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Advanced LIS Systems and Veterinary Diagnostics Support
October 28, 2025
Editor’s Note: This blog post was first published on August 12, 2024.
Pet ownership in the U.S. is on the rise, and so are the needs for quality healthcare and veterinary diagnostics.
First, let’s get a sense of the growing demand. After that, we’ll dive into which laboratory information system companies (LIS software vendors) are best equipped to support veterinary-specific features.
Americans Love Their Pets!
How common is pet ownership in the United States?
According to the American Pet Products Association and the World Animal Foundation, about 66 percent of U.S. households, roughly 86.9 million homes, own at least one pet. Dogs are the clear favorite, found in 65.1 million households, while cats follow in second place with 46.5 million.
Americans spent $147 billion on their pets in 2023, up from $136.8 billion the year before. That’s a 58.7 percent increase since 2018. Part of this rise comes from the growing popularity of pet insurance. The North American Pet Health Insurance Association reported that 6.25 million pets were insured in North America by the end of 2023, up 16.7 percent from 2022.
Veterinary medicine has advanced alongside this growth. Treatments are now more sophisticated, and preventive care with early diagnosis through detailed lab testing has become the standard.
Next, we’ll look at how independent reference labs and veterinary practices can benefit from these trends by upgrading their diagnostic lab software capabilities with modern, flexible laboratory information systems. We’ll also show how advanced LIS software designed for veterinary labs can streamline workflows and improve efficiency for every animal diagnostic lab.
Laboratory Information System Functions and Capabilities Best Suited for Veterinary Labs
Let’s start with the most important attribute of advanced LIS laboratory information system software, regardless of whether it’s in a human or veterinary pathology setting: adaptability.
Veterinary pathologists have very similar needs to human pathologists, so it’s no surprise that the laboratory information systems and LIS software vendors rated best by both are flexibly built and feature-rich.
Much like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole, laboratory information system companies with rigid LIS systems simply can’t keep up with emerging LIS software technologies, let alone support a growing vet pathology practice with unique needs and aggressive growth goals.
Legacy LIS systems that lack configurability only offer partial solutions that require laboratory workflow management workarounds with third-party lab vendors. That’s less than ideal for a vet path practice that needs highly efficient and modern anatomical pathology software to manage growing sample volumes and build its business around.
Discover More: LigoLab: Shaping the Future of Clinical Labs & Pathology Groups
On the contrary, modern laboratory information systems, such as the LigoLab Informatics Platform, excel in configurability and have been engineered to adapt to a specific lab’s environment, regardless of the type of testing or patient the lab caters to.
So instead of settling for outdated vet pathology lab software that’s not perfectly aligned with the lab’s needs, those searching for the best LIS should seek a lab information system that supports veterinary features and lab workflow while being fully interoperable with the lab’s internal instrumentation and other external software systems.
Discover More: Comparing LigoLab Informatics Platform with Legacy Laboratory Information System Software
LigoLab’s Modern Veterinary Features
For example, LigoLab’s “Veterinary Mode” gives vet pathology teams access to key features that streamline laboratory workflow management for all veterinary specimens.
- Unlimited fields for defining animal details such as species, breed, and gender.
- Workflow tracking that includes complete pet information, along with guardian contact details and relationship to the pet.
- Configurable workflows tailored to each species for accurate and efficient veterinary sample processing.
- A comprehensive animal information screen showing all relevant case data, including owner details, spay/neuter status, tracking number, and test results.
- Report templates with animal-specific reference intervals and taxonomic classifications.
- A specimen handling and tracking module that assigns each sample a unique ID and provides real-time visibility throughout processing.
- A configurable rule engine and automation system that streamlines lab operations and supports reflex testing, workflow adjustments, document generation, and case flagging.
- Fully customizable report templates that meet customer preferences for layout, color, formatting, and delivery method (fax, email, SMS, remote printing, or portal access).
- An interface engine for seamless integration with veterinary practice management systems, improving data sharing and coordination.
- A secure provider portal for remote ordering and test result review.
- A searchable database with advanced filters for quick case retrieval and analysis.
- A quality control module supporting Westgard Rules and other QC standards.
- A secure pet owner portal where clients can view medical records, test results, and other information.
Discover More: LigoLab’s Provider Portal Facilitates Faster Order Processing and Improved Turnaround Times
Modern Anatomic Pathology Software Systems and the Growing Demand for Veterinary Medicine
Just as the demand for human diagnostics testing has never been higher, the same can be said for veterinary medicine, where error-free sample tracking, swift test turnaround times, compliance with industry standards, and accurate results remain paramount to customer and patient satisfaction.
Modern anatomic pathology software systems go beyond the basics and offer vet pathology groups additional features and functionalities such as:
Multi-Species Support: Veterinary pathologists work with many animal species, each with unique traits and diagnostic needs. They need advanced pathology lab reporting software that can manage data specific to each species and support accurate analysis across all types of cases.
Customizable Workflow: Flexible laboratory information system software lets veterinary pathology groups adapt workflows to fit their testing protocols. Whether handling routine blood work or complex histopathology, customization helps teams stay organized and efficient.
Robust Data Management: Veterinary labs handle large volumes of complex data. Modern anatomic pathology LIS software should make it easy to store, find, and analyze this information. Strong data tools help pathologists work faster and maintain accuracy.
Image Management: Diagnostic imaging is central to veterinary pathology. Leading LIS systems include built-in tools for viewing, annotating, and sharing images, which improves collaboration and reporting.
User-Friendly Interface: Accurate diagnoses depend on speed and precision. A modern lab information system with a clear, intuitive interface reduces errors and extra clicks, helping teams shorten turnaround times, support faster treatment, and improve outcomes for animals and their owners.
Scalability: As testing volumes rise and new diagnostic methods emerge, scalable LIS software helps veterinary labs grow without disruption. A lab information system that adapts to the pathology group ensures long-term efficiency and readiness for future technology.
Discover More: The Best Laboratory Information System Companies and the Advantages They Offer to Their Laboratory Clients
Aligned Laboratory Information System Pricing Should Also Be Considered
Another key factor to consider when engaging laboratory information system vendors is price.
The best anatomic pathology software LIS systems come with aligned pricing structures designed to give vet labs the management tools they need to be successful without being cash-poor and over budget.
In the past, it was common for laboratory information system companies to demand large upfront cash payments and limits on features, seats, and LIS software support, but that doesn’t have to be the case any longer thanks to progressive pricing that enables vet labs to purchase top-notch and full-featured anatomic pathology LIS solutions that cater to their specific needs rather than a one-size-fits-all solution.
Discover More: LigoLab Informatics Platform - Uniquely Designed Tiered Pricing to Deliver Maximum Value
See Why LigoLab is the Best LIS for Your Veterinary Lab
Full-featured and highly adaptable LIS laboratory information system software represents the best fit for veterinary pathology groups seeking a robust and affordable laboratory workflow management solution.
To learn more about LigoLab’s advanced veterinary pathology lab management support and LIS system pricing, contact a LigoLab product specialist today.
Ask how the LIS system adapts to your lab’s specific needs, integrates smoothly with other laboratory software systems, and supports growth with strong automation, reporting, and analytics tools.
Take the First Step: Contact a LigoLab Product Specialist!
