How to initiate a field investigation
The Field Investigation Unit (FIU) is supported by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture as an outreach arm in support of animal diagnostics and disease prevention, under the Pennsylvania Animal Diagnostic Laboratory System (PADLS). The FIU is located within the Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences at the Pennsylvania State University (PSU).
Faculty at Penn State available to assist with field investigations include:
Drs. Jason Brooks - livestock health and pathology
Patty Dunn - poultry health
Ernest Hovingh - milk quality, Johne’s, and hoof health of dairies
Eva Wallner-Pendleton - poultry health
Robert Van Saun - livestock nutrition and small ruminant health
and David Wolfgang - infectious disease control/diagnostics, livestock health, and on farm food safety.
The aim of the FIU is to help solve animal health and production problems that exceed local veterinary resources. These cases may be complicated diagnostic cases that require more extensive tests and sampling than is routine or be proactive animal health programs that affect the productivity or quality of animal agricultural products. In many cases, the local veterinary practitioner initiates a field investigation. This is the most common case for mammalian FI’s, but certainly not the exclusive method of initiating a FI. Other ag professionals, extension educators, or producers can contact the Animal Diagnostic Laboratory, the Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences (814-865-7656) or individual FI faculty. FIU aims to help solve animal health problems within the context of available private resources and with the help of local veterinary and animal health expertise whenever possible. Currently, there is a $35 fee for travel for FI’s. All diagnostic laboratory fees are based on the current PADLS schedule and are the responsibility of the individual producer, unless specifically adjusted by FI faculty.
Avian field investigation calls should be directed to 814-893-0838.
Mammalian field investigation calls should be directed to 814-863-2160.
Individual faculty can also be accessed
electronically. Individual e-mail addresses and additional information
can be best accessed by the internet at the Veterinary Science Extension and Outreach Personnel Page.
A second FIU in Pennsylvania is located at New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. Individuals who wish to contact the FIU at Penn, should call 610-444-5800 and ask for the Field Investigation Unit.
Answered by:
Dr. David Wolfgang
