Animal Health

To learn about changes to the Animal Health Laboratory System, click here.

Effective September 8, 2009:
Livestock samples, specimens, and live or dead animals from the entire state and non-commercial poultry samples from the Western Shore should now be sent or delivered directly to the Frederick Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory. The address of the laboratory is:
1840 Rosemont Avenue
Frederick, MD 21702
Phone: 301.600.1548
Fax: 301.600.6111
email: AHFrederick@mda.state.md.us.

Commercial poultry samples from the entire state and non-commercial poultry samples originating from the Eastern Shore of Maryland will continue to be sent to the Salisbury Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory. The address is:
27722 Nanticoke Road
Salisbury, MD 21801
Phone: 410.543.6610
Fax: 410.543.6676
email: AHSalisbury@mda.state.md.us.

The Animal Health Section is responsible for safeguarding the health of food producing animals and horses and controlling any animal disease transmissible to humans. Continuous efforts are conducted to control and eradicate diseases specific to each species. The Animal Health staff also plans and implements long range programs to eradicate livestock diseases. Veterinarians monitor any new disease which could be transported into Maryland from another state or country to prevent serious damage to the industry. Certain wildfowl diseases which pose a potential for serious losses among domestic fowl are constantly monitored by this section.

Animal Health laboratories are located in Frederick and Salisbury to provide diagnostic services and assist veterinarians and farmers in maintaining the highest standards of animal health. When necessary, testing and investigations are conducted on farms.

The Maryland Department of Agriculture's Animal Health Program field veterinarians and agricultural inspectors are responsible for enforcement of regulations related to animal and poultry health, for execution of State-Federal cooperative disease eradication and other programs, and for consultation with and assistance of practicing veterinarians and producers of livestock and poultry.

Some specific examples of their duties include:
. Inspection at shows, fairs, exhibitions, and auction markets.
. Certification of health for interstate shipment.
. Poultry Testing.
. Coordination of Maryland Johne's Disease Program.
. Drug Residue Testing.

To find out more, call Animal Health at 410-841-5810 or 1-800-492-5590

To find out more about veterinary licensing and practices or to file a complaint against a veterinarian, please contact the Maryland State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, 410-841-5862.