GASTROINTESTINAL LABORATORY
The GI Lab provides specialized testing services to help veterinarians diagnose and treat gastrointestinal diseases in dogs and cats. Our testing services may help in the management of pets with vomiting, weight loss, diarrhea, loss of appetite, or poor body condition. We cannot give advice directly to pet owners due to licensure issues.
A veterinarian must submit all samples. Veterinary specialists in internal medicine certified by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) are available for consultation to discuss the interpretation of test results with submitting veterinarians and their implications for patient management.
NEWS & SUPPORTERS
VET KU – Texas A&M
2025 Internal Medicine Conference
Focus: Small Animal Gastroenterology
25 hours of continuing education delivered by internationally renowned experts!
This annual conference, held in partnership with the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Kasetsart University in Bangkok, Thailand, takes place at the Hilton in Pattaya, Thailand, from October 13–17, 2025.
Video: A Conversation with Hagler Fellow, Dr. Jody Gookin
An internationally recognized expert in gastroenterology, Dr. Jody Gookin is credited with the discovery of Tritrichomonas foetus as the most common, worldwide infectious cause of colitis in domestic cats. As a Hagler Fellow, she has been collaborating with the GI Lab. (Watch Video)
Video courtesy of the Hagler Institute for Advanced Study at Texas A&M University
Video: A Conversation with Hagler Fellow, Dr. John Cullen
Specializing in veterinary pathobiology and toxicologic pathology of the liver, Hagler Fellow John Cullen ranks as one of the world’s most accomplished and distinguished veterinary hepatopathologists. In this interview, Cullen discusses his life, career, and the purpose of his research. (Watch Video)
Video courtesy of the Hagler Institute for Advanced Study at Texas A&M University
Video: Insights from a gastroenterology expert
Jörg M. Steiner, Med Vet, Dr Med Vet, PhD, DACVIM-SAIM, DECVIM-CA, AGAF sits down with dvm360 in a video interview and shares his start in veterinary medicine, and specifically, how he pursued gastroenterology within small animal internal medicine. He also discusses how pancreatitis can differ in dogs and cats, and how it can appear the same. (Watch Video)
Video courtesy of dvm360
Video: Quick tips on understanding and treating pancreatitis
Dr. Steiner explains how most cases of pancreatitis are idiopathic. However, some things could attribute to the development of this disease and it’s important to speak to owners about certain feeding habits. He also discusses a new treatment for acute pancreatitis, conditionally approved by the Food & Drug Administration. (Watch Video)
Video courtesy of dvm360
SHIPPING NOTICES
SHIPPING NOTICE:
Packages with the GROUND LIMITED QUANTITY mark are forbidden in the FedEx Express network, as they are forbidden for transport by air. Please completely obscure or remove the GROUND LIMITED QUANTITY mark to be in compliance with IATA and DOT regulations. The mark or any part of it must not be visible at all. Each of these shipments may result in a $75,000.00 fine from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
IMPORTANT NOTICE TO INTERNATIONAL CLIENTS:
We cannot accept samples from exotic or agricultural species from outside the United States. This includes feline and canine exotic species. Additional information regarding international shipments is available under our sample requirements and histopathology pages, respectively. If you have specific questions, please contact us directly via email (gilab@cvm.tamu.edu) BEFORE shipping your samples.
WEEKEND SHIPMENTS:
We are not here to receive packages on the weekends and they will sit unattended if delivered on Saturday, Sunday, or on a holiday, even if shipped using FedEx or UPS. Shipping using USPS (US Mail) is never recommended due to delays that will affect your results. The university post office may be closed anytime the university is closed. Anytime we experience delays in receiving sample submissions, turnaround times may be extended. Click here for additional instructions.
Confused about Lipase Assays? Recently, questions have been asked regarding various lipase testing methods for pancreatitis. For more information, please check out our pancreatitis information.
CONTACT US
Gastrointestinal Laboratory
Dr. Jörg M. Steiner | Director
Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences
Texas A&M Veterinary Medicine
& Biomedical Sciences
4474 TAMU | College Station, TX 77843-4474
Maps & Directions | Giving to the GI Lab
Contact Us
Tel: 979.862.2861
Fax: 979.862.2864
Email: gilab@cvm.tamu.edu
