1. Industry and Investment NSW (Primary Industries) Regional Veterinary Laboratory

NATA accredited (to ISO 17025) and offering a wide range of diagnostic services for various animal species in addition to standard parasitology testing. Other laboratories in the  Primary Industries laboratory system also provide tests for crops, pasture, soil and water.

Standard parasitology service:
WormTest - 'Gold' or 'Basic', with kits available through rural merchandisers and Livestock Health and Pest Authorities (www.lhpa.org.au/) or direct from the labs. Service is two bulk counts ('Basic') or 10 individual worm egg counts. Larval differentiation ('worm type') and fluke egg counts or blood tests are available also.

Egg count results are reported within 24 hours of samples arriving at the laboratory.

Larval differentiation results sent 10 days after samples arrive.

Other parasitology services:
Other services include individual worm egg counts, drench resistance testing, total worm counts.

Phone: (02) 4640 6327
Fax: (02) 4640 6400

Feedback
Email: menangle.rvl@dpi.nsw.gov.au

http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/aboutus/services/das/veterinary

2. Private laboratories

Veterinary Health Research (VHR)  at Armidale also provides parasitology services.

Phone: 02 6770 3200
Fax: 02 6772 5184

Website: http://www.vhr.com.au/

Worm monitoring kits:

• Worm test - This test provides an egg count, larval differentiation (worm type) and veterinary advice specific to the results. An initial report and recommendation (based on egg count only) is sent on the day which the samples arrive, followed by a final report and recommendation (based on larval differentiation results) 7-10 days later (species dependant)
• Worm and Fluke test - As above, with the inclusion of a fluke test (egg count) and recommendation included in the initial report
• Culture only - Larval differentiation only performed
• Fluke only - Fluke test only.

Reports are distributed by email or fax upon completion (posted if necessary) and are available immediately on the VHR website. Clients are able to contact VHR for individual passwords to view their own results as well as regional bench-marking statistics.

Drench resistance test kits are a complete and fully supported tool that enables graziers to test all drench groups (including one combination) on-farm. Included in the package is a full interpretation of the results by VHR veterinarians.

Trace element deficiency test kits enable farmers to test the Selenium, Copper and Cobalt status of their property (the three trace elements most likely to be deficient under Australian conditions). A full recommendation is included in the final report.

FECPAK units are also available for producers to conduct their own on farm egg counts.

Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga
Information from their website (http://www.csu.edu.au/faculty/science/savs/diagnostic-lab/ ):

The Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (VDL) at the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University is presently under construction in Nathan Cobb Drive on the Wagga Wagga Campus of the university and is expected to be fully operational by October 2009.

The VDL will be a highly secure state of the art facility built around the post mortem room, which will cater for all animals, ranging from small birds, wildlife and pets through to farm livestock and horses.  Ancillary laboratories will perform a full range of testing in histopathology, parasitology, microbiology, molecular biology, haematology, biochemistry and cytology.

It is our hope that the VDL will provide a comprehensive diagnostic service to veterinarians from southern New South Wales and north eastern Victoria.  The only specimens that will be received directly from animal owners will be those for parasitology, particulary from farm livestock.

The VDL will usually be open from 8.30am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday.  Emergency services will be available as needed.  Enquiries can be made by telephoning (02) 693 34000 or by emailing vdl@csu.edu.au.

3. Veterinary advice

• District Veterinarians - Livestock Health and Pest Authorities (www.lhpa.org.au/)
• Private veterinary practitioners
• Veterinary Consultants
• Veterinary Health Research Armidale (phone 02 6771 1358)