Diagnostic testing has always shaped how quickly a veterinary team can act on a case. For decades, that often meant sending a sample to a reference laboratory and waiting hours or days for results. Point-of-care (POC) testing has changed that timeline for a growing number of conditions, moving meaningful diagnostic capability directly into the exam room.
This shift matters most in situations where time is not a luxury. A patient in shock, a suspected toxin ingestion, or a rapidly declining surgical case all benefit from answers measured in minutes rather than hours. As in-house analyzers have become more accurate and more affordable, general practices that once relied almost entirely on outside labs now have real diagnostic options on site.
This article looks at what point-of-care testing covers in veterinary medicine, where it fits into clinical decision-making, and what to weigh when deciding which tests belong in a general practice setting.
What Point-of-Care Testing Actually Covers
Point-of-care testing refers to diagnostic tests performed at or near the patient, rather than sent out to a reference laboratory. In veterinary medicine, this spans a wide range of tools: blood chemistry and hematology analyzers, coagulation panels, blood gas and electrolyte machines, urinalysis equipment, and rapid antigen or antibody tests for infectious disease.
The common thread across all of these is speed. A result that would otherwise take a day to arrive can often be available before the patient leaves the exam room. That immediacy changes what a veterinarian can do with the information, since a same-visit result can directly inform treatment before the case has a chance to progress.
Why Speed Changes Clinical Decisions
The clinical value of POC testing is not simply convenience. In emergency and critical care situations, waiting on a reference lab result can mean a treatment decision gets delayed past the point where it does the most good. A lactate reading, a coagulation panel, or a quick electrolyte panel can shift a treatment plan in real time, while the patient is still on the table.
Even outside emergencies, POC testing supports better client conversations. A same-day result lets a veterinarian explain findings to a client during the visit itself, rather than following up by phone once outside results return. For practices managing chronic disease, that immediacy also supports more frequent monitoring without the added cost and delay of repeated lab shipments.
Where POC Testing Fits Alongside Reference Labs
POC testing is not a replacement for reference laboratory work. Reference labs generally offer broader test menus, external quality control, and the ability to run more complex or less common assays that in-house equipment is not built for. The two are complementary rather than competing.
A practical way to think about it: POC testing handles the questions that need an answer now, while reference labs handle the questions that benefit from depth, breadth, or specialized methodology. A busy general practice often uses both in the same case, an in-house test to guide the immediate decision, and a send-out panel to confirm or expand on that picture.
What to Weigh Before Adding POC Equipment
Bringing a new point-of-care analyzer into a practice is a real investment, both in equipment cost and staff time, so it is worth evaluating a few factors before committing.
Clinical fit. The tests that matter most are the ones that come up often enough in the practice’s actual caseload to justify the investment. A high-volume small animal practice has different priorities than a mixed-animal or equine practice.
Accuracy and validation. Not all in-house analyzers perform identically across species or sample types. Reviewing published validation data, or asking a manufacturer directly, helps confirm a given test performs reliably for the patients the practice actually sees.
Cost versus reference lab fees. In-house testing carries upfront and ongoing costs, reagents, maintenance, calibration, that should be weighed against what the practice currently spends on equivalent send-out testing, along with the value of faster turnaround.
Staff training. Accurate results depend on consistent technique. Any new POC test needs a clear training and quality-control process so results stay reliable across different staff members and shifts.
A Practical Way to Get Up to Speed
For veterinarians and technicians who want a structured overview of which point-of-care tests are worth knowing about, continuing education sessions focused specifically on this topic can be a useful shortcut. One example is a free webinar hosted by Vet and Tech, titled Re-writing Rapid Testing: 10 POC Tests Flying Under the Radar, presented by Dr. Bonnie Bragdon as part of their Learn at Lunch series with DVM Central Marketplace. The session reviews the history, current use, and accuracy of a set of POC tests, along with their practical advantages in general practice, and offers 0.5 RACE-approved CE credit for attendees.
Sessions like this are a reasonable way to compare notes on which tests are actually earning their place in day-to-day practice, rather than researching each option individually.
Building POC Testing Into a Practice’s Workflow
Once a practice decides which tests to add, the bigger challenge is often workflow, not equipment. Clear protocols for when a test is run, who runs it, and how results get documented in the patient record all affect whether the investment pays off. Practices that treat POC testing as a defined part of their triage or exam process, rather than an occasional extra step, tend to get more consistent value from it.
It is also worth revisiting test selection periodically. As caseloads shift and new analyzers reach the market, a panel that made sense two years ago may no longer be the best fit, and a gap that used to require a send-out test may now have a viable in-house option.
Conclusion
Point-of-care testing has become a meaningful part of general veterinary practice, not as a replacement for reference laboratories, but as a fast, complementary tool for the moments when a same-visit answer changes what happens next. Choosing the right tests comes down to a practice’s actual caseload, the accuracy of the equipment for the species being treated, and a realistic look at cost against the value of faster results. Continuing education focused on this topic, including sessions like the one referenced above, can help practices make that decision with a clearer picture of what is currently available and how it performs in practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is point-of-care testing in veterinary medicine?
Point-of-care testing refers to diagnostic tests run at or near the patient rather than sent to an outside laboratory. Common examples include blood chemistry, coagulation, blood gas, and rapid infectious disease tests.
Does point-of-care testing replace reference laboratory testing?
No. POC testing is generally used for time-sensitive decisions, while reference labs handle broader test menus and more specialized assays. Most practices use both depending on the case.
How accurate are in-house veterinary analyzers?
Accuracy varies by device and by species, so it is worth reviewing manufacturer validation data or independent studies before relying on a new analyzer for a given patient type.
What should a practice consider before investing in a new POC test?
Key factors include how often the test would actually be used, its accuracy for the practice’s caseload, the cost compared to reference lab fees, and whether staff can be trained to run it consistently.
Is continuing education available specifically on point-of-care testing?
Yes. Veterinary CE providers periodically offer sessions on this topic, including webinars that review current POC tests, their accuracy, and their practical use in general practice.