Prairie Diagnostic Services

Prairie Diagnostic Services PDS is a full service veterinary diagnostic laboratory located in Saskatoon, SK

Pink Inclusions - What Are You Seeing?Guinea pig blood smear + mononuclear cells with bright pink inclusions = Kurloff c...
04/17/2026

Pink Inclusions - What Are You Seeing?

Guinea pig blood smear + mononuclear cells with bright pink inclusions = Kurloff cells.

They definitely stand out under the microscope!

Not sure what you’re looking at? Send it our way, we’re happy to help!

Sensitive content warning - image of brain for scientific purposes.Case Spotlight: Neurologic Disease in a Senior DogA s...
04/16/2026

Sensitive content warning - image of brain for scientific purposes.

Case Spotlight: Neurologic Disease in a Senior Dog
A senior spayed Boston Terrier with a year-long history of seizures presented with an acute 2-week decline, including lethargy and refusal to eat or drink.

Gross Findings:
Small intracranial fluid accumulation
Opaque material on the ventral aspect of the brain: on cut section, a soft gelatinous mass with hemorrhage was noted (see picture)

Histopathology:
A highly cellular, infiltrative mass located near the optic chiasm and extending into the diencephalon.
High mitotic activity (up to 15/HPF)
Cellular atypia, necrosis, and hemorrhage
-> Features consistent with an aggressive primary brain tumor

Take-Home Message:
In older dogs, especially brachycephalic breeds, chronic seizures + acute neurologic decline should strongly prompt consideration of intracranial neoplasia"

“Not Your Typical Case”This case had an unexpected twist!A dog brought to Canada from Peru came in with breathing proble...
03/25/2026

“Not Your Typical Case”

This case had an unexpected twist!

A dog brought to Canada from Peru came in with breathing problems and fluid in the chest. Under the microscope, we found parasite eggs (Spirocerca lupi)—something rarely seen here.

Travel history matters more than you think!

Thank you to all the students and staff of WCVM that stopped by our booth last Wednesday for VIP day!
03/23/2026

Thank you to all the students and staff of WCVM that stopped by our booth last Wednesday for VIP day!

Fungal hyphae on a histology slide? (Periorbital fungal infection from a young cat; GMS stain)
03/23/2026

Fungal hyphae on a histology slide?
(Periorbital fungal infection from a young cat; GMS stain)

We presented at the Canada West Swine Health Intelligence Network (CWSHIN) Knowledge Exchange Meeting on several less co...
03/05/2026

We presented at the Canada West Swine Health Intelligence Network (CWSHIN) Knowledge Exchange Meeting on several less common swine viruses, including Porcine Astrovirus 3, Porcine Astrovirus 4, Porcine Parainfluenza Virus, Atypical Porcine Pestivirus, Porcine Sapelovirus, and Porcine Teschovirus. The presentation reviewed their clinical presentations, pathology, pathogenesis, and diagnostic approaches. PCR assays for these viruses are available at PDS.

Sickle Cells… in a Deer?We spotted red blood cells in a deer that looked like sickle cells under the microscope.Is it di...
03/02/2026

Sickle Cells… in a Deer?

We spotted red blood cells in a deer that looked like sickle cells under the microscope.

Is it disease? Normal for the species/breed? Or just an artifact?

Blood smears can surprise you — but don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!

We attended the Beef and Forage Forum, where we presented a couple of research ideas to Saskatchewan beef producers and ...
02/26/2026

We attended the Beef and Forage Forum, where we presented a couple of research ideas to Saskatchewan beef producers and members of the research community. Diagnostic research is one of our mandates, and innovation is one of our core values. 🐮

A powerful example of BovReproSeq, a PDS-designed sequencing panel that detects 17 common pathogens associated with bovi...
02/20/2026

A powerful example of BovReproSeq, a PDS-designed sequencing panel that detects 17 common pathogens associated with bovine reproductive failure (and more):

A cow herd was experiencing a high number of open cows and abortions. The producer was unable to collect fetuses or placentas, and the only available specimen was vaginal discharge. The veterinarian was uncertain which tests to request. We recommended BovReproSeq, which detected a significant amount of Campylobacter fetus venerealis (Cfv)—a clinically important finding.

Without BovReproSeq, detection of Cfv would likely have been missed or significantly delayed.

Happy Valentines Day from our Clinical Pathology lab! 🔬❤️
02/13/2026

Happy Valentines Day from our Clinical Pathology lab! 🔬❤️

PDS will be closed on Monday, February 16th for Family Day. We wish you a wonderful long weekend! Photo credit: Happy Fa...
02/12/2026

PDS will be closed on Monday, February 16th for Family Day. We wish you a wonderful long weekend!

Photo credit: Happy Family Day Vectors by Vecteezy

Address

52 Campus Drive
Saskatoon, SK
S7N5B4

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+13069667316

Website

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