Unlock the Power of Next-Generation Sequencing in Veterinary Diagnostics is an educational webinar from MiDOG Animal Diagnostics exploring how next-generation sequencing (NGS) is reshaping infectious disease diagnostics in veterinary medicine. Designed for veterinarians, diagnosticians, and laboratory professionals, the session highlights how genomic technologies overcome many of the limitations of traditional culture and targeted PCR testing.
Hosted by Dr. Jörg Mayer, DVM, DABVP, DECZM, DACZM, MS, the webinar provides a clear, clinically grounded overview of how NGS can improve diagnostic confidence, shorten the time to answers, and support better treatment decisions—particularly in complex or chronic cases.
Key Takeaways
What Is Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS)?
NGS is a DNA-based diagnostic approach that enables broad, unbiased detection of microbial genetic material from a single sample. Rather than relying on organism growth or pre-selected targets, NGS simultaneously identifies and quantifies bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms present at the infection site.
Improved Pathogen Detection
The webinar demonstrates how NGS can identify fastidious, unculturable, rare, and co-infecting organisms that are frequently missed by conventional diagnostics. This comprehensive view is especially valuable in polymicrobial infections and cases with persistent or recurring clinical signs.
Actionable Clinical Insights
Participants learn how quantitative microbial data and antimicrobial resistance gene detection can be used to support targeted therapy decisions. These insights help reduce empirical treatment, strengthen antimicrobial stewardship, and align diagnostics more closely with clinical management.
Real-World Clinical Applications
Through practical examples, the webinar illustrates how NGS fits into everyday veterinary workflows across a wide range of case types, including dermatologic disease, otitis, urinary tract infections, gastrointestinal disease, and other diagnostically challenging presentations.
Why This Matters for Veterinary Practice
Traditional culture and sensitivity testing and single-target PCR often provide incomplete answers, delayed results, or false negatives—particularly when prior antimicrobial therapy or fastidious organisms are involved. This webinar highlights how NGS addresses these challenges by delivering a comprehensive microbial profile from a single test, enabling earlier, more informed decision-making.
As antimicrobial resistance and complex infectious disease cases continue to rise, genomic diagnostics are becoming an increasingly important tool for modern veterinary medicine. This session provides a practical framework for understanding when and how NGS can add value in clinical practice.
Who Should Watch
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Veterinarians seeking greater diagnostic clarity in complex cases
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Specialists managing chronic, recurrent, or treatment-resistant infections
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Diagnostic laboratory and research professionals evaluating advanced technologies
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Educators interested in emerging tools for veterinary diagnostics and One Health applications