Veterinary diagnostics
High quality testing for livestock and companion animals
SRUC Veterinary Services offers quality-assured farm and companion animal clinical pathology, histopathology and post mortem services. We provide a rapid turnaround of test results, with full interpretation either by email or web portal, and provide specialist advice to veterinary surgeons throughout the UK.
Our friendly veterinary investigation officers all have a broad knowledge of animal health and production systems, and many have further specialist qualifications. They are supported by an experienced team of laboratory scientists and technical staff.
In our modern laboratory facilities, we test in the areas of clinical biochemistry, haematology, serology, molecular biology (virus detection), microbiology, histopathology, cytology and parasitology.
We offer on-site post mortem examinations for all species at our Disease Surveillance Centres and in partnership with University of Glasgow Vet School, as well as a companion animal, wildlife and forensic post mortem examinations at Pentlands Science Park outside Edinburgh. We can also provide health planning advice for livestock units on a commercial basis, working with the veterinary practice that is providing primary veterinary care.
The Scottish Government provides funding to support investigations of complex or unusual livestock disease outbreaks. This allows our Veterinary Investigation Officers to carry out more in-depth projects into disease syndromes that could impact herds and flocks on a national scale. To do this we might visit a farm and work with the local veterinary practice in order to collect more information on cases where the disease presentation is atypical or the cause is not clear.
Sending samples
Please send diagnostic samples to: SRUC Veterinary Services, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, Midlothian, EH26 0PZ.
Please send PCHS and PSGHS samples to: SRUC Veterinary Services, Greycrook, St Boswells, TD6 0EQ.
Get in touch using our contact page.
Find out more about our services
Vet & laboratory services
Our leading experts provide support to clients in areas animal disease, diagnosis and surveillance.
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Our consultants in 25 offices across Scotland and northern England turn research into advice and advantage for business and public sector alike.
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General sampling advice
Collecting the right samples and selecting the most suitable tests are crucial when investigating a disease problem or assessing the health status of an animal or group. To help you make the right choices and keep your samples in optimal condition for testing we have created a series of guides below.
- Sampling guide
- Investigation modules for veterinary surgeons
- Bovine abortion sampling guidelines
- Ovine abortion sampling guidelines
- Sheep scab management and treatment
- Sample collection and submission advice (companion animals)
- Sample collection and submission advice (livestock)
- Veterinary Services test methods
- Royal Mail guidelines for sending samples