Since the inception of the Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC) in 1986, the Diagnostic Services Unit of the college has provided diagnostic and analytical testing to the aquaculture, pet fish and aquatic research communities throughout Atlantic Canada and beyond. With the growth of the regional fin-fish aquaculture industry in the early 1990’s the college could no longer keep up with demand using existing faculty and staff, and undertook the development of a “for profit” (ADS) division. ADS was subsequently formed in January of 1996, and remains as an integrated division of the Diagnostic Services Unit of the AVC at the University of Prince Edward Island, located in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada.

Aquatic Diagnostic Services is located on the AVC campus which is situated on Prince Edward Island in the Gulf of St. Lawrence on Canada’s east coast. ADS is ideally positioned to serve aquaculture enterprises both locally and worldwide and in conjunction with other service units of the college, currently offers a wide range of fin-fish and shellfish (both bivalve and crustacean ) diagnostic and analytical testing in the disciplines of gross and microscopic pathology, bacteriology, virology (virus isolation), molecular testing, parasitology, toxicology and drug residue analysis, endocrinology and clinical pathology. The service is integrated into the existing terrestrial diagnostic unit and as a result technical support staff from each discipline handle fin-fish and shellfish submissions as well as those from mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians.

ADS clients have traditionally come primarily from Atlantic Canada (over 75%), but in recent years the client base has expanded to include submissions from across Canada, the USA, Chile, Europe, and Asia. The bulk of our referral work both with Atlantic Canada and worldwide is interpretative histopathology. ADS is currently offering an expanded range of testing molecular diagnostics to meet the demands of our client base.

As part of an interactive, multi-disciplinary aquatic animal health environment at the AVC, ADS has unlimited access to a broad spectrum of talent and expertise often not available in a more restricted business environment. Depending on the particular client concern, the following affiliated resources may be used:

  • Statutory Aquatic Inspection Services ( including US Title-50 inspections )
  • Aquatic Epidemiology and Statistical Evaluations,
  • Aquatic Health Research Planning and Execution ( including GLP projects ), and
  • Aquatic Heath Continuing Education,

Tell us how we can help your business!

To support clients’ businesses, Aquatic Diagnostic Services will, upon request, discuss with its clients the causes and implications surrounding a particular diagnostic concern, and will work with clients to come up with creative and accurate diagnostic solutions to related possible husbandry problems.  Please contact us at aquaticdx@upei.ca for further inquiries.