UCalgary’s Vet Med unit champions animal health and food security

Situated within the University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (UCVM) on the Spyhill campus, the Diagnostic Services Unit (DSU) stands as an indispensable partner to veterinarians and livestock producers, championing both animal health and food security. 

With a significant portion of its work dedicated to livestock health, the DSU's expertise extends to a wide range of animals, from traditional household pets to wildlife such as bears and elk, and everything in between. With an unwavering commitment to precision and innovation, the DSU plays a crucial role in diagnosing complex animal health issues, ensuring the safety and sustainability of our food systems and enhancing public health. 

Impact beyond livestock

Veterinarians like Dr. Rienske Mortier from Prairie Livestock Veterinarians in Red Deer frequently rely on the DSU for both routine and advanced diagnostic testing. A recent case at her clinic underscores the DSU's impact beyond livestock. 

When one of her clients was facing a sudden and unexplained increase in pig mortality, with multiple possible causes, Mortier reached out to the DSU. Through an in-depth look at samples, the DSU identified hydrogen sulfide intoxication as the culprit. 

This diagnosis was crucial not only for the producer and their livestock but also for the safety of barn workers, as hydrogen sulfide is toxic to both animals and humans. Armed with this critical information, Mortier's client was able to implement enhanced safety measures to protect both species.

Focus shifts through history

Historically, Alberta boasted a robust system of provincial veterinary diagnostic laboratories, starting in the 1960s. In more recent decades, Alberta Agriculture and Forestry (now Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation) shifted focus to targeted testing for reportable diseases, leading to the privatization of veterinary diagnostics. 

“This worked fine for small animal and equine testing, but private labs were too expensive for the average food animal producer,” says Dr. Lindsay Rogers, DSU program outreach co-ordinator.

"Every other Canadian province and U.S. state has some government support for livestock diagnostics, but in Alberta, many tests had to be done out of province, leading to higher costs and longer turnaround times," Rogers explains.

Expansion begins in 2011

Originally opened in 2011 to support teaching and research exclusively, the DSU has grown significantly since. A $3-million grant from the Government of Alberta in 2020 enabled an expansion into bacteriology and supported pricing for livestock submissions. An additional infusion in 2021 of $1 million from the Alberta poultry producer boards led to the creation of blood services in 2023.

The bacteriology lab, which opened in November 2021, has already made a substantial difference on antimicrobial resistance. By reducing turnaround times by several days, compared to sending samples out of province, it enables producers to commence appropriate antimicrobial therapy sooner.

Mortier emphasizes the bacteriology lab's value: "Monitoring resistance profiles over time has been an eye-opener. It's critical to stay ahead of this challenge to protect both animal and public health."

Role in the training of our future veterinarians

Beyond supporting veterinarians in the field, the DSU plays a key role in the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) curriculum, providing invaluable experiential learning for the next generation of veterinarians in Alberta. "These cases provide real-world learning experiences that prepare our students to tackle future challenges," adds Dr. Jennifer Davies, director of the DSU. 

Knowledge bases are continuously growing. For example, in the case of sudden pig deaths near Red Deer, there was very limited information about the markers of hydrogen sulfide intoxication, so the pathologist proposed to write a descriptive paper on the lesions associated with hydrogen sulfide intoxication. Mortier points out that “cases like this help the pathologists, as well as the veterinarians and producers by gathering and spreading pertinent information.”

Collaboration heightens impact

Dr. Davies underscores the importance of collaboration and knowledge-sharing. "Through partnerships between UCVM, the Government of Alberta, livestock industries, and the veterinary community, we have significantly increased diagnostic capacity in Alberta. This collaboration has been instrumental in identifying endemic diseases, new and emerging diseases, reportable animal diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and zoonotic — animal to human — diseases such as salmonella.”

While there have been wins with the establishment and growth of the DSU, continued sustainable funding is essential to maintaining high-quality, affordable, and accessible animal health diagnostic services needed by the livestock industry and government, and to meet teaching requirements as the veterinary program expands. 

Takes a commitment to sustainable funding

“Without a commitment to long-term, sustainable funding, these vital diagnostic services protecting both animal and human health could be in jeopardy,” says Dr. Davies.

The Diagnostic Services Unit stands as the bridge for advancing food safety and security, animal health and welfare, and public health and education. By providing timely and precise diagnostic services, the DSU not only safeguards the health and well-being of animals and humans but also enriches the educational experience of veterinary students. 

As the DSU continues to foster collaboration with industry partners and government, it plays an essential role in reinforcing Alberta's agricultural sector and supporting community health, exemplifying the essence of starting something impactful and enduring.