We use several laboratories, such as the VLA Carmarthen, to help with further diagnostics, to include:

• Herd BVD eradication programmes
• Metabolic profile bloods for monitoring nutrition of dairy cows
• Trace element status within a herd or flock

Where possible, however, we try to do the further diagnostic tests ourselves in our own Farm Animal Laboratory. This reduces turn-around time, is usually cheaper and also has the advantage of immediate testing rather than a postage induced delay.

Common “in house” Tests

• Mastitis Bacteriology and Sensitivity
• Blood Biochemistry (for example Calcium and Magnesium blood levels in a down cow)
• Worm and Fluke egg counts (including resistance testing for worms)
• Coccidial oocyst counts
• Neonatal calf scour tests (rotavirus / coronavirus / e. coli K99 / cryptosporidiosis)
• Total Protein as a measure of colostral transfer in the neonate amongst others.