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Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory
1174 Snowy Range Rd
Laramie, WY 82070
Phone: 307-766-9925
Toll Free: 1-800-442-8331
Fax: 307-721-2051
Email: vetrec@uwyo.edu
The antibiogram is a summary of antimicrobial susceptibilities of bacterial isolates submitted to WSVL. We will provide annual antibiograms to assist our clients in determining antibiotic therapy prior to knowing the susceptibility information.
A cattle herd in Park County was confirmed as “Brucellosis affected” following laboratory testing at the Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory (WSVL), Laramie. Laboratory results were confirmed at the National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL), in Ames, Iowa, December 6, 2022. One cow tested positive on blood tests at both laboratories. Further testing, including bacterial culture, will be conducted in addition to the serology tests already completed.
The Wyoming State Veterinarian has been notified by the Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory (WSVL) that blood from one cow has suspect results to tests for Brucellosis. Additional testing was performed at the National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) in Ames, IA. The suspect cow is located in Sublette County.
WSVL confirmed a diagnosis of “equine strangles” by culturing Streptococcus equi ssp.equi in early October. The horse was associated with a college campus in Fremont County, and four additional horses associated with that college have also been diagnosed. According to the Wyoming Assistant State Field Veterinarian, the horses have a variety of clinical signs that may include fever, nasal discharge, swollen submandibular lymph nodes, and facial swelling. At this time, the outbreak is ongoing. Owners with horses that may have been exposed at this college campus are encouraged to quarantine and monitor their animals.
Wyoming is again documenting cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in wildlife after a lull since early June. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s Wildlife Health Laboratory in cooperation with the Wyoming State Veterinary Lab (WSVL) has documented HPAI in eight wild birds since September 16th, 2022, including two turkey vultures from the University of Wyoming campus. This resurgence of HPAI is likely due to exposure from migratory birds. Peak of fall bird migration in Wyoming is late September through mid-November. Click the linked title to read more.
WSVL recently performed rabies testing on a bat that was found in a child’s bed. The bat tested positive for the rabies virus, which can spread to humans from a bite or scratch. The bats most commonly found in Wyoming are little brown bats, and are very small. The bats weigh less than one ounce when fully grown, so bites or scratches from these tiny bats often go unnoticed. If there is potential human contact with a bat, especially within your home or other building, it should be submitted for rabies testing. If you find a bat in your home, call the local animal control for information about safely capturing and packaging it for testing. You can also call the Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory at 307-766-9925 for more information about submission and testing. For public health information such as exposure risk and need for post-exposure vaccination contact the Wyoming Department of Health, 307-777-5825. Due to the quick thinking of the child’s parents by saving the bat and submitting it for testing to WSVL, another rabies related death was prevented.
A domestic cat from Albany County, near Laramie, tested positive for plague at the Wyoming State Veterinary Lab. When cats and dogs have plague, they may have swollen lymph nodes, sleep more, not eat or drink, and have a fever. Plague is caused by a bacterium that CAN be transmitted to humans, so if you see your pet showing clinical signs; it is very important to get them to your veterinarian for immediate treatment. When humans have plague they have similar symptoms, including muscle aches and even pneumonia. Plague can be treated with antimicrobials, but when untreated it likely will result in death. If you see any wild rabbits or prairie dogs that are sick or dead, do not handle. You can contact the Wyoming Game and Fish for proper collection and testing of wildlife (307-745-5865), or the Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory for questions regarding pets (307-766-9925).
The Wyoming Department of Health Laboratory is currently not conducting testing on human specimens for Monkeypox, but will accept and refer specimens to other public health laboratories if needed. They are working on bringing on testing at the lab, but prefer at this time that providers send samples to commercial laboratories when possible to avoid delays in results. The commercial labs known to be conducting testing on human specimens are Labcorp, Quest, ARUP, Mayo, Aegis, and Sonic Healthcare. CDC will accept animal specimens and they have information for Veterinarians here including how to submit specimens. Any veterinarians who suspect monkeypox in an animal Should contact the Wyoming Department of Health or the State Veterinarian so that they are aware and can collaborate on a response.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has been detected in several counties in Wyoming in both wild and domestic birds. HPAI is a highly contagious viral disease that can infect chickens, turkeys and other birds and can cause severe illness and/or sudden death in infected birds.
A Park County horse was confirmed to be infected with Equine Herpesvirus (EHV-1) Myeloencephalopathy January 26, 2022. EHV-1 is the very common Rhinopneumonitis virus which typically causes mild respiratory symptoms in infected horses, but in rare cases may cause severe neurologic signs.
Rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHDV2) is a fatal disease of rabbits and is considered a foreign animal disease in the US. This is a non-zoonotic disease, affecting both wild and domestic rabbits. It is now considered "Stable endemic" in Wyoming. Testing rabbits is key to monitoring the disease spread.
Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory
1174 Snowy Range Rd
Laramie, WY 82070
Phone: 307-766-9925
Toll Free: 1-800-442-8331
Fax: 307-721-2051
Email: vetrec@uwyo.edu
1000 E. University Ave. Laramie, WY 82071
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