ImmunoDX/Serology

Caprine (goat) and Ovine (sheep)

WADDL is a nationally recognized, AAVLD accredited, full-service, veterinary testing laboratory.  Our Immunodiagnostics Section Head, Dr. Jim Evermann, has worked at WADDL for over 40 years and has been instrumental in developing new tests for herd biosecurity and for disease diagnosis.  We have a dedicated and knowledgeable staff that is always willing to assist you with your testing needs.

  Our tests can help you with:

• herd health monitoring
• pregnancy status
• determining cause of abortions
• diagnosing sick animals
• maintaining biosecurity
• optimizing disease prevention strategies
• interstate and international transportation requirements
• show and sale entry requirements

What tests do I need?

We encourage you to work with your local veterinarian to determine specific testing needs. Tests can be ordered individually, as a profile, or as a screen.  Additional tests can be added to any profile or screen.

For general herd health, we offer the Small Ruminant Biosecurity Screen, which includes Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis/Ovine Progressive Pneumonia (CAE/OPP), Caseous Lymphadenitis (CL), and Johne's Disease.  The CAE & OPP tests are now collectively referred to as the small ruminant lentivirus (SRL). 

Your veterinarian may recommend additional tests based on your particular needs.

Additionally, if consuming or selling raw milk from your sheep or goats we recommend that you also test for Brucellosis and Q-fever.  Your veterinarian may consider testing your animals for tuberculosis via a skin test.  Specific requirements must be met for legal raw milk sales.  Please consult your state's Department of Agriculture or State Veterinarian for current information.

For disease diagnosis of sick animals, we have several profiles available:

• Abortion Profile
• Respiratory Profile
• Ocular Profile

For a complete list of serology tests for goats type "goats serology" or for sheep type "sheep serology" in out Web Test Search Tool.

To assist in determining what would be the most appropriate tests to run on your animals, please contact the Consulting Microbiologist at (509) 335-9696.

What do I send?

Once you find the test(s) you're interested in on our Web Test Search Tool, click on the Details tab, to find the type of specimen, volume, and type of specimen to submit. Please refer to the table above to locate the commonly used tests. 

For most serological tests we require Red Top Tubes (RRT) or Serum Separator Tubes (SST).  We do not supply testing tubes, but they can be obtained from your local veterinarian, many farm supply stores, or online.

For most individual tests, we recommend 5-7ml of blood per animal.

If sending serum only, we recommend 1 mL for testing unless noted otherwise.

When do I send?

Samples may be sent at any time and will be tested on the next scheduled test run.  We are open Monday-Friday 8am-5pm and Saturdays 8am-noon. We do not test on Saturdays but we do accept deliveries. 

Please refer to the testing schedule below for when a sample should be sent in and when a test is ran.

*Samples received on the day the test is performed will NOT be tested that day.

How do I get samples there?

We receive deliveries from Fed Ex, UPS, and the US Postal Service. WADDL has noted that there has been an increase in shipping delays through USPS. Samples that have been delayed through the USPS for over a week become untestable and a new sample may have to be sent. Due to these delays, we have begun recommending using either FedEx or UPS. These two companies deliver Monday through Saturday directly to our lab. If a client still wants to use the USPS, we encourage clients to send samples under US priority mail and get a tracking number so that they can monitor the status and check for any delays.  

Our shipping address can be found on the top of the General Accession Form

If we receive your sample on or after the set up day, we will automatically refrigerate your sample and run the sample the next testing date.  We will call you if there is a question.

What forms do I fill out?

If you are sending a sample for only one animal, please fill out our General Accession Form.  If you are sending samples for more than one animal use our General Accession Form for Multiple Animals. Please make sure that each sample is labeled with the appropriate name or animal ID that you list on the accession forms.

How much does it cost?

Please use the Web Test Search Tool, typing the test name (or "serology"), then click on the detail tab next to the test you're interested in. For a price quote, please call our office at (509)335-9696.

How do I get my results?

The fastest method to receive results is to sign up for online access. Once all the results are available, you will receive an email with a link to view and print your results.  Online access allows you to view your results as well as pay your invoices. To obtain online access, click here to fill out a request form. Please fill out the form for online access AFTER you submit your sample.

Otherwise, the default is to mail results to the address listed on the General Accession Form. If a veterinarian is listed on the accession form, the results are sent to the veterinarian.  If no veterinarian is listed, the results are mailed to the owner.

Please note that submissions from multiple owners require a separate accession form for each owner.  It is okay to send in the same box (saving on shipping) provided we receive an accession form from each owner. To ensure confidentiality, we will separate the submissions, so that each owner receives a report with their animals. 
We are not allowed to revise reports once the report is finalized since the report constitutes a legal document.

How do I pay?

First time submitters may include a check with their submission.  After you have established an account and there have been no late payments, we will mail the invoice and, if you have online access, you can also view it online.  Once you have your invoice you may pay online at Pay an Invoice.

If you have any other questions, send an email to waddl@vetmed.wsu.edu or call 509-335-9696.