CAHFS Connection - October 2026
Managing Editor: Kerry Ballinger
Design Editor: Lucy Gomes
Contributors: Cassie Powers • Emma Torii • Francisco Uzal • Javier Asin • Karyn Bischoff • Mark Anderson • Patricia Blanchard • Wendi Jackson
Announcements
San Bernardino Immunology Closure: In an effort to streamline testing systemwide, the Immunology section at the CAHFS San Bernardino lab will no longer be performing serology testing for detection of antibodies to infectious agents. Samples may still be submitted to the San Bernardino lab and they will be promptly couriered to another CAHFS lab for timely serology testing. While this may slightly increase the turnaround time for serology, we will make every effort to keep this time to a minimum. Clients can always submit samples for serology directly to other CAHFS branches, including Davis, Turlock and Tulare. Regulatory testing for Equine Infectious Anemia virus will be performed at the CAHFS Davis branch. We recommend EIA samples be submitted directly to CAHFS Davis for quicker turnaround time.
CAHFS now accepts dog & cat necropsy submissions at all four branch locations. Dog and cat necropsies are accepted only from veterinarians, government agencies and law enforcement (no dog or cat necropsies submitted by owners are accepted). The small animal necropsy fee, which is not subsidized by CDFA, includes gross examination, histology and rabies testing if indicated. Any additional ancillary tests and/or non-standard procedures will incur additional costs. These cases will be accepted during normal business hours only. No cases will be accepted to settle a dispute between a veterinarian and their client. Chain-of-custody, forensic or legal cases will only be accepted if submitted by law enforcement agencies. Requests for private cremation must be made in writing on the submission form at the time of submission; please contact the laboratory to discuss available options (additional fees apply). If you are interested in this service, please have your veterinarian contact the lab directly.
The California Animal Health and Food Safety (CAHFS) Turlock Laboratory is pleased to announce that our new facility at 830 Dianne Drive is now fully operational. Since opening on July 20, our team has risen to the occasion, successfully transitioning to the new laboratory while continuing to provide high-quality diagnostic services to both poultry and mammalian clients.
Our pathology team includes Drs. Simone Stoute, Carmen Jerry, Mauricio Navarro, Yu-Yang (Jerry) Tsai, Robert Moeller, along with Dr. Tiffany Chu, our Poultry Medicine and Diagnostics Resident. Together, the team brings extensive expertise and a strong commitment to supporting animal health and serving California’s livestock and poultry communities. Note: Please expect heavy traffic at CAHFS-Turlock on November 6, 2026 during our official dedication ceremony as we celebrate this important milestone. The CAHFS Turlock Laboratory can be reached at (209) 634-5837.
General
Avian
Fowl Cholera was diagnosed in three pheasants with a history of sinusitis and facial swelling. On gross examination, the air sacs and lungs of one bird contained multifocal to coalescing, yellow, raised plaques (Fig. 1). Microscopically, the air sacs and lungs had severe inflammation surrounding large colonies of bacteria. Aerobic bacterial culture from both sites yielded a large number of Pasteurella multocida confirming fowl cholera. This is a highly contagious and potentially fatal disease of birds; clinical signs can include fever, lethargy, anorexia, yellow-green or bloody diarrhea, swelling of the wattles or face, lameness associated with joint infection, and respiratory distress.
Proventricular dilatation disease (PDD) was diagnosed in a 4-year-old cockatoo, an aged zoo lorikeet, and a 17-year-old African grey parrot. The cockatoo was euthanized after 3-day history of lethargy and neurologic signs and had no gross lesions. The lorikeet and African Grey parrot were emaciated and had markedly dilated thin-walled proventriculus (Fig. 2). The three birds had lymphocytic ganglioneuritis in the gastrointestinal tract where Avian Borna virus, the agent of PDD, was detected by immunohistochemistry. PDD is a fatal viral condition and predominately targets the nerves supplying the digestive tract and central nervous system. It often presents with a dilated proventriculus and emaciation.
Listeria monocytogenes was detected in a 5-month-old pullet from a small backyard flock, which died after a 2-day illness. The heart had yellow nodules and pale streaking, and there was exudate on the liver capsule and peritoneum. Histologically, there was extensive myocarditis with gram-positive bacterial rods. L. monocytogenes was isolated from the liver and identified in the heart lesions by immunohistochemistry.
Bovine
A jejunal intussusception was diagnosed in a 3-year-old Jersey cow with a history of bloat and bloody manure. On gross evaluation, a mid-jejunal segment telescoped into the adjacent toone (Fig. 3). The small intestine immediately distal to the intussusception was hemorrhagic and contained a large blood clot (Fig. 4). There were nematodes within the lumen of the intestine. On microscopic evaluation, the affected segments of intestine showed a marked, segmental, necrohemorrhagic transmural enteritis. On fecal flotation, coccidia oocysts and trichostrongyle and Trichuris spp. eggs were detected. Intussusceptions in cattle are thought to be the result of irregular peristaltic movements related to enteritis, intestinal parasitism, dietary disorders, and/or mural masses. In this case the intussusception was likely related to a heavy parasitic load leading to increased GI motility.
Equine
A congenital malformation of vertebrae C6 and C7 was diagnosed in a 10-year-old Warmblood mare with a history of ataxia. On gross examination, the left caudal ventral tubercle (CVT) of the left transverse process of C6 was absent. Additionally, there was an atypical bony proliferation on the left ventral aspect of the body of C7. This finding is suggestive for a transposition of the CVT of the left transverse process of C6 to C7 (Fig. 5). These changes are a common finding in a condition called Equine Complex Vertebral Malformation (ECVM). ECVM is a congenital skeletal condition in horses primarily affecting the caudal cervical neck as well as the first and second ribs.
Pigs/Porcine
Salt toxicosis and sepsis were diagnosed in a 2-month-old, castrated male piglet, which was submitted for necropsy after a one-day history of laying on its side, tremors, and a high fever before being found dead. The piglet had been treated with antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs. Histologically, there were lesions characteristic of sepsis. Additionally, the brain had microscopic lesions consistent with salt toxicosis. The brain sodium level was elevated at 2100 ppm (concentrations of ≥2000 ppm are consistent with salt toxicosis). Sodium toxicosis in pigs occurs most commonly when there is limited access to water, often followed by excessive water consumption, although it may also occur from excessive salt consumption without access to water. In this case, the piglet may not have had access to water due to recumbency. The ambient temperature reached 98oF, which, in addition to the tremors, may have contributed to the fever.
Small Ruminants
Johne’s Disease was diagnosed in a 7-year-old Nigerian Dwarf doe goat with a history of chronic weight loss and recurrent diarrhea. On gross examination, the intestinal wall was thickened and edematous, and had a slightly reddened mucosa. Histologically, the intestinal mucosa and submucosa had severe granulomatous inflammation (Fig. 6) compatible with Johne’s disease. Special staining demonstrated numerous acid-fast bacteria within macrophages (Fig. 7). PCR testing detected Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP), confirming the diagnosis. Johne’s disease is a chronic, progressive, and incurable wasting disease of ruminants caused by MAP. In goats, clinical disease is characterized by progressive weight loss and wasting, often accompanied by diarrhea, despite a normal or even increased appetite. The disease can result in severe intestinal lesions and substantial production losses in affected herds.
Other
Hepatic Rupture was diagnosed in a 6-month-old intact male Chinchilla with a history of fighting with his cage mate. The most significant gross finding was hemorrhage and rupture of the liver (Fig. 8), accompanied by free blood within the abdominal cavity. Microscopically, the liver exhibited marked, multifocal hemorrhage consistent with traumatic hepatic rupture. Hepatic rupture can occur following blunt or penetrating trauma, including injuries sustained during fighting, or secondary to underlying hepatic disease that compromises the structural integrity of the liver and predisposes it to rupture.
Employment Opportunities
Safety Manager and Facilities Coordinator (EHS SPEC 4) – Davis - Job ID 89060
With a high degree of autonomy, serves as CAHFS Systemwide Select Agent Program Responsible Official (RO), High Containment (BSL-3) Laboratory Manager, and Facilities Coordinator. Develop, implement, and monitor environmental, health and safety policies and programs for CAHFS four statewide locations for approx. 200 employees, working closely with Branch Chiefs, Section Leaders and Safety Committee representatives to ensure compliance with federal, state, county, and University regulations. Conduct regular on-site trainings and audits and remediate findings. Oversee system-wide facilities policy development and compliance and provide direct oversight of facilities management for the Davis laboratory and backup support for the Davis Facilities Manager, including building maintenance and repair, security systems, chemical and equipment management. Assume on-site command of emergency situations/direct emergency response activities as required and serve as primary or backup after-hours emergency contact and departmental liaison for Police, Fire, EH&S, county, state and federal agencies, and for environmental/equipment alarms.
Laboratory Assistant (LAB AST 3) – Davis - Job ID 89006
Receives clinical specimens from clients and performs specimen processing/receiving for testing by reconciling, coordinating, managing and executing the receipt of samples, aid the various lab sections by providing glass washing and sterilization services, prepares clinical specimens and media for routine shipments, biohazardous disposal and chem-waste management, providing telephone customer service, assistance in animal care and restraint, as well as inventory and proper storage of biological media/reagents.
Holiday Schedule
No lab holidays in the month of October