Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory

Welcome to the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (VDL) at the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University.  The laboratory has been constructed in Nathan Cobb Drive on the Wagga Wagga Campus of the University and is expected to be fully operational in March 2010.

The VDL will be a highly secure facility built around the post mortem room, which will cater for all animals, ranging from small birds, wildlife and pets through to farm livestock and horses.  Ancillary laboratories will perform a full range of testing in histopathology, parasitology, microbiology, molecular biology, haematology, biochemistry and cytology.

The VDL has been built to meet undergraduate teaching needs for the senior students in the Veterinary Science program. This facility is also planned to provide:

  • Opportunities for post-graduate training and research.
  • Diagnostic pathology services to livestock producers, carers of native wildlife and owners of companion and racing animals in regional New South Wales (NSW), northern Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) through their local veterinarians.
  • Protection of the livestock industries of regional NSW, the ACT and Victoria against outbreaks of emergency animal diseases by promptly investigating unusual occurrences of disease.
  • Critical surveillance information to veterinary regulatory authorities.
  • Facilitation of the movement of livestock and livestock products interstate and overseas by carrying out certification testing.
  • Support for the livestock processing industries by carrying out regulatory testing.

Why are veterinary diagnostic services important?

Veterinary diagnostic services are very important to the nation and its livestock industries. At the individual farm level, a clinical diagnosis is often not confirmed until laboratory examinations have been performed. A rapid diagnosis of the cause of sickness or death will frequently reduce further economic losses and allow the timely implementation of control and preventative measures. At the regional and national level, accurate diagnosis of animal disease informs the surveillance programs which monitor disease occurrence and provide an early warning of an increased incidence or the appearance of a disease which has not previously been recognised in the region.

The educational, advisory and consultative roles of the diagnostic laboratory scientists are critical for maintaining a country’s capacity to respond to new and emerging threats, and to new opportunities to improve the health, welfare and food safety of animals and humans.

The VDL will usually be open from 8.30am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday.  Emergency services will be available as needed.  Enquiries can be made by telephoning (02) 6933 4000 or by emailing vdl@csu.edu.au.