Veterinary Services

SAC offers laboratory diagnostic services at its eight disease surveillance centres. Each centre is staffed by a team of skilled veterinary, scientific and support staff who can provide you with a comprehensive range of diagnostic facilities and tests across a wide range of disciplines. Each centre is connected electronically to our Central Analytical Laboratory (CAL).

A comprehensive range of competitively priced tests and services covering:

Post Mortem Examination

Each centre has a fully equipped post mortem room for all farm animal species. Gross necropsies are performed and samples are tested either locally or at one of our associated laboratories for more specialist tests.

Clinical Biochemistry, Haematology

We can provide you with rapid results in biochemistry on bloods from urgent clinical cases. Samples for monitoring, eg trace elements are sent to the CAL or specialist SAC laboratory.

Bacteriology, Virology

All centres can perform routine bacteriology and sensitivity testing on tissues, faeces, milk, rectal swabs etc and undertake fluorescent antibody tests for respiratory viruses. Virus isolation is referred to the Moredun Research Institute.

Parasitology

Routine worm egg counts are performed at local Centres while anthelmintic resistance and total worm egg counts are dealt with centrally.

Serology, Molecular Biology

We provide an extensive serology service testing for major disease e.g., Brucella, BVD, MV/CAE, L. Hardjo, EAE and Toxoplasma. At the molecular biology level we offer scrapie genotyping in sheep and PCR based tests for specific pig pathogens.

• Rapid reporting of fully Interpreted results by telephone/fax, post or email
• Quality controlled results (subscribers to MAFF and RIQAS quality assurance schemes)
• Specialist advice and information for SAC customers
• Free technical notes and newsletters for SAC customers
• National Disease Intelligence
• Courier service (some areas)

labPortal

Clients can now access reports and results on labPortal, SAC’s secure laboratory data publishing website.  Use the link on the right to log in to the database.

For further information, use the map on the right to contact your local veterinary centre.