Analyzing veterinary samples in a microbiology laboratory

Veterinary laboratory testing is a growing field in diagnostic laboratory medicine. Pet owners and herd managers alike are requesting or allowing cultures to be performed, and veterinarians are expecting pertinent and clinically relevant results. One laboratory area that differs significantly from veterinary to human medicine is microbiology. To provide quality service to the veterinary community, laboratory personnel must learn the differences between veterinary and human microbiology and be willing to give the same level of service and expertise to veterinary patients that they provide to human patients. This is the second article in a four-part continuing education update series on microbiology. Other articles focus on public health laboratories, bread making, and food safety.