Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory

Microbiologist Rod Keller does a run-through in preparation for chronic wasting disease testing at the Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. Photo by Jens Odegaard.

Sept. 10, 2025
By Jens Odegaard

This year, for the first time, Oregon hunters can have their harvested deer and elk tested for chronic wasting disease by an in-state laboratory. The Oregon State University Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, in partnership with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, will perform all CWD testing in the state. 

During a necropsy, Anatomic Pathology Resident Dr. Maria Quinones holds the heart from a pig while Makenna Bailey, necropsy medical technician, takes photographic documentation. Fourth-year veterinary student Jonathan Dy, who was doing a clinical rotation through necropsy, observes. In the background, faculty, residents and students on necropsy rounds observe a canine necropsy from the gallery. Photos by Jens Odegaard.  

Mosquitoes are prepared for PCR testing to monitor for three viruses potentially dangerous to both animals and humans: West Nile, St. Louis encephalitis and western equine encephalitis virus.

Molecular Diagnostics is one of the sections within the Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at Oregon State University. We sat down with the section team to learn more about what they do and who they are.

Dr. Rachael Gruenwald (right), husband Brett and dog Loki enjoying a beautiful day on the Oregon Coast. Dr. Gruenwald is an assistant professor of anatomic pathology at the Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at the Oregon State University Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine.

Dr. Rachael Gruenwald is an assistant professor of anatomic pathology at the Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at the Oregon State University Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine.

Caitlin Van Meter, medical technician, prepares milk samples for HPAI testing at the OVDL's Receiving Department. 

Testing for highly pathogenic avian influenza has been ongoing at the Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory for nearly three years, with no end in sight.    

Before HPAI came on the scene, the OVDL was one of Oregon’s lead laboratories in the COVID-19 pandemic, testing more than 300,000 human samples for the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. So, they have experience handling the practicalities of high-capacity testing.  

Dr. Duncan Russell is an associate professor of anatomic pathology at the Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at the Oregon State University Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine.