Consumers and governments are the primary drivers of the animal diagnostics market, which generated $1.5 billion in global sales in 2011, according to a report published by healthcare market research firm Kalorama Information. Many diagnostic methods from mainstream human healthcare, including immunodiagnostics, molecular testing, hematology and clinical chemistry, have become standard applications in veterinary care, according to the report. Governments are determining the direction of the food animal testing market through expenditures, and lower public spending in the European market has hampered growth in the market. Meanwhile, high-income households with pets have been driving veterinary visits and the instrumentation needed to support them. “While veterinarians and industry vendors have played a role in steering the development of veterinary care, the potential of the companion animal diagnostics market rests with the consumer,” said Emil Salazar, an analyst with Kalorama. <HOME>
