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Change in Availability of Veterinary Diagnostic Services in Massachusetts

Due to budgetary constraints, the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at UMass Amherst has been closed as of February, 2002.

Henceforth, the testing of livestock for interstate movement, when required, must be conducted at the owners expense through the services of a private veterinarian.

Private veterinarians in Massachusetts wishing to submit such samples for brucellosis or pseudorabies testing may send samples to the University of Connecticut Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at Storrs, CT (860 486 2766) or the New York State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at Ithaca, NY (607 253 3900). These services will be billed to the private veterinarian

The Bureau of Animal Health is still able to provide the service of brucellosis and pseudorabies testing when performed for regulatory purposes only relative to possible disease outbreaks. Please contact the Bureau of Animal Health in such cases so that we may assist with testing (617 626 1795).

The Bureau of Animal Health intends to continue providing support to dairy farmers and veterinarians relative to mastitis control. The Bureau is currently identifying laboratories to provide mastitis diagnostic services and the information will be provided as it becomes available.