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.

 

Assessment of the health of an animal by the sampling of bodily fluids and cytology of other in vivo samples is the basis of the practice of clinical pathology. Assessment is made in four main areas:

1. Haematology of blood and bone marrow.

2. Biochemistry including endocrinology of blood, serum, plasma and urine.

3. Cytology of body fluids, bone marrow and various organs by fine needle techniques.

4. Specialist techniques including immunophenotyping for neoplasia and various immunology techniques are also available.

There is an important technological component to the analysis of the samples obtained because much of haematology, biochemistry and endocrinology uses specialised machinery. Cytology requires microscopy expertise. The interpretation of the results requires both expertise and experience.

Just as anatomic pathology cannot be considered in isolation, clinical pathology findings must also be correlated with the results of other investigations (e.g. radiography and ultrasound) as well as the clinical history and findings from physical examination. A background in clinical practice, therefore, is essential.

Specialisation in clinical pathology is considered necessary for most aspects of veterinary pathology and there are career opportunities in all areas of employment.

Specialist post-graduate qualifications are now available from the Royal College of Pathologists, and the European College of Veterinary Clinical Pathology (ECVCP). In the USA and Canada the American College of Veterinary Pathology (ACVP) also has a specialist qualification in clinical pathology.

Often neglected are the disciplines that lie outside the mainstream of veterinary pathology such as bacteriology, virology, parasitology and disease control. Infectious disease still remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality that represents a constant threat to domestic pets, farm animals and man with new and emerging disease threats as a result of climate change and global movement of people and livestock.

Although many positions in microbiology have been undertaken by non-veterinarians, it is still desirable to recruit veterinarians if there is not to be a gradual dislocation between these scientific disciplines and the clinical approach to veterinary medicine.

The skills are mainly required in the academic, commercial diagnostic and government sectors.