Argus Exploratory Pathology Lab

Fecal Egg Count Testing (Small Ruminants)

Send in your sheep or goat’s sample(s) according to guidelines below, and our team will quickly begin their analyses! Optional donations to help provide the materials used in testing and support the education process are encouraged and greatly appreciated.

You will be contacted by a team member regarding any discoveries made in the analysis, but do note these are unofficial, non-diagnostic, non-actionable analyses, and any samples should be concurrently sent to an accredited lab with licensed technicians.

Sample Submission Guidelines

See our guidelines regarding small ruminant sample submissions.

View Guidelines

Milk Pathology

AEPL students engage in milk testing including, but not limited to: On-Farm CMTs, Agar Plate Bacterial Cultures, and Kirby-Bauer Disk Diffusion Antibiotic Sensitivity Tests. Under the guidance of an experienced microbiologist, AEPL students use community-submitted samples from animals with suspected mastitis (or healthy animals for comparison) to hone diagnostic testing skills in preparation for livestock management careers or veterinary school.

Blood Pathology

Blood samples are a common diagnostic tool in pathological tests. Techniques from blood drawing, handling, to correct blood smear creation on slides are practiced here at AEPL, all under the supervision of a veterinarian.

Student-Led Exploratory Research Projects

Projects vary widely in scope and methodology. Some involve hands-on field and laboratory experiences, such as sample collection, diagnostic testing, data analysis, and case investigations. Others focus on survey-based and observational research, allowing students to gather information from producers, veterinarians, and animal owners to identify trends, management practices, and emerging challenges within the industry.

The goal of these projects is not only to contribute to the body of knowledge surrounding animal health, but also to strengthen pattern recognition, critical thinking, scientific communication, and evidence-based decision making. Through collaborative research, students learn how to transform observations into meaningful questions, analyze data responsibly, and communicate findings in ways that can benefit both the veterinary and agricultural communities.

Whether examining herd health practices, parasite management strategies, diagnostic trends, educational outcomes, or other emerging topics, our research initiatives are designed to foster inquiry, encourage professional growth, and support lifelong learning. By empowering students to take an active role in the research process, Argus helps develop the next generation of veterinary and agricultural professionals while advancing education within the communities we serve.