Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory

11/14/2025

We are exceptionally proud of our team who have taken their dedication and work ethic to a whole new level over the past three and a half years. Over the past two years in particular, the workload demands due to the surge in avian influenza testing have meant many late nights, weekends, and holidays spent at the Laboratory. And yet our commitment to animal health stakeholders and producers is unwavering. Our entire team is committed to our mission and response efforts.

When highly pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI, first appeared in U.S. dairy cattle, it shocked the scientific community. The virus, long associated with birds, had crossed a species barrier no one anticipated. Yet in Michigan, the response framework was already underway. In the inner circle of tha...

10/03/2025

Dr. Jane Goodall inspired generations of animal health professionals, and her work and legacy will continue to guide us for generations to come.

10/01/2025

Today, we welcome our new executive director, Dr. Denise Imai-Leonard. She has spent much of her career at the University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, and we are excited to have her join (and lead!) the MSU VDL team. Please drop a comment here to help us give her a warm Spartan welcome. 💚

Animal health stakeholders and campus partners are invited to meet Dr. Imai-Leonard at an informal reception held at the Laboratory on Friday, November 14. Please see the announcement for details and a link to RSVP. ⬇

Denise Imai-Leonard, DVM, PhD, DACVP has been named the executive director of the Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (VDL). She will assume the role on October 1, 2025.

09/26/2025

We are looking forward to seeing our friends from across the mitten today and tomorrow at ! If you’re here, come visit us.

09/19/2025

Hello, Portland! 👋 We are here at the and ready to talk about your feline patients. We also have some fun prizes and giveaways. If you’re here, please stop by and see us. Let’s talk cats! 😻

09/09/2025

We've got a little secret... We've heard some great things are in store for attendees at ! Have you seen the speaker line-up? 🔥 And you know we'll be there. If you haven't registered yet, you still have time! Early registration goes through Friday, 9/12. After that, you can register on-site. We'd really love to see you. This meeting is for YOU, Michigan animal health teams!

https://bit.ly/msuvdlmivetcon2025

08/29/2025

Mosquitoes are more than a nuisance. They spread serious diseases that impact both human and animal health.

EEE was detected in a horse from Benzie County. The detection highlights the importance for all Michiganders to take precautions to protect their animals and themselves from mosquito bites. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4g1w7v1

08/25/2025

We're not closed on many holidays, but we will be closed on Monday, September 1. Have a happy and safe holiday!

https://bit.ly/msuvdl2025holidayhours

07/20/2025

We're having a great time here in DC at ! If you're here, come visit booth 2005. We'd love to see you! We're also so excited about Dr. Kent Refsal's sessions tomorrow morning. You're not going to want to miss these--add them to your schedule now!

Attend our sponsored sessions on calcium disorders in dogs and cats presented by Dr. Kent Refsal and visit us in the exhibit hall at AVMA Convention 2025.

07/09/2025

Thank you to the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) for featuring our very own Zoe Rice. We are incredibly grateful to have fellows like Zoe here at the MSU VDL.

Meet the Fellow! Zoe Rice from the Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory is a fellow in the APHL Career Pathways in Public Health Laboratory Science program, where she’s gaining hands-on experience in mass spectrometry, analytical chemistry, and method development. We are proud to support early-career scientists like Zoe as they help shape the future of public health laboratory science!

Learn more about Career Pathways in Public Health Laboratory Science: https://buff.ly/CU0ygqX

07/07/2025

is right around the corner, and we are so excited for this year's Convention! Not only will we be in the exhibit hall (hint, hint 😉), we're also sponsoring two sessions featuring our very own Dr. Kent Refsal, who will present on calcium disorders in dogs and cats. If you'll be there, you won't want to miss this chance to learn from one of our veteran experts. Get more info ⬇ and add us to your agenda!

https://bit.ly/msuvdlavma2025

06/30/2025

We're not closed on many holidays, but we will be closed on Friday, July 4. Have a happy and safe holiday!

https://bit.ly/msuvdl2025holidayhours