The Arkansas Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (VDL) in Little Rock supports the diagnosis of companion, livestock, poultry, and aquatic farm animal diseases, and assists practicing veterinarians in the achievement of their disease control programs. The VDL strives to provide high quality and legally defensible diagnostic results in a timely, efficient, and professional manner.
The laboratory services include post-mortem examinations and bacteriological, chemical, serological, and virological tests. Laboratory findings help a broad array of constituents to ensure the wellness of their animals.
The VDL cooperates closely with the Department’s Animal Health Division for validation and determining next steps if an animal disease outbreak has occurred or if there is a disease issue of concern. The VDL is our first line of defense in monitoring and identifying potential animal disease outbreaks in the field.
The VDL has completed the addition of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s Tollett Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in Fayetteville under its National Animal Health Laboratory Network participation agreement as a branch lab for federal program diseases of concern to the poultry industry.
Accreditation and Memberships
The lab is accredited by the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation for the activities listed on A2LA Scope of Accreditation 4109.01, which is in compliance with the International Standard ISO/IEC 17025:2017.
The Arkansas VDL is a member of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network, Veterinary Laboratory Investigation and Response Network (Vet-LIRN), and National Poultry Improvement Program (NPIP).
Notices
May 20, 2025 – Notice: Essential Sample Submission Guidelines for State Fair Show Animals
October 28, 2024 – Notification of Changes at the Arkansas Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
June 18, 2024 – Notification of Changes to Shipping Policies
An update about porcine brucellosis and pseudorabies sample submissions and accommodations for swine exhibition serology testing:
An Arkansas porcine serology chart is required for porcine brucellosis and pseudorabies sample submissions. A federal brucellosis chart can be used for that disease only. Samples will not be tested until the relevant chart is received. See notes for brucellosis buffered acidified plate antigen (BAPA) test and brucellosis card test. Tests are performed on Mondays only. The updated sample submission cutoff is 8 a.m. on Monday. Samples submitted after the cutoff time will be held until the next scheduled day.
During the state fair season, a second day of testing will be offered on Thursday with an 8 a.m. cutoff submission time. Samples submitted after the cutoff time will be held until the next scheduled day. Please see the policy above for testing beyond the state fair season.
ALL results will be released during the next business day following testing.
ALL positive samples must be sent to the National Veterinary Services Laboratory for confirmation, and turnaround times are subject to their schedule.
Contact Us
Address: 1 Natural Resources Drive, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205
Main Lab Phone: (501) 823-1730
After-Hours Assistance: (501) 773-2456
Lab Receiving Email: [email protected]
Hours of Operation
Business hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The laboratory is closed on the following holidays:
- New Year’s Day
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- Presidents’ Day
- Memorial Day
- Independence Day
- Labor Day
- Veterans Day
- Thanksgiving Day (Friday after Thanksgiving may be proclaimed by the Governor)
- Christmas Eve
- Christmas Day
Note: If a holiday falls on Saturday, the Friday before will be observed. If a holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday will be observed.
After-Hours and Weekend Assistance
Samples and companion animal bodies can be left in the refrigerator located on the loading dock after normal operating hours. The refrigerator is offered as a convenience to the public and is not secure.
If you need to submit a large animal for disposal or necropsy after hours, please call the on-call veterinary specialist at (501) 773-2456.
Directions
From I-630 or I-430, exit onto Shackleford Road. Go north and turn right (east) onto Markham. Just past the first light, turn left (north) onto Natural Resources Drive. Follow the “AR Veterinary Diagnostic Lab” signs.
