New Diagnostic Center Started In Kalyani For Pets

Kolkata: The West Bengal Livestock Development Corporation (WBLDC) has started a pet diagnostic and service centre in Kalyani, focussing on dogs and cats. The corporation, which is a state government undertaking located at Salt Lake, has engaged the Centre for Laboratory Animal Research and Training (CLART) at Kalyani, to conduct tests on pet animals for diagnosis and treatment.

Pet parents can now book tests online for the collection of samples by logging in to the laboratory’s official website. The test reports will be sent to pet parents through e-mail or text message. 

According to Utpal Kumar Karmakar, managing director of WBLDC, the static collection points for samples are state animal health centres (SAHC) in Salt Lake and Barasat currently. The WBLDC has also collaborated with a private pet care company named Onpets to provide logistical support for diagnosis and testing services. 

Anirban Chanda, an employee of the pet care company, said, "As part of the partnership, we are availing of the equipment and facilities at the govt lab to conduct diagnostic tests on pets." As per bookings on the govt lab website, the private phlebotomists of the company visit the houses of pet owners to collect the blood or stool samples, which are first brought to the static collection points and then dispatched to the new facility at Kalyani. "For home collection of samples, we are charging fees. But if pets are brought to the static collection points, the service will be free," Karmakar said.

He also noted that there are disease investigation labs that run under the directorate of animal resources and animal health in different districts of Kolkata. "In rural areas, people can access the nearby diagnostic labs, but we felt the necessity to start a pet diagnostic facility for those living in Kolkata and its adjacent suburbs. The tests will be done at the laboratory in Kalyani, and we will have samples collected from the centres at Salt Lake and Barasat." 

Spanning over 30,000 sq. ft, the govt laboratory at Kalyani has advanced veterinary diagnostic tools. "Along with diagnostics, we are also doing research on animals and livestock. For research purposes, we are rearing animals like rats, guinea pigs, rabbits, hamsters, and zebrafish to conduct experiments. We are also supplying these animals to other laboratories across the country for tests. Last year, CLART raised Rs 7 lakh from animal sales, while we are targeting Rs 17 lakh in revenues from the same this year," Karmakar said.