Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory

The **Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (WVDL)**, located in Madison, WI, is a critical component of the state’s infrastructure for promoting animal health, public well-being, and the vitality of Wisconsin's vital agricultural economy. As a facility administered by the Universities of Wisconsin–Madison, the WVDL operates with a mission to deliver high-quality veterinary diagnostics and exemplary customer service.

While often working behind the scenes for veterinarians, livestock producers, and government agencies, the WVDL’s advanced capabilities and deep expertise are directly available to support individual pet owners, typically through their primary care veterinarian. The laboratory is a trusted source for accurate and timely information concerning the diagnosis and monitoring of animal health and disease surveillance across the state. They house state-of-the-art diagnostic technologies, essential for rapid disease identification and management in various sectors, from the dairy industry to companion animal health.

For Wisconsin families facing serious health crises with their beloved pets, the WVDL facility can be a place of both advanced treatment and profound emotional support. As noted by customer reviews, the facility hosts expert staff, including specialists like oral surgeons, and the entire care team is often described as extremely nice, kind, and sympathetic during highly emotional times. The high level of communication—explaining complex medical situations in understandable terms—is a consistent highlight of the staff's dedication.

Furthermore, the WVDL is not only focused on diagnostics and advanced care but also offers compassionate support services, notably **Pet Cremations** and a **Pet Memorial** service. This demonstrates a comprehensive approach to animal care, recognizing the human-animal bond and providing resources for families during end-of-life decisions, an essential service that clients have deeply appreciated during tragic times like unexpected renal failure.

The combination of a world-class diagnostic laboratory—recognized nationally as a core facility in the National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN)—with dedicated, compassionate support for individual pet cases makes the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory an invaluable, albeit specialized, resource for the entire Wisconsin community.

The Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory is strategically located on the University of Wisconsin–Madison campus, providing easy access to state-of-the-art facilities and expertise. The location is designed to be accessible to all clients, whether they are bringing in a sample or visiting a specific on-site service.

• **Address:** Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, 445 Easterday Ln, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
• **Parking:** The facility is equipped with a **Wheelchair accessible parking lot** to ensure convenient and secure access.
• **Physical Accessibility:** The building features a **Wheelchair accessible entrance** and a **Wheelchair accessible restroom**, accommodating all visitors.
• **Amenities:** A clean **Restroom** is available for client use.
• **Planning:** **Appointments are recommended** for specialized services or consultations, which is the best way to ensure the availability of highly specialized staff.

The WVDL’s services are highly specialized, focusing on laboratory testing, disease investigation, and critical support for animal health across all species in Wisconsin. Their offerings are distinct from a typical neighborhood veterinary clinic.

• **Comprehensive Lab Testing:** Provides **Lab Testing**, **Health Diagnostic Testing**, and specific procedures like **Bacterial Culture** and **Skin Scraping**.
• **Disease Control and Investigation:** Core services include specialized **Disease Investigation** and overall **Disease Control** to protect both animal and public health.
• **Pathology Services:** Offers critical **Pathology Service** for accurate diagnosis of complex or unknown conditions.
• **Equine Testing:** A specific and common service is the **Coggins Test**, a vital requirement for equine health and travel.
• **Emergency and Advanced Care Support:** While not a primary emergency room, the facility provides **Emergency Services** for referred, complex cases, and advanced diagnostic support.
• **Sample Management:** Includes services for **Blood Collection**, analysis of **Water Samples**, and specialized **Transportation Services** for samples.
• **Business and Veterinary Support:** Offers essential **Business Services** and **Veterinary Supplies** to support external veterinary practices and the state's agricultural sector.
• **Grief and Memorial Services:** Provides compassionate end-of-life options, including **Pet Cremations** and support for a lasting **Pet Memorial**.

The WVDL is a unique and valuable resource in Wisconsin, with features that far exceed those of a standard animal hospital:

• **Academic and State Affiliation:** The laboratory is administered by the **Universities of Wisconsin–Madison**, granting it access to cutting-edge research, doctoral-level specialists, and a national reputation for excellence.
• **National Animal Health Importance:** The Madison lab is a designated **National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) Level 1 laboratory**, a partnership with the USDA that protects the nation's food supply and animal agriculture from biological threats.
• **Specialized On-Site Expertise:** The facility provides access to highly specialized veterinarians, such as oral surgeons, making it a referral destination for Wisconsin vets when pets require niche, advanced procedures.
• **Client-Centered Compassion:** Despite its high-tech, academic nature, the staff is consistently praised by pet owners for their extreme kindness, empathy, and clear communication during emotionally fraught health crises.
• **End-of-Life Support:** The provision of respectful **Pet Cremations** and **Pet Memorial** services ensures families have a compassionate place to turn during the most difficult of times.
• **Focus on Public Health:** A core function is not just **Animal Health** but the direct promotion of **public health** through disease surveillance and control, protecting the entire Wisconsin community.

For veterinarians, producers, or pet owners in Wisconsin requiring diagnostic services, specialized consultation, or information on memorial services, the contact details are:

• **Address:** Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, 445 Easterday Ln, Madison, WI 53706, USA
• **Phone:** (608) 262-5432

For Wisconsin residents, choosing the WVDL, typically by referral from a local veterinarian, means accessing a level of diagnostic and specialist care that is unparalleled in a standard veterinary setting. The single most compelling reason to value this institution is its **fusion of world-class, state-of-the-art diagnostic science with deeply compassionate patient and client care**.

The WVDL is where Wisconsin’s most complex or life-threatening animal health issues are often resolved, thanks to its specialized **Pathology Service** and advanced **Health Diagnostic Testing**. When a pet is seriously ill or requires a niche specialist like an oral surgeon, the WVDL provides a necessary regional hub of expertise. Moreover, the dedication of the staff, who maintain “amazing” communication and provide immense emotional support during crises, is a testament to the facility's commitment to the family as a whole. While it may not be your first stop for routine vaccines, the WVDL is an essential, highly recommended resource for the most critical and complex veterinary needs in the state of Wisconsin, offering both a chance at healing and a comforting farewell.

Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory

Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, 445 Easterday Ln, Madison, WI 53706, USA