair
grounds on Wednesday, June 15,
Spurs Vi Burrs hold grooming clinic
PLEASANT VALLEY - The
Spurs and Burrs 4-H Club met on
May 15 at the home of Nancy
Hottle for a grooming and
showmanship clinic.
Glen Rock 4-H meets
GLEN ROCK - The Glen Rock
4-H Club met on May 13 to par
ticipate in a meat selection
program by Tony Dobrosky,
Wilson, associate professor of
veterinary science at Penn State,
who serves as scientific coor
dinator at the laboratory. “A
nominal fee is charged to cover the
cost of the test.”
He added that although referrals
should be handled by
veterinarians, any person may
submit specimens or animals to
the laboratory for analysis.
Common animal species submitted
to the lab are dairy, poultry* swine,
and sheep.
The Penn State veterinarian
pointed out that in order to
properly diagnose a case, a clinical
history must be provided. This
includes major signs of illness,
type of management program,
previous treatment, and severity
of illness of death of other animals
on the same farm.
One of the advantages of large
scale animal disease diagnosis is
determining where problems are
occurring and then relating this
information to regulatory officials.
If new diseases crop up in certain
areas of the Commonwealth,
control and/or eradication
measures can promptly be put into
effect by state officials.
“The Penn State facility is run in
close cooperation with the Penn
sylvania Department of
Agriculture’s Bureau of Animal
Industry (BAI) under the direction
of Dr. Max Van Buskirk,” Dr,
Wilson emphasized. “Our work
complements the testing con
ducted at BAI laboratories at
Sununerdale and Tunkhannock.
One member of the Penn State
and that 4-H steers needing a
freeze brand should bring them to
the Robert Miller farm on
Saturday, May 21.
On June 18, the livestock judging
team will,meet at the Charles
Bomgardner farm for a judging
workshop.
Following the demonstrations,
members voted to seek sponsors
for the county horse show.
The members are selling cookies
as a fund raiser, until June 4.
county ag agent, at Richard L.
Beck and Sons Meat Market.
The next meeting will feature a
petting zoo at Pleasant Home,
June 11.
tmk
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Or. Terrance Wilson, scientific coordinator of Penn State’s Livestock and Poultry
Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, performs autopsy on a dairy caK that was ex
periencing severe respiratory problems.
laboratory veterinary faculty starting a continuing education in agriculture,
serves as a full-time field in- program on activities at the Veterinarians and farmers
vestigator, working closely with laboratory and animal disease wishing additional information on
state and federal officials on diagnostic work. Audiences in- submitting specimens or animals
specific disease problems. elude farm groups, feed may call the laboratory at 814-863-
Laboratory faculty are also salespersons, and others employed 0837.
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