MU Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory

You are here: Home / Clinical Pathology / Direct Fecal Exam

Direct Fecal Exam

Lab Section Clinical Pathology
Test Description Microscopic examination of fresh feces; used to diagnose
protozoal parasites with a motile trophozoite stage (Giardia).
This test is very time-sensitive; samples should be submitted
immediately upon collection and must be microscopically
evaluated within 30 minutes of collection.
Species All

SUBMISSION DETAILS

Sample Type FRESH feces
Container Spill-proof container
Special Submission Instructions Submit sample at room temperature immediately upon sample collection.  Samples must be microscopically evaluated within 30 minutes of collection.
Turnaround time 1 business day

Message from the Director

The University of Missouri Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (VMDL) is a full-service veterinary diagnostic laboratory and Missouri’s only laboratory accredited by the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians. The VMDL is a Level I Lab of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network, Tier I Lab of the FDA Veterinary Laboratory Response Network, and a National Poultry Improvement Plan authorized lab. The VMDL maintains an effective quality assurance and quality control program.

The VMDL has formal anatomical pathology, clinical pathology, and clinical microbiology training programs. The VMDL faculty hold academic appointments in the Departments of Veterinary Pathobiology and Veterinary Biomedical Sciences. The director is administratively responsible to the dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine for the overall operation of the laboratory and its multiple missions of public service, teaching, research and continuing education/extension.

The VMDL faculty and staff work diligently to provide relevant, timely and cost-effective diagnostic services to our clients and to create a positive learning environment for our students and residents. In 2024, veterinarians, animal owners and researchers from 103 Missouri counties and cities, as well as from 51 states and provinces outside Missouri, continued to rely on the Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory’s (VMDL) diagnostic services. The lab performed approximately 63,500 total cases and conducted nearly 204,500 tests.

About the MU VMDL

The VMDL is a full-service laboratory accredited by the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (AAVLD). The VMDL provides in-depth laboratory diagnostic support to veterinary practitioners, livestock and poultry industry interests, companion animal interests, wildlife conservationists, scientists utilizing animals in their research throughout the university, state and regulatory officials, and clinicians of the MU Veterinary Health Center.

Our Location

Click to open a larger map

901 E. Campus Loop
Columbia, MO 65211

VMDL News

VMDL Annual Reports

VMDL Employment

Contact

Links