Veterinary Reference Laboratory Market Opportunity, Growth Drivers, Industry Trend Analysis, and Forecast 2025 - 2034

The Global Veterinary Reference Laboratory Market was valued at USD 4.9 billion in 2024 and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 10.6% to reach USD 13.3 billion by 2034. A major driver of this growth is the rising incidence of chronic and zoonotic diseases in farm and companion animals. This increase in disease burden has sparked greater demand for diagnostic services, especially as awareness among pet owners regarding early diagnosis of conditions like diabetes, cancer, and parasitic infections continues to grow. In the livestock industry, stricter requirements around food safety and animal health are further encouraging the adoption of advanced testing services.

Public and private investments, driven by regulatory efforts centered on improving animal health management, are fueling the development of diagnostic infrastructure. Expanding networks of veterinary diagnostic laboratories and growing collaborations between clinics and reference facilities are helping to extend services into previously underserved markets. Additionally, a rise in pet insurance coverage is making veterinary diagnostics more financially accessible to pet owners, enhancing the utilization of reference laboratory services and accelerating the market’s momentum across both developed and emerging economies.

In 2024, the clinical chemistry segment achieved a valuation of USD 1.8 billion due to the critical role these tests play in analyzing blood and bodily fluids. These tests are essential for assessing internal organ functions, electrolyte levels, and overall metabolic status. They are particularly relevant for detecting chronic diseases such as renal disorders, diabetes, and endocrine conditions in pets and livestock. The growing use of automated, high-throughput analyzers in reference labs has helped deliver quick and accurate results, meeting the increasing demand for both routine and emergency diagnostic services.

The clinical pathology segment captured a 34.6% share in 2024 and remains a cornerstone of veterinary diagnostics. This category includes vital services like hematology, cytology, urinalysis, and chemistry-based tests that help identify various disease conditions in animals. Clinical pathology serves as the first line of evaluation in veterinary healthcare, aiding in everything from routine health monitoring to diagnosing complex illnesses. With chronic and infectious diseases becoming more common, there is heightened reliance on these tests for managing animal health across both clinical and preventive care settings.

U.S. Veterinary Reference Laboratory Market reached USD 1.7 billion in 2024. Its growth is driven by high pet ownership rates, increasing veterinary expenditures, and strong access to modern animal care services. The country's well-established veterinary infrastructure, along with the widespread adoption of pet insurance, is encouraging more frequent diagnostic testing. This environment supports the expansion of advanced reference laboratory services in the country and contributes significantly to the overall market.

Key players operating in the Global Veterinary Reference Laboratory Market include Zoetis, Heska Corporation, IDEXX Laboratories, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Antech Diagnostics (Mars), Virbac, Nova Biomedical, Vaxxinova, Boehringer Ingelheim International, Laboklin, GD Animal Health, Neogen Corporation, and Colorado State University. To strengthen their position in the veterinary reference laboratory market, companies are implementing a range of strategic initiatives. These include expanding their laboratory networks and entering strategic partnerships with veterinary clinics to boost service accessibility. Many firms are also investing in next-generation diagnostic tools and automation to deliver faster, more accurate results. Emerging markets through acquisitions and localized service offerings, allowing them to reach more customers while enhancing operational scalability. Show more