Animal pathology

Current impact on services

Our diagnostic services continue to be impacted by restricted access to the department's site at 3 Baron-Hay Court, South Perth.

Critical laboratory testing is continuing. 

Testing is prioritised based on: 

• Diagnostic testing to exclude notifiable pests and diseases. 
• Responses to high-impact pest and disease threats and incursions. 
• Surveillance for priority pests and diseases.
• Diagnostic testing to support border biosecurity controls and market access.  

Animal pathology diagnostic services

Our animal pathology diagnostic services include the following:

• Testing for disease surveillance and control.
• Testing to support export certification.
• Development of new tests. 
• Research on livestock diseases. 
• Laboratory support for research on animal production.

We are an AS ISO/IEC 17025 National Association of Testing Authorities Accredited Laboratory  (Corporate Accreditation #13724). 

How to submit a sample

For all testing enquiries or to submit specimens for testing, please follow this process: 

1. Email DDLS@dpird.wa.gov.au with details of the submission. 
2. DDLS will triage your submission and you will receive email instructions. 
3. Signage at the entrance to the South Perth site will instruct the sample courier how to proceed. 

Important: Only send samples to South Perth once we have responded to you to ensure sample integrity is maintained and how testing can be best facilitated. 

Note: Email is preferred, however, you can phone us on 08 9368 3351 to speak to a pathologist before sending an email, if necessary.

Testing and expertise

As a NATA-accredited laboratory, we offer a range of diagnostic, research and advisory services across several scientific disciplines including:

• Disease diagnosis and investigation in terrestrial and aquatic species.
• Veterinary pathology - including necropsy, histopathology, prion disease lesions and electron microscopy.
• Veterinary microbiology - including animal and aquatic bacteriology, virology, serology, mycology and mycobacteriology.
• Veterinary biochemistry - including analytical services in clinical chemistry, nutrition and toxicology.
• Veterinary parasitology.
• Veterinary molecular diagnostics.

Our testing services can help with:

• Diagnosis of disease in domestic animals, wildlife and aquatic species for private and government clients.
• Health certification of animals destined for live export from Australia.
• Disease status testing of animals imported to WA.
• Control of endemic animal diseases.
• Targeted surveillance to support risk assessment and zone freedom from animal diseases in WA.
• Research and development capability to support animal health and production programs.