All services available from WVDL have been consolidated into three Laboratory Sections (Microbiology, Pathology/Toxicology, Virology). This has allowed us to streamline some of our in-lab procedures and to improve and simplify lab test ordering by clients. The majority of diagnostic services are available at our Madison location. The Barron Laboratory offers full pathology services and many infectious disease diagnostics with an emphasis on the diseases of poultry.

WVDL is staffed by highly trained specialists in veterinary laboratory medicine. Many have completed advanced training in microbiology, immunology, chemistry, pathology, and/or toxicology. These people work closely with veterinarians and colleagues at UW-Madison and other diagnostic laboratories to provide diagnostic assistance on problems related to infectious disease, genetic defects, nutritional deficiencies, and poisonings.

The microbiology section provides diagnostic services for bacterial, parasitic, and fungal diseases. Staff microbiologists culture various specimens, including animal tissues, swabs, milk and urine to isolate and identify disease producing organisms. Special diagnostics, such as serologic testing and molecular diagnostics for various diseases are also performed in this section.

When requested, tests are performed on the bacteria that are isolated to determine which antibiotics will be useful for treating the disease.

Staff pathologists provide disease diagnostics and related information through the gross and microscopic examination of animals and/or tissue specimens. The pathologists receive test results generated by the various laboratory sections, interpret this information in light of their own findings, and compile it in comprehensive diagnostic reports.

The toxicology section examines tissues, feeds, and other biological and environmental samples for a variety of poisons or other toxic substances and analyzes the nutrient content of tissues and feeds. This section also performs various chemical determinations on blood, serum, and urine samples.

Drugs Detected by Toxi-Lab System
Toxicology FAQ
Normal Range Values for Toxicology

WVDL Pathology Section Tests and Fees.pdf is formatted for printing.

The virology section provides diagnostic information by detecting viruses in tissues, serum, feces, and other samples using a variety of specialized techniques, including electron microscopy.

Workers in this section also detect the presence of antibodies against viruses by utilizing a variety of serologic tests. The presence of these antibodies may indicate that an animal has been infected with a particular virus, even in the absence of current clinical disease.