Disease Investigations & Diagnostics

At Mt Barker Veterinary Hospital, we offer a comprehensive range of diagnostic and disease investigation services for cattle, sheep, goats, and alpacas. Whether you’re facing unexplained deaths, fertility issues, poor growth, production losses, disease outbreaks, or just have concerns about an individual animal, our experienced veterinarians can help you get to the root of the problem — fast.

In-House Diagnostics

We provide a wide range of on-site diagnostic testing for rapid results and immediate treatment decisions, including:

  • Blood biochemistry and haematology
  • Urinalysis
  • Faecal egg counts (FECs)
  • Digital radiography (X-ray)
  • Ultrasound (including pregnancy and reproductive scanning)
  • Endoscopy
  • Post Mortem Examination

These tools allow us to quickly assess health, detect abnormalities, and guide treatment.

External Laboratory Testing

For more specialised or complex cases, we collaborate with accredited external laboratories to access a broad range of advanced diagnostics, including:

  • Liver fluke testing
  • Brucellosis testing (in rams)
  • Johne’s disease screening
  • Trace mineral and vitamin analysis (e.g. copper, selenium, cobalt, B12)
  • Water and feed quality testing (digestibility, DE, protein, mineral content, mycotoxins)
  • Bacterial culture and sensitivity
  • Histopathology, virology, and toxicology
  • Morphology testing (e.g. semen evaluation)
  • Fertility investigations (e.g. BVDV, Leptospirosis, Neospora, Campylobacter, Vibriosis)
  • Post-mortem sample testing - Note: For eligible cases (e.g. neurological signs or multiple animals affected), government co-funding may be available. Please contact us for details.
  • And more — we can coordinate a wide variety of additional diagnostic tests depending on your specific herd or flock needs

Early and accurate diagnosis is crucial for minimising stock losses, improving productivity, and safeguarding the long-term health of your animals. Contact us to discuss your concerns or to arrange diagnostic testing for your large animals. 

 
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