A Guide to Careers in Veterinary Pathology in the UK
© 2007
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Anatomic Pathology
Anatomic pathology covers the traditional disciplines of gross pathology, histopathology and electron microscopy although there are constant developments in all fields. The correlation of injury with structural and functional changes at all levels of organisation of the organism is the starting point for the majority of therapeutic interventions.
In recent years there have been massive advances in the use of immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridisation as well as the developments in the technology to investigate pathology at the molecular level, which can almost be classified as separate sub-disciplines (genomics, proteomics, transcriptomics, metabonomics).
No matter the technical advances, the bedrock of the discipline has not changed dramatically over the years and gross pathology allied to light microscopy is still the starting point for many investigations. A sound basic education in pathology, followed by hands-on experience is the formula for success and there is no substitute for exposure to the practical aspects of anatomic pathology.
Programmes are available at all veterinary schools and some other institutions (VLA, Animal Health Trust). Funding (partial or in full) may be available from pharmaceutical companies, BBSRC, commercial diagnostic laboratories, RCVS Trust Fund, The Home of Rest for Horses, Animal Health Trust and the Wellcome Trust.
Positions are usually advertised in the Veterinary Record and in the jobs and vacancies section of each institution's web site and some other veterinary pathology web sites.
