University of Kentucky Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory

10/20/2026

Annual UKVDL pumpkin contest.

10/16/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/14ey5ndyoBu/

The CDC has issued a nationwide health advisory after reporting a noticeable rise in human exposures to rabid or potentially rabid animals across the United States.

From July through August 2026, the CDC received 17% more rabies-related inquiries than during the same period in 2025. Importantly, this does not mean human rabies cases increased by 17%. The figure reflects increased reports, consultations and potential exposure events, including several mass-exposure incidents.

The advisory comes as multiple U.S. jurisdictions report increased encounters with animals suspected or confirmed to have rabies. At least eight state health departments also reported increases in rabies post-exposure prophylaxis — or problems with how those treatments were administered.

Pharmacy data through September 2 showed an estimated 33% increase in rabies vaccine use and a striking 76% increase in human rabies immune globulin use compared with the same period last year.

Rabies remains one of the deadliest infectious diseases known: once clinical symptoms appear, it is nearly always fatal. The good news is that infection can be prevented when appropriate post-exposure treatment is given before symptoms begin.

The CDC advises anyone bitten, scratched or potentially exposed to a rabid animal to wash the wound thoroughly and seek medical or public-health guidance promptly rather than waiting for symptoms.

Source: CDC Health Alert Network, 2026 — Nationwide Increase in Reported Human Rabies Exposures.

10/08/2026

Dear UKVDL Clients,

We are pleased to announce that Dr. Madison Conway has decided to stay with the UKVDL for a bit longer to help us with pathology cases.

Dr. Conway gained board certification in veterinary anatomic pathology in 2026. After graduating from veterinary school at the University of Minnesota, she joined the UKVDL as an anatomic pathology resident. Following residency completion, she stayed at the UKVDL and is now operating as a pathologist.

Her primary areas of interest include teaching fourth-year veterinary students, community outreach, and avian and infectious disease pathology.

10/08/2026

UKVDL Clients,
We are pleased to announce that the University of Kentucky Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (UKVDL) now has an American College of Veterinary Pathologists (ACVP) board-certified Clinical Pathologist on staff.
Dr. Melissa Swan, who has been a valued member of the UKVDL since 2021 and is well known to many of you as one of our accomplished Anatomic Pathologists, has successfully achieved ACVP board certification in Clinical Pathology. This makes her dual board-certified by the ACVP. Dr. Swan has already been serving as Head of the Clinical Pathology section while completing her advanced training and board preparation.
This achievement reflects Dr. Swan’s dedication, expertise, and commitment to excellence in veterinary diagnostic medicine. We are extremely proud of her accomplishment.

10/08/2026

UKVDL clients, this is a reminder that it is Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) season. This week Kentucky saw its first case this season, which occurred in backyard poultry, and there have been many detections in wild birds. Please see this resource from the AVMA you can share with your clients.
https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.avma.org%2Fresources-tools%2Fanimal-health-and-welfare%2Fanimal-health%2Favian-influenza%2Favian-influenza-companion-animals&data=05%7C02%7CJacqueline.Smith2%40uky.edu%7Cbe97d0be09e04fc0552b08df25552e1b%7C2b30530b69b64457b818481cb53d42ae%7C0%7C0%7C639270719899924337%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=tuLCn4k8ZCjJOTLhtR86WMF6lfEZI8UmAbzwWHsJyvg%3D&reserved=0

10/07/2026

Good news for equine practitioners and breeding operations!
Starting October 2026, UKVDL is bringing back in-house complement fixation (CF)
testing for contagious equine metritis (CEM).
The CF test detects a mare's antibody response to Taylorella equigenitalis, the
bacterium that causes CEM. It's a key part of the USDA protocol for mares imported
from GEM-affected countries and for test mares bred to imported stallions, with
post-breeding serum drawn 21 to 28 days after breeding.
Quick facts:
• Test performed by Serology section on Tuesdays.
• Turn around time: two days, with results typically reported Wednesdays.
• Samples need to be in laboratory by Tuesday 12 PM to be included in the week's
run.
• Samples must be accompanied with Form KY-78.
• Serum samples from mares only.
• Fee: $31.00 per sample
Questions? Call us at 859-257-8283 or read more at https://vdl.uky.edu/

09/21/2026

Dear UKVDL Clients,
Effective October 5, UKVDL will offer Leptospirosis Microscopic Agglutination Testing (MAT) twice weekly, on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
To be included in same-day testing, samples must be received by 9:00 a.m. on the testing day.
When submitting samples, please include the animal's Leptospira vaccination history. This information is important for accurate test interpretation and will help ensure the most appropriate assessment of results.
Please contact the lab if you have any questions- 859-257-8283.

09/17/2026

The UKVDL is announcing the addition of Urine Culture Quantification to our test offerings. This allows for a more targeted approach for identifying the presence of potential pathogens.

Understanding Companion Animal Urine Culture Quantification
The guidelines for what constitute a “positive urine culture” have changed over the years, but this month the International Society for Companion Animal Infectious Diseases (ISCAID- a society group whose members include general practitioners, internal medicine clinicians, microbiologists, pharmacologists and clinical pathologists) officially published their new consensus definitions. The Bacteriology section uses them as a baseline to ensure common terminology.
In these definitions, a “positive urine culture” is defined as isolation of a potentially pathogenic species at pure growth or with no more than two different organisms at clinically relevant levels. These guidelines define clinically relevant levels at >1,000 CFU/mL from cystocentesis samples, >10,000 CFU/mL from catheterized and >100,000 CFU/mL from voided samples.
To get the most accurate data from your cultures you can:
Submit a tube of urine rather than a swab to allow for quantification
Tell us the route of collection
Tell us if clinical signs are present
Tell us if you suspect pyelonephritis (this is critical to ensure correct MIC breakpoints are used)
There is recognition that the exact diagnostic sensitivity of these cut-offs is not currently known, and there may be times when you plan to treat based on clinical signs regardless of CFU cut off. Letting us know this can ensure you receive accurate results. We are happy to discuss any questions or concerns about a particular case and can be reached at (859) 257-8283.

More information on ISCAID definitions and the development process can be found at:

09/02/2026

https://ukjobs.uky.edu/postings/646159

The Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (UKVDL) develops and applies state-of-the-art diagnostic methodology to improve animal health and marketability, to protect the public health and to assist in the preservation of the human-animal bond thr...