Purpose
The Zoetis Reference Labs (ZRL) integration connects Shepherd with Zoetis Reference Labs to streamline diagnostic testing workflows. Clinics can order, track, and invoice ZRL diagnostic services directly from a patient’s record. This integration reduces manual entry, ensures billing accuracy, and provides a seamless way to manage lab diagnostics within Shepherd.
All labs must be ordered and administered in a SOAP for the integration to function properly. This includes initial tests, add-ons, repeat labs, and drop off labs/samples.
Ordering ZRL Services
Open a patient’s active SOAP.
If a Comprehensive SOAP:
Go to the Plan section.
Scroll to Order Treatments.
If a Quick SOAP:
Scroll to Order Treatments.
Search for and select the desired ZRL service.
Click Add.
Select the Administer icon to open the ZRL modal.
In the modal:
Select a provider (Zoetis manages this list; contact them if a provider is missing).
Choose a source and add comments (optional).
Click Save.
A requisition form will open in a new tab for printing and sending with samples.
Not seeing the provider you need? Contact Zoetis to have them added.
Removing a ZRL Service
Open the SOAP.
If a Comprehensive SOAP:
Go to the Plan section.
Open Tx History
If a Quick SOAP:
Open Tx History.
Click Undo under Actions.
Select Yes to confirm the cancellation.
You’ll still need to cancel the test with ZRL.
Ordering Without the Integration
To record a service already ordered with ZRL:
Add the service to the SOAP as normal.
Select the Edit icon under Actions.
Toggle on Administer Without ZRL Integration.
Adjust details if needed, then click Save.
Ordering ZRL Add-On Tests
Add-on tests must always be ordered and administered in the Comprehensive SOAP to ensure proper integration and invoicing. The process varies depending on when and how the add-on is requested.
Zoetis has a 7-day limitation on add-ons, which applies regardless of the sample’s result status.
At the time of visit with a primary panel
If you know an add-on test will be needed during the same visit as the primary panel:
Add both the primary test and the add-on test to the SOAP.
Use Confirm Treatments to process them together.
After the sample was sent (no new sample required)
If the original sample is still viable and no additional sample is needed:
Re-open the SOAP that contains the original test.
If the SOAP is Locked, update the status back to Active.
If the Invoice is Checked Out, update it back to Active.
Go to Assessment → Diagnostics and locate the primary test panel.
Click the three dots under Actions and select Add or Edit.
In the ZRL modal, select the new add-on test(s).
Click Update.
After the sample was sent (new sample required)
If a new sample is required for the add-on test:
Re-open the SOAP with the original test.
If the SOAP is Locked, update the status back to Active.
If the Invoice is Checked Out, update it back to Active.
Go to Assessment → Diagnostics and locate the primary test panel.
Click the three dots under Actions and select Add or Edit.
In the ZRL modal, select the new add-on test(s).
Click Update.
This will:
Generate a new requisition form that includes both the primary and add-on tests.
Automatically update the invoice with the add-on charge.
Add-On Order Errors and Next Steps
Order has not been acknowledged by Zoetis yet. Please wait a few minutes and try again - Zoetis has not yet processed the order electronically. This typically takes 3-5 minutes from order creation.
Invalid order. Please contact the lab at 1-888-965-9652 for additional information - Contact Zoetis for additional help.
Tests cannot be added on to orders older than 7 days. Please contact the lab at 1-888-965-9652 for additional information - The original order is older than 7 days and samples are no longer viable for add-on tests.
The following tests are not valid, please check directory of services for replacement tests: - The code is no longer orderable.
Viewing Zoetis Reference Labs (ZRL) Results
Dashboard: Diagnostics
Once you have administered a ZRL service, you will see a Diagnostics tab on the main dashboard. From here, you can view all ordered and completed services.
From the Actions section on the right-hand side, you can:
View the SOAP
View the result
Download the result
Print the result
Syncing Results
Shepherd syncs with integrated labs every 15 minutes. If a patient’s results are ready, they will automatically update in the SOAP during the next sync.
If you know results are available and want to view them sooner, you can trigger a manual sync:
From the Diagnostics dashboard: select the three dots in the Actions column for the patient and choose Sync.
From the patient SOAP: select the three dots in the Actions column for the test and choose Sync.
Viewing Results in the Patient Record
ZRL results can be viewed from several areas in Shepherd:
The Diagnostics dashboard
The Assessment tab in the patient’s SOAP
The Lab tab in the patient profile
The Lifecycle view in the patient profile
Mapping Orphaned Results
If a result arrives without being tied to a SOAP (orphaned):
Confirm the SOAP you want to map to is active.
Locate the orphaned result in Diagnostics.
Click the Actions icon → Map to SOAP.
Select the appropriate client and patient.
Choose the SOAP to map the result to.
Click Save.
Test Statuses
The following statuses describe where each ZRL service is in the diagnostic workflow:
Created: Service has been started.
Preparing: Service added to a Tx plan but not sent to the device.
Pending: Service sent to device and awaiting processing.
Completed: Results fully processed and available.
Orphaned: Service ordered outside Shepherd; results ready to be mapped to a SOAP.
Orphaned (mapped): Orphaned result successfully mapped to a SOAP.
Canceled: Service canceled on the device.
Need Help?
For assistance with setup or result troubleshooting, contact Zoetis Reference Labs Support:
Email: support@zoetis.com
Website: Zoetis Reference Labs