Veterinary Diagnostic Services Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, 2021-2031

The Global Veterinary Diagnostic Services Market is projected to expand from USD 12.78 Billion in 2025 to USD 20.75 Billion by 2031, registering a CAGR of 8.41%. This sector comprises imaging solutions, molecular testing, and clinical pathology used to detect pathogens and metabolic disorders in both companion and production animals. The market is primarily driven by the rising threat of zoonotic diseases, which necessitates rigorous health screening for livestock to guarantee global food safety, alongside the increasing trend of pet humanization that prompts owners to prioritize preventive medical care. This strong financial dedication to animal welfare is reflected in recent market performance; according to the American Pet Products Association, sales for veterinary care and products in the United States hit 39.8 billion dollars in 2024.

However, the industry faces a significant hurdle due to a critical lack of qualified veterinary professionals and pathologists required to interpret complex diagnostic data. This workforce shortage, exacerbated by the high capital costs associated with advanced instrumentation, limits the availability of services in price-sensitive areas and presents a substantial risk that could slow the overall trajectory of market growth.

Market Drivers

Increasing expenditure on animal health, driven largely by the rising penetration of pet insurance, serves as a primary catalyst for the Global Veterinary Diagnostic Services Market. As owners utilize insurance policies to mitigate financial risks, they show greater willingness to authorize comprehensive diagnostic panels and imaging procedures that were once considered too expensive. This shift transitions veterinary care from reactive treatment to proactive monitoring, directly boosting the volume of billable tests. Data from the North American Pet Health Insurance Association's 'State of the Industry Report 2025' indicates that total premium volume for pet health insurance in the U.S. reached $4.7 billion in 2024, ensuring clinics have a reliable revenue stream to perform necessary diagnostics.

Technological innovations in point-of-care and molecular diagnostics further fuel market growth by improving the speed and accuracy of clinical decision-making. The spread of automated in-house instrumentation enables veterinarians to secure real-time results for critical cases, significantly lowering reliance on external reference laboratories for time-sensitive conditions. This adoption of rapid testing solutions is highlighted by IDEXX Laboratories' May 2025 earnings release, which reported a 9 percent year-over-year increase in its global premium instrument installed base. Furthermore, the Association of British Insurers reported that pet insurance claims hit a record £1.23 billion in 2024, underscoring the high frequency of insured veterinary interventions utilizing these services.

Market Challenges

The severe shortage of qualified veterinary professionals and pathologists acts as a major obstruction to the expansion of the Global Veterinary Diagnostic Services Market. This scarcity directly curtails the operational capacity of reference laboratories and clinics, as the accurate interpretation of diagnostic findings relies heavily on specialized human expertise. When facilities lack sufficient personnel to manage growing caseloads, they encounter operational delays that retard diagnosis and treatment, effectively decreasing the total volume of billable services. Consequently, the market’s ability to capitalize on the rising demand for animal healthcare is physically restricted by this lack of human capital.

This structural limitation is confirmed by recent data regarding the widening labor gap. A 2024 study commissioned by the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges projected a shortage of nearly 17,000 veterinarians in the United States by 2032. Such a deficit implies that diagnostic service providers may struggle to scale their operations or fully utilize high-throughput instrumentation. If the workforce cannot expand at a rate comparable to technological adoption, the financial return on advanced diagnostic investments will diminish, thereby hampering the sector's broader financial trajectory.

Market Trends

The integration of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning is fundamentally transforming veterinary diagnostic workflows by augmenting clinical interpretation capabilities. AI algorithms are increasingly applied in pathology and radiology to detect abnormalities with higher precision than manual review, helping to address the critical bottleneck caused by specialist shortages. This technological adoption is gaining rapid traction among practitioners; according to a February 2025 survey by the American Veterinary Medical Association, 39.2 percent of veterinary professionals reported utilizing AI tools for professional tasks, highlighting the sector's shift toward computational diagnostic support.

Market consolidation through mergers and acquisitions is further structuring the industry as major corporate entities absorb regional laboratory networks to expand their service footprints. This aggregation allows dominant providers to offer comprehensive, cross-border diagnostic solutions while streamlining logistical operations. By acquiring established European networks, global leaders are effectively securing market share and integrating specialized genetic and molecular testing capabilities into their portfolios. For instance, in July 2024, Mars, Incorporated announced the completion of its acquisition of Cerba Vet and ANTAGENE, expanding its Science & Diagnostics division by integrating a network of six veterinary diagnostic laboratories in France.

Key Players Profiled in the Veterinary Diagnostic Services Market

• Zoetis Inc.
• Antech Diagnostics, Inc.
• IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.
• Neogen Corporation
• Agrolabo S.p.A.
• Esaote S.p.A
• Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.
• SYNLAB International GmbH
• National Veterinary Services Limited
• Ellie Diagnostics

Report Scope

In this report, the Global Veterinary Diagnostic Services Market has been segmented into the following categories:

Veterinary Diagnostic Services Market, by Test Type:

• In Vitro Diagnosis
• In Vivo Diagnosis

Veterinary Diagnostic Services Market, by Animal Type:

• Companion Animals
• Production Animals

Veterinary Diagnostic Services Market, by Testing Category:

• Clinical Chemistry
• Microbiology
• Parasitology
• Histopathology
• Cytopathology
• Hematology
• Immunology & Serology
• Imaging
• Molecular Diagnostics
• Others

Veterinary Diagnostic Services Market, by Service Provider:

• Veterinary Hospital/Clinic Laboratories
• Reference Laboratories

Veterinary Diagnostic Services Market, by Sector:

• Public
• Private

Veterinary Diagnostic Services Market, by Region:

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• South America
• Middle East & Africa

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the Global Veterinary Diagnostic Services Market.

Available Customization

The analyst offers customization according to your specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:

• Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).

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