Veterinary Laboratory

Berrimah Veterinary Laboratories (BVL) are National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) quality accredited laboratories.

The BVL testing and research program:

• ensures the improved health and welfare status of production animals
• ensures market access for animals / products through compliance with appropriate Australian animal health and animal welfare standards
• aids in maintaining freedom from emergency and exotic animal diseases
• enhances local and national biosecurity, with maintenance of sentinel animals for early detection of incursions of exotic viral diseases
• investigates the adoption and implementation of new diagnostic procedures.

BVL has expertise in PCR technology, as well as the traditional disciplines of a diagnostic veterinary laboratory such as gross pathology, histopathology, clinical pathology, microbiology and parasitology. As most exotic diseases are viral in nature, BVL also has a strong virology section.

BVL Services

Note: In most cases people wishing to access BVL services should do so through their local veterinarian.

BVL provides testing in a range of fields. These included:

• bacteriology
• clinical chemistry
• cytology and urinalysis
• haematology; parasitology
• gross pathology (necropsy) and histopathology
• serology
• virology and viral entomology.

Electron microscopy and some immunological tests (e.g. Chlamydia antigen and pestivirus antigen) and molecular tests (e.g. PCR) are also available.

If you are uncertain or wish to discuss the availability of a test please contact Specimen Reception on telephone 08 8999 2249.

Costs for Services

Testing for diagnostic purposes in production animals (agricultural livestock and aquaculture species) from Northern Territory properties is presently provided free of charge.

Other testing of specimens from production animals e.g. for health monitoring or research is charged for, unless arrangements are made with the laboratory in advance for funding under specified projects.

Other tests that attract a charge include:

• testing of specimens from cattle or other livestock for live cattle export
• Submissions from private veterinary practitioners from companion animals, horses, caged and aviary birds
• Wildlife.

If you are uncertain of the availability of a test and/or the charging arrangements please contact Specimen Reception on telephone 08 8999 2249.

Newsletters

For the latest Animal Health News of the Northern Territory please click here

Contacts