Here in the lab at VEH we handle all manner of matters related to breeding. We are proud to be one of only 27 labs in the country to be approved by the Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB) to carry out Contagious Equine Metritis (CEM) testing. Being HBLB approved gives us the authority to issue certification declaring animals free from the three pathogens covered by the CEM testing regulations – Taylorella Equigenitalis, the organism responsible for CEM, as well as Klebsiella Pneumoniae and Pseudomonas Aeruginosa. To maintain this status, we undergo an external testing scheme to ensure that we meet the standards set by the HBLB.
Swabs for CEM testing come in three forms: clitoral, cervical and stallion swabs (which are taken from the urethra, urethral fossa and sheath). Swabs are cultured and then incubated in both aerobic (with the presence of oxygen) and microaerophilic (low oxygen) environments, and after extensive testing results are available after 7 days.
For further information and advice about our breeding services, please contact our office, who will arrange for a vet to contact you.
