Global Veterinary Reference Laboratory Market Assessment, By Animal [Companion, Production], By Application [Clinical Pathology, Parasitology, Virology, Bacteriology, Toxicology, Others], By Technology [Clinical Chemistry, Hematology, Immunodiagnostic, Molecular Diagnostics], By Region, Opportunities and Forecast, 2018-2032F

Global veterinary reference laboratory market is projected to witness a CAGR of 8.67% during the forecast period 2025-2032, growing from USD 5.11 billion in 2024 to USD 9.94 billion in 2032. The veterinary reference laboratory market demand is increasing due to the rising cases of zoonotic, infectious diseases in companion animals, livestock diseases, chronic diseases, and parasitic diseases. The global veterinary reference laboratory market is experiencing substantial growth due to the combined effects of rising animal disease cases, increasing pet populations, and growing demand for advanced diagnostic testing.

Report Attribute	Details
Base Year	2024
Forecast Period	2025-2032F
Historical Period	2018-2023
Projected Growth Rate	CAGR of 8.67% between 2024 and 2032
Revenue Forecast in 2032	USD 9.94 billion

Veterinary reference laboratories perform diagnostic tests on animals and companion animals to produce exact diagnoses, together with treatment protocols and disease monitoring services. Laboratories play a crucial role in controlling zoonotic diseases while ensuring food safety and maintaining global public health frameworks. The market expansion depends heavily on technological progress, which includes PCR, alongside next-generation sequencing (NGS), immunoassays, and AI-based diagnostic platforms that enhance test precision, processing speed, and data interpretation capabilities. LIMS systems, together with digital diagnostics, help improve laboratory operations while enabling immediate decision-making capabilities. The veterinary reference laboratory market leads the industry due to its strong position in North America, which benefits from high pet healthcare investments and solid infrastructure, along with multiple dominant market participants. The Asia-Pacific region is the fastest-growing market, driven by increasing veterinary knowledge, livestock agriculture development, and government funding for animal health infrastructure. The expanding approach to preventive veterinary care, combined with growth in animal insurance coverage, leads to more routine and specialty tests being conducted through reference laboratories.

For instance, according to the Frobe Advisor report, as of January 2025, there were 5.36 million insured pets in the U.S., with approximately 80% being dogs and 20% being cats.  Such investment helps the veterinary diagnostic market to grow. Centralized lab service demand increases because telemedicine and mobile diagnostic systems continue to develop. The market faces significant challenges, including high operational expenses, workforce shortages, and increasing competition among POC diagnostic devices. Market players can achieve substantial growth through strategic partnerships, mergers and acquisitions as well as through AI and cloud-based diagnostic innovations.

Rising Awareness of Animal Health Boosts Global Veterinary Reference Laboratory Market Demand

Rising awareness of animal health is significantly boosting demand in the veterinary reference laboratory market. The increasing knowledge of early disease detection and preventive care among pet owners and livestock handlers has created a high demand for diagnostic testing services. The expanding perception of pets as family members drives people to seek routine health check-ups, along with wellness screenings and timely interventions, all of which require precise laboratory support. Regular diagnostic monitoring has become essential in the livestock industry due to the rising focus on herd health, productivity enhancement, and food safety standards. Early disease detection through diagnostic monitoring enables better control of outbreaks and promotes effective animal disease management. The increased public health focus on zoonotic diseases has led to greater support for animal health monitoring programs. Veterinary reference laboratories possess advanced testing capabilities, along with specialized knowledge, which enables them to meet the increasing diagnostic needs. The growing focus on animal welfare combined with preventive healthcare practices continues to create demand for reliable diagnostics, which enhances the importance of reference laboratories in contemporary veterinary medical care.

Additionally, to raise awareness among pet owners, companies are collaborating with other countries to enhance the workflow of veterinary reference laboratories and provide advanced care. For instance, in October 2023, Gribbles Veterinary Pathology and Vedi collaborated to develop a digital pathology ordering platform that enhanced service efficiency for veterinary practitioners in Victoria and South Australia.

Advancement in Diagnostic Technologies Fuels Veterinary Reference Laboratory Market Growth

Advancements in diagnostic technology are significantly driving the growth of the veterinary reference laboratory market. Molecular diagnostics, combined with real-time PCR and next-generation sequencing, represent new technologies that enhance the precision, speed, and sensitivity of detecting animal diseases. Advanced diagnostic tools enable the rapid detection of infections, as well as genetic diseases and complex conditions, leading to improved treatment outcomes. The implementation of laboratory workflow automation systems results in both reduced human errors and accelerated sample processing, leading to improved overall efficiency. Laboratories now perform more tests with consistent precision through these advancements. The combination of digital tools and data management systems enables the sharing of better diagnostic results between laboratories and veterinary clinics, which enhances both decision-making processes and patient care services. The veterinary industry is increasingly adopting AI-assisted data analysis, along with portable diagnostic devices, which both speed up the interpretation of results and enable testing to be conducted directly at clinics. The latest advances in veterinary diagnostics enhance both the precision of testing and the accessibility of veterinary care, driving higher worldwide demand for veterinary reference laboratory services.

For instance, in April 2024, Antech Diagnostics, Inc., which focuses on collaboration with veterinary experts, introduced two new products: AIS RapidRead, which accelerates radiograph analysis, and Nu. Q Canine Cancer Test for in-house cancer detection. These innovations enhance the capabilities of reference labs to deliver faster and more precise results, as well as extensive diagnostic capabilities, thereby improving veterinary patient care and treatment outcomes.

Clinical Pathology Holds Largest Global Veterinary Reference Laboratory Market Share

Clinical pathology holds the largest market segment of the veterinary reference laboratory market because it performs essential diagnostic functions for animal diseases and monitors pet and livestock health conditions for treatment direction. Clinical pathology utilizes various diagnostic tests, including hematology, clinical chemistry, urinalysis, and cytology, which serve as standard tools for veterinarians during their regular veterinary appointments. Laboratory tests serve as essential diagnostic tools for detecting infections, organ failure, metabolic disorders, and many other medical conditions. The rising awareness about preventive animal healthcare, combined with increasing demand for regular wellness exams, has led to growing clinical pathology service requirements. The testing procedures play a vital role in managing herd health surveillance, together with disease control protocols in livestock operations. The combination of automated diagnostic instruments with digital reporting systems has enhanced both the precision, speed, and efficiency of clinical pathology results, which drives their increased usage. The broad applicability and reliability of clinical pathology, together with its routine use in veterinary practices, make it the most extensively used and essential segment of veterinary reference laboratories.

For instance, in May 2024, Mars Inc. is in discussions to acquire Cerba Vet and Antagene to build its veterinary diagnostics portfolio. Through this potential acquisition, Mars would enhance its animal health capabilities while delivering improved diagnostic services in conjunction with cutting-edge veterinary care solutions. Where Cerba Vet provides comprehensive animal-related service diagnostics, including complete clinical and anatomic pathology testing, ANTAGENE is a leading player in animal genetics in Europe.

North America Dominates the Global Veterinary Reference Laboratory Market Size

North America holds the dominant share of the global veterinary reference laboratory market due to its developed veterinary healthcare system, as well as numerous pet owners and substantial investments in animal health. The area enjoys strong knowledge about companion and livestock animal care, together with broad acceptance of diagnostic methods that identify numerous animal diseases. The United States leads as a key market player due to its large pet population, widespread pet insurance coverage, and extensive veterinary reference laboratory network. The market expands due to the presence of major industry players operating in the region, alongside technological advancements and access to PCR, immunodiagnostics, and molecular testing diagnostic tools. Government programs that focus on zoonotic disease control and livestock productivity enhancement support market growth. The adoption of digital platforms, along with AI-based diagnostic tools and integrated Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS), improves both operational efficiency and diagnostic accuracy. North America will continue to lead the global veterinary reference laboratory market due to its ongoing investment in research and veterinary diagnostic innovation, as well as mergers and acquisitions.

For instance, in June 2024, IDEXX Laboratories launched the Catalyst Pancreatic Lipase Test, a new diagnostic tool designed to detect pancreatitis in both cats and dogs. The test utilizes a one-slide solution that works seamlessly with Catalyst analyzers due to their load-and-go system, allowing for quick testing of standard chemistry profiles. This new test will be launched in the U.S. and Canada throughout September to enhance the speed and accuracy of pancreatitis diagnosis in veterinary clinics. Veterinarians now have better diagnostic options with this advancement, strengthening IDEXX's leadership in pet medical innovation.

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Impact of U.S. Tariffs on Global Veterinary Reference Laboratory Market

U.S. tariffs significantly impact the veterinary reference diagnostic market, as they increase the costs of imported laboratory equipment, diagnostic tools, and raw materials. Reference laboratories face increased financial burdens because they need numerous specialized instruments and consumables to perform animal tests correctly. The increase in operational expenses forces laboratories to adjust their pricing toward veterinary practices, resulting in higher diagnostic service costs for veterinary patients and agricultural producers. The current situation creates conditions where tests become less popular while diagnostics experience delays, and advanced testing equipment becomes less accessible for rural areas and smaller clinics. The ambiguity concerning trade regulations, together with tariff modifications, makes it difficult for market participants to plan their future activities. Companies address market challenges by exploring alternative supply routes and domestic manufacturing options, as well as implementing cost-saving technological solutions. Tariffs designed to safeguard local industries create unintentional disturbances in the veterinary healthcare environment, which prevents veterinary professionals from implementing new diagnostic technologies.

Report Scope

“Global Veterinary Reference Laboratory Market Assessment, Opportunities and Forecast, 2018-2032F”, is a comprehensive report by Markets and Data, providing in-depth analysis and qualitative and quantitative assessment of the current state of global veterinary reference laboratory market, industry dynamics, and challenges. The report includes market size, segmental shares, growth trends, opportunities, and forecasts between 2025 and 2032. Additionally, the report profiles the leading players in the industry, mentioning their respective market share, business models, competitive intelligence, etc.

Report Attribute	Details
Segments Covered	Animal, Application, Technology
Regions Covered	North America, Europe, South America, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa
Key Companies Profiled	IDEXX Laboratories, Inc., Mars, Incorporated, Greencross Pty Limited, Gribbles Veterinary Pathology Ltd, Zoetis Services LLC, Neogen Corporation, ProtaTek International, Inc., Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., Laboklin GmbH & Co. KG
Customization Scope	15% free report customization with purchase
Pricing and Purchase Options	Avail the customized purchase options to fulfill your precise research needs
Delivery Format	PDF and Excel through email (subject to the license purchased)

In the report, the global veterinary reference laboratory market has been segmented into the following categories: 

• By Animal
  • Companion
    • Dogs
    • Cats
    • Horses
    • Others
  • Production
    • Cattle
    • Swine
    • Poultry
    • Others
  • By Application
    • Clinical Pathology
    • Parasitology
    • Virology
    • Bacteriology
    • Toxicology
    • Others
  • By Technology
    • Clinical Chemistry
    • Hematology
    • Immunodiagnostic
    • Molecular Diagnostics
  • By Region
    • North America
    • Europe
    • Asia-Pacific
    • South America
    • Middle East and Africa

Key Players Landscape and Outlook

The competitive landscape of the veterinary reference laboratory market is shaped by businesses implementing strategic measures through technological development, geographical expansion, and service expansion. Companies invest in advanced diagnostics, including molecular testing and AI-driven analysis, to enhance speed and accuracy. Multiple companies spread their laboratory operations across different locations while developing partnerships with veterinary clinics to boost their market presence. Businesses often choose M&A as a regular strategy to enter new markets and acquire new operational competencies. The market exhibits a positive outlook, driven by rising animal diagnostic requirements, along with preventive care needs and an expanding focus on integrating data-based veterinary healthcare.

In December 2024, IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. revealed a leadership transition and innovations in veterinary care. The company aims to enhance its service portfolio and improve its market position through leadership transitions and technological advancements in veterinary diagnostics and solutions.

In December 2024, Zoetis Inc. launched VetScan OptiCell VMX, a new diagnostic instrument for veterinary hematology that delivers complete blood count (CBC) results in minutes, enabling fast and precise veterinary analysis. The system enhances diagnostic performance, improves patient treatment, and streamlines veterinary laboratory processes.

Key Players Operating in Global Veterinary Reference Laboratory Market are:

• IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.
• Mars, Incorporated
• Greencross Pty Limited
• Gribbles Veterinary Pathology Ltd
• Zoetis Services LLC
• Neogen Corporation
• ProtaTek International, Inc.
• Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
• Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.
• Laboklin GmbH & Co. KG

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