Pennsylvania Animal Diagnostic Laboratory System
PADLS About PADLS

About PADLS

The Pennsylvania Animal Diagnostic Laboratory System (PADLS) is a tripartite system which joins together the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, the Pennsylvania State University and the University of Pennsylvania and is dedicated to the health, safety and welfare of families here and abroad.

The Pennsylvania Animal Diagnostic Laboratory System (PADLS) was established by the Pennsylvania Animal Health and Diagnostic Commission (AHDC) in 1991 in order to provide rapid and accurate diagnostic assistance to veterinarians involved with food-fiber animals, equine, aquaculture and wildlife. PADLS exists for the purpose of protecting animals and humans from health threats by providing accurate diagnoses to assist Pennsylvania's agricultural community in controlling diseases to minimize economic loss.

Objectives of PADLS

In an effort to identify and prevent disease problems, PADLS seeks to accomplish the following objectives:

• Provide an early warning for impending epizootics and rapid accurate identification of infectious disease.
• Identify infectious and contagious diseases as quickly as possible by providing accurate diagnostic tests.
• Identify chemicals and contaminants that threaten animal and human health, and agriculture.
• Assist in the diagnosis of nutritional and metabolic problems.
• Perform testing necessary to support federal and state regulatory programs.
• Perform testing necessary for the export of animals and animal byproducts.

Laboratories and Field Investigations

PADLS Locations

PADLS provides a field investigation team of veterinary diagnosticians with bases of operation at PADLS-Penn State and PADLS-New Bolton Center. This field investigation team is available when practitioners of veterinary medicine need support on difficult problems in the field. The team is also activated when there is suspicion of any outbreak of diseases that may threaten Pennsylvania agriculture.

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