Livestock & Poultry

Safeguarding human and animal health, assuring food safety and quality, and promoting Arkansas livestock and poultry industries for the benefit of our citizens

Veterinary Diagnostic Lab

The Arkansas Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (AVDL) offers reliable, affordable, and convenient testing to help maintain both companion and production animal health for veterinarians and livestock producers throughout Arkansas. Hours of operation are from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, excluding state holidays.

The lab is accredited by the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation for the activities listed on A2LA Scope of Accreditation 4109.01, which is in compliance with the International Standard ISO/IEC 17025:2005. See our Scope of Accreditation, here. We are a member of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN), the Veterinary Laboratory Investigation and Response Network (Vet-LIRN), and the National Poultry Improvement Program (NPIP).

Contact AVDL
Phone: 501-823-1730
Fax: 501-907-2410

After hours: Contact the on-call pathologist at 501-773-2456 to make arrangements to drop off necropsy specimens after hours. This line is only available for after-hours necropsy services and is not answered during regular business hours.

Notices:

Resumption of Large Animal Necropsy Services- EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY (AUGUST 15th, 2023)

The Arkansas Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory is pleased to announce the resumption of large animal necropsy services. This includes livestock (cattle, sheep, goats, swine), equines, and camelids.

Please contact the laboratory at 501-823-1730 before bringing large animal remains for necropsy.

An update about Porcine Brucellosis and Pseudorabies Sample Submissions, and Accommodations for Swine Exhibition Serology Testing.

An Arkansas Porcine Serology Chart is required for porcine brucellosis and pseudorabies sample submissions.  A Federal Brucellosis Chart can be used for that disease only.  Samples will not be tested until the relevant chart is received. See notes for Brucellosis BAPA test and Brucellosis Card Test. Tests are performed on Mondays only. The updated sample submission cutoff is 8 a.m. Monday. Samples submitted after the cutoff time will be held until the next scheduled day. 

During the State Fair Show Season, a second day of testing will be offered on Thursday with an 8 a.m. cutoff submission time. Samples submitted after the cutoff time will be held until the next scheduled day. Please see the policy above for testing beyond the state fair season. 

ALL results will be released during the next business day following testing. 
ALL positive samples will be sent to NVSL for confirmation, and turnaround times are subject to their schedule.

Waiver of Confidentiality

Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory

Veterinary Diagnostic Lab Forms

Rabies Submissions and Testing

Rabies testing is NOT performed at the Veterinary Diagnostic Lab (AVDL), but by the Health Department (ADH) for no charge to the public. You may directly submit specimens to ADH. They will only accept the heads, or brains, of any animals except small mammals, such as bats, mice, or squirrels which may be submitted whole. Additional information may be found on their website: www.healthy.arkansas.gov.

Rabies only submissions must be accompanied by an AVDL submission form AND an ADH submission form. Testing will be delayed until a completed form is received by the Vet. Diag. Lab. Rabies only submissions to AVDL will incur both a current Disposal fee (based on the animal’s weight) and a Courier fee to forward to ADH.

For the Safety of our lab employees, PLEASE complete the Zoonotic Disease portion of the AVDL submission form.

Animals requiring Rabies testing that are submitted for our full Necropsy service, do not incur the additional charges, as they are covered under the necropsy charge.

Accredited Certificate Number 4109.01