Diagnostics for the aquatic Practitioner: Services, Options, and advice

Jennifer A. Dill, DVM, DACVP
Aquatic Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Pathology,
College of Veterinary Medicine,
University of Georgia
Athens, GA
jenniferdilldvm@gmail.com

Diagnostic pathology is paramount to the screening and diagnosis of infectious agents, neoplasia, as well as nutritional or metabolic issues. Diagnostic labs also commonly assist with mortality investigations, pathogen identification, disease screening or surveillance, and research. Complicated diagnostic testing is best approached with an organized and logical plan that defines the problem, outlines the objective findings, hypothesizes what may be happening and then performs appropriate testing to formulate a diagnosis. Practitioners will be provided with information regarding in-house and external diagnostics available to them and the pertinent clinical information that can be gained in a partnership with a knowledgeable laboratory and diagnostic pathologist. Veterinary pathologists hold positions in academia, diagnostic laboratories, private practices, industry and small businesses. I will help you locate the best pathologist and ideal laboratory for your practice needs. Services available through most diagnostic laboratories include clinical pathology, which is hematology, chemistry and cytology, histopathology with both biopsy and necropsy services, bacteriology, virology, serology, molecular diagnostics, electron microscopy, and toxicology. Each specialty will be briefly reviewed with a step by step discussion on how to appropriately collect, prepare and ship samples.