Careers in Veterinary Pathology

Pathology is the diagnoses of illnesses via testing of various body fluids, tissues and organs. Illnesses show their presence via signs in the blood and tissues, these illnesses are what the clinical pathologist tests for using such equipment as microscopes and centrifuges. The field has two major divisions: anatomic which is the analysis of tissue and clinical pathology which is diagnosis via the analysis of certain body fluids.

Qualifications of a veterinary pathologist

The veterinary pathologist will have to start out with a DVM, which is a doctor of veterinary medicine. This is a course lasting four years The course in veterinary pathology will usually involve a residency lasting two to three years. The goal of the residency will be to prepare them to be board certified by the American College of Veterinary Pathologists. In order to be board certified they will have to pass both a written and an oral examination and may be required to participate in at least one research project during the course of their study. Due to the strong emphasis on research called for in this branch of veterinary medicine, those seeking to become veterinary pathologists are strongly encouraged to write and publish papers.

Curriculum of a veterinary pathology college course

First year students will begin their pursuit of their veterinary pathology certificate by delving into anatomic pathology. The knowledge they will need in this area they will come by studying case material. They will need to study a broad range of case material including necropsy results. In the residents’ second year, they will be expected to thoroughly familiarize themselves with lab equipment and procedures and may also be required to write a research paper. All of this is to ensure that the resident has the requisite academic footing and research chops necessary to be a competent veterinary pathologist. While the third year, in most training programs is similar to the second year in terms of content, there will be higher expectations of the resident in terms of research knowledge. The constant throughout the residency program will be the importance of anatomic pathology. Residents will be expected to attend seminars and keep up their study in this area for the duration of their residency.