Global Veterinary Reference Laboratory Market Size, Share, Growth Analysis Report - Forecast 2034

Veterinary Reference Laboratory Market Size And Forecast

The global veterinary reference laboratory market size was worth around USD 4.78 Billion in 2024 and is predicted to grow to around USD 12.93 Billion by 2034 with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of roughly 10.5% between 2025 and 2034. The report analyzes the global veterinary reference laboratory market's drivers, restraints/challenges, and the effect they have on the demands during the projection period. In addition, the report explores emerging opportunities in the veterinary reference laboratory industry.

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Global Veterinary Reference Laboratory Market: Overview

A veterinary reference laboratory is a stand-along laboratory that receives a specimen from another veterinary lab or clinic for performing various tests on the specimen. A veterinary hospital may have selected a number of tests depending on the size of the clinic, the technological equipment owned, the number & availability of testing personnel, the types of the animal being tested, the in-house testing affordability, and its cost-effectiveness. In case the clinic is not able to perform the tests, after authorization from senior management, the specimen has to be sent to the reference laboratory in order for the necessary tests to be conducted.

Another application of veterinary reference laboratories is the performing of complex or unusual tests, or if certain equipment in the actual clinic is undergoing repair or service along with tests that can only be performed by patented equipment and cannot be easily conducted at regular laboratories. Typically, hospitals or clinics have tie-ups with veterinary reference laboratories to avoid a last-minute hassle in case a test needs to be conducted.

Key Insights

• As per the analysis shared by our research analyst, the global veterinary reference laboratory market is estimated to grow annually at a CAGR of around 10.5% over the forecast period (2025-2034).
• Regarding revenue, the global veterinary reference laboratory market size was valued at around USD 4.78 Billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 12.93 Billion by 2034.
• The veterinary reference laboratory market is projected to grow at a significant rate due to rising pet ownership, increasing demand for advanced diagnostic services, growing prevalence of zoonotic diseases, and technological advancements in veterinary healthcare.
• Based on Animal Type, the Companion Animals segment is expected to lead the global market.
• On the basis of Molecular Diagnostics, the Microarrays segment is growing at a high rate and will continue to dominate the global market.
• Based on the Technology, the Hematology segment is projected to swipe the largest market share.
• By Application, the Toxicology segment is expected to dominate the global market.
• Based on region, North America is predicted to dominate the global market during the forecast period.

Global Veterinary Reference Laboratory Market: Growth Drivers

Increase in R&D for studying animal-related infections and their implication for humans is expected to drive the global market

The main origin source for a lot of diseases in current times that still do not have any cure are animals. In the last couple of decades, there has been a growing interest in learning zoology and the various medical aspects related to animals. Covid-19 is the latest example. The world came to a standstill due to the virus which the majority of the agencies claim to come from bats. This in turn has propelled the need to conduct exhaustive R&D on animals and get detailed information about the consequential implications that may arise due to interaction between humans and animals thus assisting global veterinary reference laboratory market growth. This step is aided not just by government agencies but private companies as well where heavy investments can be seen to fund such research activities.

The global market growth can also be attributed to the rise in acceptance of animals amongst the human population. Gone are the days when animal lives were considered less important than human lives. Due to multiple initiatives taken up by global agencies like PETA and various other domestic animal welfare agencies, there is considerable growth in providing animals with the necessary medical attention they need which in turn has resulted in the opening of multiple veterinary clinics which require the help of veterinary reference laboratory to conduct complicated animals-related medical cases thus aiding global market expansion.

The rise in the adoption of technology in veterinary clinics and laboratories is projected to aid global market growth backed by heavy investments from market players to expand their footprints in the global economy.

Global Veterinary Reference Laboratory Market: Restraints

High costs related to vet care may restrain the global market growth

Vet care is expensive and may not be affordable by large strata of society. Different animals require different types of medical attention on regular bases like vaccines, regular checkups, medical treatments, and diseases depending on the animal species. Even the imaging systems used at veterinary clinics cost a lot of money which restricts the adoption of animals and many animals do not get the necessary medical attention on time which is expected to restrict the global market growth during the forecast period.

Global Veterinary Reference Laboratory Market: Opportunities

Increase in demand for immunodiagnostic kits to provide global market growth opportunities

The global veterinary reference laboratory market growth may receive a positive push owing to the rising demand for immunodiagnostic kits for animals. These kits aid the detection of parasite antigens and antibodies. Because of the higher interdependence between animals and humans, global leaders are keen on learning everything about the implications that humans and animals have on each other, and the environment in general. This is also coupled with the increasing demand for animal-derived food across the world. Food items like meat, eggs, fish, and others are extremely common forms of animal-based products and in many regions, they form a significant portion of staple food. The rise in consumption of these food items is expected to aid global market expansion.

Global Veterinary Reference Laboratory Market: Challenges

Proper and ethical management of specimens to create challenging situations in the global market

Storing animal specimens requires excessive attention along with sufficient space and technology to store them for a longer duration for necessary tests to be conducted. Veterinary reference laboratories have high confidential data related to animal specimen tests, and there is always a chance of unethical use of this data. It is imperative that authorized agencies take utmost care when dealing with test results for specimens and contrary situations may pose a challenge to the global market growth during the projection period.

Global Veterinary Reference Laboratory Market: Segmentation

The global veterinary reference laboratory market is segmented by animal type, molecular diagnostics, technology, application, and region.

Based on Animal Type, the global veterinary reference laboratory market is divided into Companion Animals, and Livestock Animals.

On the basis of Molecular Diagnostics, the global veterinary reference laboratory market is bifurcated into Microarrays, PCR, and Others.

By Technology, the global veterinary reference laboratory market is split into Hematology, Clinical Chemistry, and Immunodiagnostics (ELISA, Rapid Tests, and Lateral Flow Others.

In terms of Application, the global veterinary reference laboratory market is categorized into Toxicology, Clinical Pathology, Productivity Testing, and Others.

Veterinary Reference Laboratory Market: Report Scope

Global Veterinary Reference Laboratory Market: Regional Analysis

North America to lead the global market during the forecast period

The global veterinary reference laboratory market is expected to be dominated by North America which has already been leading the market in the last few years owing to extremely funding received from various organizations to improve animal healthcare in the region. In December 2021, the US Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service donated over $16m for over 60 projects in the USA.

Asia Pacific may generate high revenue owing to increasing consumption of animal-based products, China is a leading consumer of pig, poultry, & beef and is projected to contribute heavily to the regional growth followed by the Middle East because of growing medical tourism.

Recent Developments:

• In November 2021, Heska Corporation acquired VetZ GmbH, an EU-based animal practice information management software organization. The acquisition was completed in 2022 making Heska one of a kind company providing integrated solutions related to animal care from quick diagnosis to referring lab services
• In July 2021, Vidium Animal Health released SpotlightePARR which aids in quick and accurate diagnosis of canine lymphoma and it is only the second diagnostic test rolled out by the company post the launch of SearchLight DNATM which is a genomics-based test detecting mutations in around 120 cancel genes in canines.

Veterinary Reference Laboratory Market: Competitive Analysis

The report provides a company market share analysis to give a broader overview of the key market players. In addition, the report also covers key strategic developments of the market, including acquisitions & mergers, new product launches, agreements, partnerships, collaborations & joint ventures, research & development, and regional expansion of major participants involved in the veterinary reference laboratory market on a global and regional basis.

The global veterinary reference laboratory market is dominated by players like:

• IDEXX Laboratories
• Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Lab.
• The Pirbright Institute
• Vetnostics
• NEOGEN Corporation
• LABOKLIN GmbH
• SYNLAB International GmbH
• Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Lab.
• ProtaTek International Inc.
• Colorado State University

The global veterinary reference laboratory market is segmented as follows:

By Animal Type

• Companion Animals
• Livestock Animals

By Molecular Diagnostics

• Microarrays
• PCR
• Others

By Technology

• Hematology
• Clinical Chemistry
• Immunodiagnostics
  • ELISA
  • Rapid Tests
  • Lateral Flow Others

By Application

• Toxicology
• Clinical Pathology
• Productivity Testing
• Others

By Region

• North America
  • The U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • France 
  • The UK
  • Spain
  • Germany
  • Italy
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • South Korea
  • Southeast Asia
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Rest of Latin America
• Middle East & Africa
  • GCC
  • South Africa
  • Rest of Middle East & Africa