About Us | Our Policies
University of Maine Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory Policies:
The University of Maine Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory exists primarily to support the food (furred, feathered, and finned) and fiber animal industries in Maine and the Northeast. We welcome inquiries from farmers. Occasionally we will perform diagnostic work on companion animals, but only if the case has been sent to us directly by veterinarians. We welcome veterinarians to contact us about necropsy, bacteriology, cytology, or other diagnostic work.
When further testing is suggested, we must receive a response within two weeks or the case will be closed and the samples will be discarded.
All samples submitted to the University of Maine Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory become the property of the University of Maine and will be disposed of using appropriate biosecurity. If requested by the submitting veterinarian at the time of submission, companion animal cadavers may be picked up by the veterinarian for cremation at a licensed facility. Additional fees will apply.
Production Animal Policy:
If you are a livestock owner without a food animal veterinarian, we can accept diagnostic cases from you but will encourage you to find a food animal veterinarian to help you interpret and apply the findings. Communications about the case (estimates, preliminary, and final reports) will be made to you, but when a veterinarian is found for you then communications will go to both of you. Billing will go to you. If you have an animal of any kind that you think of as a pet, such as dogs, cats or small pet mammals/pet birds, see the Companion Animal Policy (below).
Companion Animal Policy:
We do not accept companion animal diagnostic cases directly from clients. If you are an animal owner and would like to have a necropsy or other work done on your pet, please contact your veterinarian, and they can then contact us directly about the case. All submissions of companion animals must be made by veterinarians. The animal should be either sent, or delivered, to us via an agent of the veterinarian. All communications about the case (estimates, preliminary and final reports) will be made to that veterinarian, and all billing will go to that veterinarian.
Confidentiality Policy:
We keep your identity, and the details of your case, confidential UNLESS we encounter a reportable disease. In that case, we notify you, your vet if you have one, and also the legally appropriate authorities (usually the state of Maine, but may also include the Maine Center for Disease Control and the USDA or FDA). We are required by law to report dangerous conditions. We will attempt to assist you with a resolution of problems diagnosed, but the responsibility to apply solutions and to provide good animal welfare practices is yours.
Interpreting Results:
We encourage all our clients to develop a good working relationship with a clinical veterinarian in their area.
Billing Policy:
We can accept payment at the time of service (please ask for an estimate) or can bill our clients on a monthly basis. The initial bill is usually created at the time the final report is sent (when all diagnostic work is completed). At this time, we can accept checks or cash. Our billing system is now run through the University Bursar’s Office. In that system, accounts that are over 90 days unpaid are sent to a collection agency.
In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 101 Boudreau Hall, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5754, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).