CAHFS Connection - September 2026

Managing Editor: Kerry Ballinger 
Design Editor: Lucy Gomes  
Contributors:  Cassie Powers • Emma Torii • Francisco Uzal • Javier Asin • Mark Anderson • Patricia Blanchard • Roberto Olivares

Announcements

CAHFS Turlock has Moved! 

The California Animal Health and Food Safety (CAHFS) Turlock Laboratory is excited to announce the recent opening of our new facility at 830 Dianne Drive, Turlock, CA 95380, beginning July 20, 2026. The move also marks an important expansion of services, as the new CAHFS-Turlock provides necropsy services for mammalian species in addition to its established poultry diagnostic program. This new facility jointly houses CDFA and CAHFS staff. The phone number for the CAHFS-Turlock laboratory is (209) 634-5837. 

General

Avian

Infectious laryngotracheitis (ILT), trichomoniasis and avian pox were found in a nine-month-old hen that died after a three-day history of respiratory signs and gurgling. Gross lesions consisted of pharyngitis, laryngitis, tracheitis, and scattered raised skin lesions on the comb and face.  Microscopically, the pharyngeal lesions consisted of deep mucosal ulceration with invasion by Trichomonas spp. The trachea had proliferative and necrotizing tracheitis with syncytia; ILT virus was detected by PCR. The skin lesions had epidermal hyperplasia with cytoplasmic eosinophilic inclusions typical of avian pox. 

Oral squamous cell carcinoma was diagnosed in a three-year-old Easter egger black hen with a history of weight loss and ill-thrift. On gross exam, occupying the majority of the oral cavity, there was a large multinodular yellow firm and caseous mass that partially obstructed the opening of the esophagus (Fig. 1).   Microscopically, the mass was consistent with squamous cell carcinoma. Squamous cell carcinoma is one of the most common skin tumors of chickens. When it develops in the mouth or esophagus, clinical signs manifest as reluctance to eat, or reduced appetite, weight loss, and difficulty swallowing.

Bovine 

Blackleg was diagnosed in a crossbred calf from a ranch where three, four-month-old calves were found dead three days after vaccination against viral diseases, Leptospira spp. and several clostridial diseases. The calf submitted was autolyzed and distended with gas.  In the shoulder and hip there were foci of hemorrhagic and emphysematous myositis which histologically had intralesional rods compatible with clostridia. Clostridium chauvoei was detected by fluorescent antibody test, confirming blackleg.  

Equine

Colonic torsion was the cause of death of an Arabian filly that was found dead in the morning. At necropsy, the entire loop of large colon had a clockwise, ~360° rotation over its axis at the level of the root of the mesentery, and the cecum was wrapped around and laid in the right caudal aspect of the abdomen. There was diffuse red discoloration of the colonic and cecal walls, and multifocal serosal hemorrhages.

Lagomorph

Tularemia was diagnosed in an adult female black-tailed jackrabbit. At necropsy, the carcass was covered with a large number of ticks. The trachea contained a moderate amount of red fluid and had a diffusely dark-red mucosa. The lungs exhibited dark-red areas affecting multiple lobes, and the liver and the spleen had multifocal pinpoint white foci. Microscopically, the liver and spleen had multifocal necrosis (Fig. 2) with numerous intralesional bacterial colonies. In addition, the rabbit had severe pulmonary edema, thrombosis, and generalized hemorrhages. Francisella tularensis, the agent of tularemia, was identified by culture, PCR and immunohistochemistry (Fig. 3). 

Pigs/Porcine

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) resulted in the abortion of ten pig fetuses from one gilt.  At necropsy, the fetuses varied in size, with crown-rump lengths ranging from 19 to 25 cm. Two fetuses were mummified, while the remaining eight were markedly autolyzed. Eight fetuses had a moderate amount of serosanguineous fluid within the thoracic and abdominal cavities. Histologically, 8/10 fetuses had interstitial pneumonia with intra-alveolar keratin and meconium deposition (Fig 4). Less frequent lesions included  funisitis (4/10),  placentitis (4/10), and  epicarditis (3/10). Quantitative RT-PCR for PRRSV performed on fetal lungs was positive. Other potential causes of abortion, including porcine parvovirus, porcine herpesvirus, Leptospira spp., Brucella spp. and other bacterial infections were excluded based on histopathology and other ancillary diagnostic testing. 

Small Ruminants

Caprine-arthritis-encephalitis (CAE) pneumonia was diagnosed in a 1.5-year-old, female Alpine goat that was submitted for necropsy after a two-week history of lethargy, weight loss, reduced milk production and breathing rapidly prior to death. On gross examination, the caudal lung lobes were firm, with coalescing, white, irregular, bulging cut surfaces. On histology, there was marked interstitial pneumonia with large amounts of alveolar proteinaceous material and lymphoplasmacytic mastitis. Serology, and immunohistochemistry of the lungs was positive for CAE. The CAE virus can cause slowly progressive diseases, including arthritis, mastitis, pneumonia and/or encephalitis in goats. The major method of spread is via ingestion of infected colostrum or milk, but spread via inhalation of nasal secretions from prolonged close contact can also occur.

Holiday Schedule

Labor Day: September 7, 2026, lab will be closed. 

Employment Opportunities

None at this time.