North Dakota Veterinarians Provide Reliable Testing and Diagnostic Support
In partnership with: North Dakota Department of Agriculture
As the animal agriculture industry expands, so does the need for veterinary diagnostic testing and expertise. The North Dakota State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (NDSU VDL), located in Fargo, is an American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians-accredited laboratory providing comprehensive services to veterinarians, animal owners, producers and public
health agencies.
With its 28,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility, NDSU VDL has become a pillar of animal health. Faculty and staff provide an array of services, including bacteriology, virology, serology, molecular diagnostics, toxicology and pathology. These tests are critical in identifying diseases that impact animal and herd health, such as bovine respiratory disease, chronic wasting disease and zoonotic diseases like rabies or avian influenza.
“Our caseload is mostly from cow-calf operations, although we also perform tests on a high number of other species, including dogs, cats, small ruminants like sheep and goats, pigs, pocket pets, reptiles, zoo and lab animals, and horses,” says Dr. Heidi Pecoraro, who’s served as laboratory director at NDSU VDL since 2022.
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Beyond the Microscope
NDSU VDL concentrates on regional animals and diseases but also accepts cases from all over the country.
“We are experts in cow-calf ailments like bovine pneumonia, abortion, scours and mineral deficiencies,” Pecoraro says.
“In addition, all our subject matter experts – pathologists, molecular biologists, microbiologists and toxicologists – are available for consultation on any of the cases submitted to us.”
The full-service laboratory serves a vital role in diagnosing diseases in livestock, companion animals and wildlife while also contributing to innovative research and disease surveillance. Furthermore, NDSU VDL helps monitor emerging disease threats and develop strategies to mitigate them.
“The diagnostic lab staff and North Dakota Department of Agriculture work together to develop strategies for testing and identifying practical solutions to animal health disease testing and diagnosis,” says Dr. Ethan Andress, North Dakota’s state veterinarian. “Undoubtedly, NDSU VDL is an incredible asset to our state. Our citizens are fortunate to have access to a nationally recognized lab with these capabilities.”
For veterinarians, livestock producers and pet owners, the lab offers rapid, accurate diagnostic results that help inform treatment and management decisions. Additionally, it provides necropsy services for comprehensive postmortem evaluations, ensuring no detail is overlooked in uncovering the root cause of illness or mortality.
“We know that each animal that is brought to us represents a livelihood or a family, and we try to honor that by doing the best work possible,” Pecoraro says.
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