Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory History

The Animal disease Diagnostic Laboratory (ADDL) consists of the central ADDL at West Lafayette (ADDL-WL) and the southern branch of the ADDL at Southern Indiana Purdue Agricultural Center (Heeke ADDL).  The ADDL originated as an ancillary service of the testing laboratory for vaccines and antisera to be used for the prevention and control of Hog Cholera in Indiana in 1912.  Testing for Brucellosis (Bang’s Disease) was added in the early 1930’s.  The official ADDL was established in Section 1, Chapter 68 of the Acts of the Indiana Legislature of 1945.  The branch laboratory (ADDL-SIPAC) began in 1969 as a diagnostic laboratory to serve the poultry industry in southern Indiana.  Additional facilities at ADDL-SIPAC were completed in 1977 to provide mammalian diagnostic services.  Construction of the new ADDL-WL facilities began in 1989 and was completed and dedicated June 11, 1991.

The ADDL system is dedicated to reducing animal suffering, helping control the state’s multimillion dollar losses from animal disease and parasites, reducing the threat of disease and poisonings common to animals and man, aiding in research, education and diagnostic service in veterinary medicine, and assisting in ensuring a nutritious and disease free source of animal derived food and products to consumers.  The Laboratories’ objectives include avian diseases, bacteriology, computer services, pathology, serology, toxicology and virology sections.  The ADDL is accredited as a full service, all species veterinary medical diagnostic laboratory by the American Association of Veterinary laboratory Diagnosticians.

The primary clientele for the services of the ADDL are the livestock and poultry producers of the state as well as owners of companion animals, all of whom have benefited from the diagnostic services provided by the ADDL.  Accomplishments of the ADDL include assisting producers by diagnosing and controlling disease problems, providing serological services required for sale exhibition and exportation, and providing research assistance to evaluating previously and newly recognized animal diseases.

Heeke ADDL is located between Ind. 56 and Ind. 164 in eastern Dubois County on the Southern Indiana Purdue Agricultural Center.  The ADDL-WL is located in the main campus of Purdue University adjacent to the School of Veterinary Medicine.