Overview
The Heska Integration allows Shepherd users to connect Heska diagnostic devices directly to Shepherd, improving efficiency in capturing and managing diagnostic results.
The Heska Integration is currently in beta and not yet available to all practices.
To Request Access
If you're interested in joining the Heska Integration beta, please contact Shepherd Support via the in-app chat. Our Support Team will collect your practice name and share it with the Product Team. Once we’re ready to onboard more testers, you’ll be notified that the integration card is available and can be enabled.
Integration Features
Automatic synchronization of diagnostic results from Heska devices into Shepherd.
Easy access to lab results within the patient record.
Streamlined workflows to improve efficiency in processing diagnostic data.
Required Software Installation
For the Heska Integration to function correctly, you will need the following installed on your computer:
Heska Vet Cloud
Gateway
DCU (Data Communication Unit)
How the Integration Works
When a lab request is submitted in Shepherd, Heska Vet Cloud sends the request as a worklist to the Gateway and then to the DCU.
The DCU transmits the request to the analyzers.
When the analyzers complete the test, the results are sent back through the DCU, which transmits them to the Gateway and finally back to Vet Cloud, where they sync with Shepherd.
Requesting Software Installation
If you don’t have the required software installed, email cloudintegrations@heska.com to request installation. Heska’s team will guide you through the setup process to ensure everything runs smoothly.
Heska’s Technical Support Specialists will coordinate the installation process.
They can also assist with troubleshooting to ensure results are transmitted correctly.
Troubleshooting Common Beta Issues
Lab Orders Stuck In Pending
If you see lab orders remaining in Pending status in Shepherd after the result has completed on the Heska side:
First, verify that:
The product is active and correctly mapped in Shepherd.
The order was successfully created in Shepherd and sent to Heska.
If the product setup is correct but the order remains in Pending:
This may indicate a sync delay or cloud connection issue on the Heska side.
In some cases during Beta, clinics have resolved this by contacting Heska support to verify that their cloud connection is fully active and transmitting results correctly
Once Heska resolves a cloud sync issue, results should begin to populate normally back into the SOAP Diagnostics section and update the order to Completed.
You can compare the SOAP History for a working order — look for this line when the result processes:
“Heska Integration (Beta) Created 'Assessment Laboratory document: ...'”
If this line does not appear and the order remains in Pending, it may indicate the result was not received from Heska.
If you are a beta participant and experience any issues with the integration, please reach out to Shepherd Support via in-app chat for assistance.