About Us

Mission Statement

The Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (CVMDL) is a division of the University of Connecticut's Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. The mission of CVMDL is to provide laboratory diagnostic and consultation service, as well as state and federal regulatory surveillance testing for the diseases of agricultural, avian, companion, laboratory wildlife and aquatic animal species. In addition, the scientists providing this service also spend part of their time in extension work and research on improved diagnostic tests and disease epidemiology, pathogenesis and prevention.

The laboratory is supported by state funding through the Connecticut Department of Agriculture, the University of Connecticut, and revenues from diagnostic tests and services. The laboratory works closely with Connecticut and regional state veterinarians; the Connecticut Departments of Agriculture, Public Health, and Environmental Protection; USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS); the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (AAVLD); private practicing veterinarians; animal producers; the livestock and animal industry; and other divisions of the university including microchemistry, pharmacy, biological sciences, agriculture, and the medical school.

The Diagnostic Laboratory is divided into two sections: Diagnostic Pathology and Diagnostic Testing Services. The latter provides bacteriology, parasitology, serology, and virology testing for a variety of species. Toxicology tests are performed by our associated Microchemistry Laboratory on the UConn-Storrs campus. The laboratory is accredited by the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians and is approved by USDA/APHIS to perform official tests. The Diagnostic Pathology Service includes both biopsy and necropsy diagnosis provided by American College of Veterinary Pathologists (ACVP) board-certified pathologists and veterinarians training in pathology.

The Laboratory is geared to respond to current and emerging disease problems and is currently providing diagnostic and extension services for official state control programs in mastitis, brucellosis, salmonellosis and avian influenza, pullorum disease and mycoplasmosis. Testing programs for locally important and emerging diseases such as Lyme disease, West Nile virus encephalitis, chronic wasting disease and others are continually being added. When unusual disease conditions arise, veterinarians are encouraged to consult the laboratory and special efforts, including farm visits and extra tests, will be provided to help solve such problems.