Westgate Labs

What Westgate Labs does

Westgate Labs operates a postal parasitology laboratory based on a family farm in rural Northumberland, UK, processing thousands of samples weekly with same-day turnaround. The core service is worm egg count testing for equines, poultry, and farm animals using the Modified McMaster centrifugation technique, supplemented by specialized tests for tapeworm (EquiSal saliva test distributed under partnership with Austin Davis Biologics), lungworm, liverfluke, pinworm, sand accumulation, and large redworm larval culture. The company differentiates on accuracy of egg identification, compostable pouches that double as return envelopes (claimed to reduce landfill waste by 75%), and an on-site 75-acre nature reserve supporting a carbon-positive environmental claim.

The commercial model combines a direct-to-consumer e-commerce storefront selling individual test kits and seasonal bundles (4Count, 4Count PLUS) with a multi-tier subscription program (Essential Care, Complete Care, Young Horse, Poultry) priced £7.75–£25 per month. A parallel B2B channel distributes products through more than 200 UK retail shops, feed merchants, veterinary practices, and Suitably Qualified Persons who can prescribe wormers based on test results. Unit pricing spans roughly £8.50 (commercial yard rate for 10+ horses) to £60 (large redworm larval culture), with paid postage covering both outbound and return legs.

The company is privately held with no disclosed funding history or external shareholders, and operates primarily within the United Kingdom. Marketing is distributed across an educational website (Info Zone), seasonal email guidance, separate Facebook pages for equine and smallholding audiences, Instagram, TikTok, and presence at equine industry conferences including a scientific poster at Horses Inside Out Conference 2026. Customer segments span individual horse owners, commercial livery yards, veterinary practices, poultry keepers, and smallholder farmers; no single named enterprise customer dominates, and revenue is generated through a long tail of small-ticket consumable tests rather than large contracts.

Name

Westgate Labs

Legal name

Westgate Labs

Website

https://westgatelabs.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Westgate Labs is a privately held UK postal parasitology laboratory based in Northumberland that provides worm egg count and specialized parasite testing (EquiSal tapeworm, lungworm, liverfluke, pinworm) to individual horse owners, commercial yards, veterinarians, poultry keepers, and smallholders via e-commerce, subscriptions, and a 200+ retail channel.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Veterinary Diagnostic Testing

NAICS

Veterinary Services (541940), Veterinary Services (54194), Testing Laboratories and Services (541380)

SIC

Services-Testing Laboratories (8734), Agricultural Services (700), In Vitro & In Vivo Diagnostic Substances (2835)

akta.pro primary industry

Veterinary Parasitology Testing (HLAMADAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Diagnostics & Laboratory Services (Sampling, Necropsy, Disease Investigation) (AFACADAF), Reference Laboratory Testing (Clinical Pathology & Chemistry) (HLAMADAA), Veterinary Microbiology & Infectious Disease Testing (Culture/PCR/Serology) (HLAMADAC)

Keywords

• Veterinary diagnostic testing
• Animal parasite testing
• Equine worm egg count
• Postal laboratory services
• Veterinary parasitology services

Headquarters

HQ city

Morpeth

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Direct test kit sales: One-time purchase of individual test kits for various parasites including worm egg counts, tapeworm tests, sand tests, lungworm tests, pinworm tests, liverfluke tests, and large redworm larval culture.
2. Season packs: Pre-packaged bundles designed for year-round testing (4Count Season Pack, 4Count PLUS Season Pack) providing everything needed for one horse throughout the year.
3. Subscription service: All Seasons subscription program with monthly payments providing regular test kits delivered to door, expert advice from SQPs, and discounts on shop items.
4. Retail/distributor sales: Products sold through over 200 retail shops, feed merchants, vets, and SQPs who stock and sell the kits in-store.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Westgate Labs operates a postal laboratory from rural Northumberland, UK, providing parasitic testing services for animals—primarily horses, but also poultry and farm animals. Customers purchase postal test kits (worm egg counts, EquiSal saliva tapeworm tests, lungworm, liverfluke, sand, pinworm, and larval culture tests), collect faecal or saliva samples, and return them via prepaid envelopes for laboratory analysis with same-day results. Tests are sold individually, in seasonal bundles, or via monthly subscription programmes, and are also distributed through 200+ retail shops, feed merchants, veterinary practices, and SQPs across the UK.

Product overview

Westgate Labs operates a postal laboratory providing parasitic testing services for animals, primarily equines but also poultry and farm animals. The core product portfolio centers on worm egg count testing using the Modified McMaster technique, supplemented by specialized tests for tapeworm (EquiSal saliva test by Austin Davis Biologics), lungworm, liverfluke, pinworm, sand colic, and large redworm larval culture. Testing is delivered through single-use kits containing sample collection materials and prepaid return postage, available as individual tests or seasonal subscription packs (4Count and 4Count PLUS plans). The company also provides accessories (replacement swabs, weight tapes, return envelopes) and educational resources for animal health management.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• EquiSal: Saliva-based tapeworm test for horses, developed by Austin Davis Biologics and distributed through Westgate Labs.

Products and services

• Equine Worm Egg Count Test Postal worm egg count test kit using the Modified McMaster technique with centrifugation to detect redworm and ascarid parasites in horses. Includes sample collection pot, prepaid return envelope, and veterinary-approved worming advice.
• EquiSal Tapeworm Test Saliva-based tapeworm test using a specially designed swab to collect samples that are analysed for antibody levels against tapeworm parasites. Developed by Austin Davis Biologics and offered to horse owners without need for veterinary intervention.
• Combined Equine Worm Egg Count & EquiSal Tapeworm Test Combined postal test kit providing both a worm egg count for redworm/ascarids and an EquiSal saliva test for tapeworm detection in horses in a single kit.
• Equine Lungworm Test Faecal sedimentation test for detecting lungworm infection in horses. Includes dual sample pots suitable for testing donkeys or mules as alternate hosts.
• Equine Liverfluke Test Specialised faecal test using a different flotation solution to detect heavier liverfluke eggs in horses.
• Equine Faecal Sand Test Faecal sedimentation test for detecting sand accumulation in the horse's gut to help prevent sand colic. Includes dual sample kits for retesting.
• Equine Pinworm Test Sellotape-based test for detecting pinworm eggs around the horse's anus, where eggs are typically laid outside the intestinal tract.
• Equine Large Redworm Larval Culture Specialised test culturing faecal samples for 10–14 days to detect encysted larval stages of large strongyle parasites in horses.
• Equine Worm Egg Count Reduction Test Follow-up worm egg count test performed 10–14 days after worming treatment to assess treatment efficacy and detect potential wormer resistance.
• Poultry Worm Egg Count Worm egg count kit for chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, pigeons and other poultry using the Modified McMaster technique with centrifugation. Suitable for individual or composite samples up to 5 birds.
• Farm Animal Worm Egg Count Test Worm egg count service for sheep, cattle, goats, llama, alpaca and other grazing animals using the Modified McMaster technique.
• Farm Animal Lungworm Test Specialised sedimentation test for detecting lungworm in farm animals such as sheep and cattle.
• Farm Animal Liverfluke Test Specialised faecal test for detecting liverfluke in farm animals using specific flotation techniques.

Quantifiable outcome

• Waste to landfill reduced by 75% through compostable packaging
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Austin Davis BiologicscoreTechnology or IntegrationAustin Davis Biologics developed the EquiSal tapeworm test technology. Westgate Labs offers this saliva-based tapeworm testing service to their customers. Unlike ELISA blood tests, owners can take samples themselves using specially designed saliva collection swabs without needing a vet. The test measures antibody levels to tapeworm parasites to detect infection levels.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Laboklin: European veterinary diagnostic laboratory offering parasitology, genetic, and clinical pathology testing with postal sample submission. Directly comparable in postal vet diagnostics, though broader in scope.
• Austin Davis Biologics: Developer of the EquiSal saliva tapeworm test and a UK-based equine diagnostic company. Directly comparable as both a technology partner to Westgate and an independent provider of equine parasite diagnostics.
• Pinmoore Animal Laboratory Services: UK-based veterinary diagnostic laboratory offering faecal egg counts, serology, and parasitology tests for livestock and companion animals. Closely comparable postal-lab veterinary diagnostics model.
• NationWide Laboratories: UK veterinary diagnostic laboratory serving practices with clinical pathology, microbiology, and parasitology services. Overlapping customer base of veterinary practices and similar testing capabilities.
• CTDS (Compton Test & Diagnostic Services): UK equine-dedicated diagnostic laboratory offering worm egg counts and infectious disease testing. Closely comparable niche focus on equine parasitology with postal sample workflow.
• Biobest Laboratories: UK veterinary diagnostic laboratory providing faecal worm egg counts, PCR, and endocrinology testing. Comparable postal veterinary diagnostic offering with similar turnaround-driven model.

Broad incumbents

• IDEXX Laboratories: Global leader in veterinary diagnostics (reference labs, in-clinic analyzers, rapid tests). A broader incumbent whose parasitology and reference-lab services compete for the same vet-practice testing budgets.
• Virbac: Global animal health company with parasiticide portfolio and diagnostic offerings. Adjacent competitor in equine parasite management via pharmaceutical channel and SQP networks.
• Zoetis: Largest global animal health company with diagnostics, parasiticides, and vaccines. Competes indirectly via in-clinic testing and pharmaceutical-channel relationships with equine vets.

Emerging players

• Protexin (ADM Protexin): Animal health supplements brand (Protexin Quick Fix is stocked alongside Westgate kits). Comparable as an adjacent equine health product sold through the same retail/SQP channel rather than as a direct testing competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/westgatelabs.uk
• Instagraminstagram.com/westgatelabs/?hl=en
• TikToktiktok.com/@westgatelabs
• Xx.com/westgatelabs

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Westgate Labs