Veterinary pathology

Barry Richards discusses the fascinating career opportunities available to veterinary pathologists

What sorts of jobs are available for a veterinary pathologist?

Barry Richards

In Australia, veterinary pathologists find employment in private veterinary laboratories (which are present in all capital cities in Australia), university veterinary schools, state and territory government veterinary laboratories and the CSIRO. A very small number also operate as private consultants and some work directly with industry groups and livestock companies. An even smaller number work in zoos.

The scope of veterinary pathology includes diagnostic services, research and teaching. Most jobs in universities involve a mix of all three. In government it is mostly diagnostic and research, in CSIRO mostly research. In private veterinary laboratories, which service the leisure animal industry primarily, the work is all diagnostic and involves clinical pathology as well as anatomical pathology.

Apart from your veterinary degree, what education or training do you need?

In Australia, the entry level qualification is Membership of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists (Pathobiology Chapter). Most candidates would need a minimum of two years full time training before sitting the qualifying examination.

The advanced level qualification is membership of the American or European Colleges (Diplomate American College of Veterinary Pathologists, or membership of the European College of Veterinary Pathologists). The only Australian equivalent is Fellowship of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists (FACVSc) which has quite stringent entry requirements. DACVP in America has examinations for both clinical pathology and anatomical pathology. Very few people are dual certified.

Initial training can be done 'on the job', by working under supervision in a busy laboratory, or by obtaining a training position at a university. Residencies are offered by most veterinary schools.

What type of person do you need to be to be successful?

Veterinary pathologists need enquiring minds and an ability to recall visual patterns (for gross and histopathology), since pathology is an image-rich discipline. Being able to make a diagnosis by assimilating information from clinicians, post mortems and a number of laboratory tests is a specialised skill that takes some years to acquire. Working full time, and with a good case load, it normally takes 5 - 10 years to develop these skills to a high level. Consequently, to be a successful pathologist requires patience, persistence and a commited attitude.

What’s it like being a veterinary pathologist? What does your job entail?

Diagnostic (anatomic) pathologists spend a lot of time examining histological sections for lesions, appraising reports from veterinarians in the field or the clinic, and interpreting the results of specific tests in microbiology, virology, biochemistry, toxicology, parasitology, immunology, haematology and cytology. Post mortem examinations are also conducted, but the number will vary depending on location.

Research pathologists will work in one or more of these specialised areas and, in addition, spend much of their time on experimental design, statistical analysis, grant applications and scientific publications. Working in research generally means working in a team.

Working as a clinical pathologist (assessing results from live animals) means examining haematological results, blood smears, cytology preparations, blood and serum biochemistry and endocrinology results, and appraising these in light of the clinician's observations.

How do you make the first step in a career as a veterinary pathologist?

The best way to gain an appreciation for what it is like to work as a pathologist is to spend some time with qualified pathologists in each of the fields outlined above. Most institutions will happily accommodate 'observers' for short periods of time - a few days to a week is usually sufficient. So the first step would be to contact your local university veterinary school, state department of agriculture and private laboratory to arrange visits. CSIRO has a large veterinary laboratory at Geelong (the Australian Animal Health Laboratory) which is the reference centre for exotic diseases - it will also host visitors for this purpose if you are able to travel to Victoria.

What does the career path look like after you take your first step?

A career in veterinary pathology offers the broad scope outlined above, so advancement will depend on the particular specialist area chosen.

Basic qualifications (MACVSc in Pathobiology) are broad, allowing you to work in any of these areas for some time before deciding which path you will eventually take.

Advanced qualifications (DACVP, MECVP, FACVSc) generally provide entry to any of these fields and, since these are internationally recognised qualifications, acceptance in overseas posts. Entry to the international market opens a new door, that of industrial pathology, which means working for pharmaceutical and related companies, mostly in laboratory animal research.

Advancement in a career in research will depend largely on your ability to attract research grants and to publish the results of your work in the scientific literature. Advancement in diagnostic pathology depends on your accumulated experience across a number of animal species and a broad range of diseases - together with your ability to communicate successfully with field and clinic veterinarians.

Universities have their own systems for career development, which will include assessments of your teaching and research success. CSIRO has a well structured system for career advancement. Some work experience is essential to appreciate the many variations in career development that these employers offer.