Texas A&M GI Lab: What It Is, How It Helps Pets, And When Your Vet Might Use It
When your dog or cat struggles with chronic digestive problems, your veterinarian may recommend testing that goes beyond standard bloodwork. That’s where the Texas A&M Gastrointestinal Laboratory comes in—a global center where the lab's scientists use their expertise to solve medical mysteries related to digestive, liver, and pancreatic disease in dogs and cats. In fact, evidence-based diagnostics are crucial for accurate treatment, and the lab serves a large number of animal patients each year.
Overview: What The Texas A&M GI Lab Does For Dogs And Cats
The Gastrointestinal Laboratory at Texas A&M University is part of the School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences in College Station, Texas. This specialized reference laboratory serves as a global hub for veterinarians seeking to diagnose and treat gastrointestinal diseases, pancreatic disorders, and liver conditions in companion animals. The lab’s comparative approach leverages research across different species, allowing insights gained from one animal type to inform treatments in others and advancing translational medicine.
The GI Lab primarily works with veterinarians rather than pet owners directly. Clinics like Bushnell Animal Clinic send samples to the lab for advanced analysis that isn’t available in-house. The lab does not provide direct medical advice to pet owners—all samples must be submitted through a licensed veterinarian who interprets results.
Gastrointestinal disorders are among the most common health problems in pets, accounting for over 10% of all new veterinary visits for dogs and cats. The gastrointestinal system includes various organs such as the esophagus, intestines, colon, liver, and pancreas, all of which can be affected by gastrointestinal issues in different species.
At Bushnell Animal Clinic, we may recommend sending samples to the Texas A&M GI Lab when a dog or cat has chronic vomiting, persistent diarrhea, unexplained weight loss, suspected pancreatitis, or abnormal liver enzyme changes on routine bloodwork. True expertise in veterinary diagnostics is essential for interpreting these complex cases and ensuring accurate, science-based treatment plans.
How The Texas A&M GI Lab Supports Everyday Veterinary Care
The process starts at your local veterinary clinic. Dr. Roger Hart at Bushnell Animal Clinic collects blood or stool samples, packages them properly, and ships them overnight to Texas for specialized testing services and patient diagnosis.
Consider a young dog with chronic diarrhea that hasn’t responded to standard treatments. Testing through the gastrointestinal lab can reveal whether the cause is bacterial imbalance, enzyme deficiency, or inflammatory disease. Similarly, a middle-aged cat experiencing unexplained weight loss might benefit from testing that identifies vitamin B12 deficiency or early pancreatic problems.
Results typically return within a few business days, allowing veterinarians to diagnose conditions accurately rather than relying on trial-and-error approaches. This partnership complements our in-clinic diagnostics including physical exams, basic bloodwork, X-rays, and ultrasound.
Key Tests Offered By The Texas A&M GI Lab
The Texas A&M gastrointestinal laboratory offers specialized testing that helps veterinarians diagnose conditions affecting digestion, nutrient absorption—including proteins—and organ function in animals.
For dogs, key tests include:
Serum cobalamin and folate levels: assess small intestinal disease and vitamin absorption
Trypsin-like immunoreactivity (TLI): identifies exocrine pancreatic insufficiency
Pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity (PLI): helps confirm pancreatitis for prompt treatment
Dysbiosis Index: evaluates gut microbiota balance, especially when standard testing doesn’t explain ongoing diarrhea
Histopathology service: provides expert interpretation of gastrointestinal, hepatic, and pancreatic biopsy specimens for complex cases
For cats, important tests are:
Feline-specific TLI and PLI tests: aid in diagnosing pancreatic disorders
Cobalamin and folate testing: helps distinguish inflammatory bowel disease from other small intestinal problems
Selected bile acid tests: evaluate liver function when enzyme changes appear on routine bloodwork
Research Powerhouse: Why The Texas A&M GI Lab Is Globally Respected
Beyond running tests, the lab’s scientists conduct research that shapes how veterinarians worldwide diagnose and treat GI disease. The GI Lab has access to samples from around 100,000 animals a year, which significantly enhances its ability to study gastrointestinal diseases and develop diagnostic tools.
The GI Lab at Texas A&M conducts research mainly in three areas: etiology, diagnostics, and therapeutic research, with diagnostics being the largest focus area. The lab is involved in over 100 research projects at any given time, searching for better ways to aid patient recovery.
The GI Lab develops about two new diagnostic tests each year, although only 10% of these tests are found to be truly useful in practice. Roughly 30% of the lab’s active research projects are collaborative, involving work testing new drugs and working with pet food companies to develop novel diets that help manage specific diseases, alongside other universities and private enterprises.
Recently, research has included developing diagnostic tools and treatment protocols for conditions such as pancreatitis and chronic gastrointestinal diseases. Students at the GI Lab gain exposure to advanced veterinary diagnostics and clinical trials, fostering educational opportunities in veterinary medicine.
Future Directions In GI Medicine And Nutrition
The Texas A&M GI Lab continues investing in nutrition science and advanced data analysis. Many gastrointestinal diseases in pets lack effective diagnostic tests, leading to ongoing research aimed at developing new tools and treatments.
Veterinary nutritionists working with the lab help design and evaluate prescription diets for pancreatitis, chronic enteropathy, and liver disease. These are often what clinics like ours prescribe after patient diagnosis.
Future focus areas include microbiome research related to ensuring animal health, recruitment of pathologists and statisticians to analyze large case numbers, and development of updated reference ranges for early disease detection. These advancements may eventually give general practice veterinarians faster tests and more personalized nutrition plans for dogs and cats.
How Bushnell Animal Clinic Works With The Texas A&M GI Lab
When Dr. Hart recommends GI Lab testing, the process begins with an initial exam and in-clinic diagnostics at our Bushnell location. We’ll discuss why specialized testing is needed and what questions it may answer about your pet’s diet, body condition, or ongoing symptoms.
Sample collection involves blood, stool, or sometimes urine, properly packaged for overnight shipment to Texas. All billing and communication go through Bushnell Animal Clinic—the lab provides results directly to us, not to pet owners.
Turnaround times vary by test, typically a few business days. We combine results with physical exam findings, imaging, and your pet’s history to create a personalized treatment or nutrition plan. While the Texas A&M GI Lab provides highly specialized data, our team remains your central point of contact for interpreting results and providing ongoing wellness care, surgery, dental, and senior pet support.
When To Ask About Advanced GI Testing For Your Pet
Talk to your vet about possible GI Lab testing if your pet experiences chronic vomiting, persistent diarrhea, unexplained weight loss, refusal to eat, abdominal pain, or abnormal liver and pancreas values on standard bloodwork.
If you’re in Bushnell or surrounding Central Florida communities and notice these signs in your dog or cat, early investigation can prevent complications and improve long-term quality of life. Call Bushnell Animal Clinic to schedule an appointment or wellness exam if you’re concerned about your pet’s digestion.
