Westchester Career Guide

Few things stir raw human emotions as much as the loss of a cherished pet or livestock that may represent a family’s livelihood. For many, healing just won’t happen until they understand the “why.”

When an animal dies, it’s the veterinary pathologist who helps families answer the “why” … and find some sense of closure after their loss.

“I think that veterinary pathologists provide invaluable services to the practicing veterinary clinicians and their clientele, by offering answers or solutions to herd health issues or individual animal problems,” says Dr. Leah A. Kuhnt, a veterinarian and Diplomate American College of Veterinary Pathologists. Dr. Kuhnt is a Veterinary Diagnostic Specialist with Thompson Bishop Sparks State Diagnostic Laboratory in Auburn, Ala.

Very few people actually interact directly with those veterinary pathologists who focus their careers on diagnostics. Day in and day out, they generally work with veterinarians who refer special cases to them.

So what does a veterinary diagnostic pathologist actually do? If an animal is ill or has died, veterinary diagnostic pathologists examine blood, tissues and fluids to understand what caused the disease or death. You’ll find veterinary pathologists in diagnostic labs, like Dr. Kuhnt, or at universities where they teach, conduct research and provide clinical service for their area.

Most days are a bustle of activity, Kuhnt says. Interesting and unusual cases provide a constant source of education. “A good day involves collaboration and teamwork, sharing of ideas and problems, so that the best solutions are found,” she continues. “And at the end of that day, we’ve helped a veterinarian, pet owner or farmer understand more about the disease that impacted their animal, and in some cases, understand how to help prevent future disease outbreaks.”

Why would anyone consider this as a potential career? Well most have great passion for caring for animals. For Kuhnt, it started at an early age in Western Kentucky. “I knew that veterinary medicine was where my career interests were,” she recalls. “Veterinary pathology allowed me to combine my enthusiasm for science and medicine with my fascination of the complexities of the body and its workings, which normally seem to run so smoothly and naturally, but so often and unfortunately go awry.”

Veterinary diagnostic pathology is a rapidly expanding field, with growing career opportunities and expanded laboratory testing options for the diagnosis and monitoring of disease. They are also watching closely for signs of foreign or zoonotic diseases.

Kuhnt offers some practical advice for those who want to pursue a similar career path. “Study hard. Focus on science and math courses, but be sure to round out your curriculum and expand your horizons, because the medical world is global and multicultural, and often relies on a multi-faceted approach. Learn to study effectively and hone time management skills. But most importantly, enjoy your educational experience.”

Diagnostic testing has become an important market sector in veterinary medicine, and the American College of Veterinary Pathologists (ACVP) provides guidelines on quality and standards, and helps ensure adequate training opportunities that provide qualified veterinary clinical pathologists for the future.

For more on veterinary diagnostic pathology, and all fields associated with veterinary pathology, be sure to check out the careers section of www.acvp.org.

Courtesy: ARAcontent

Tags:

Animals/Pets, Counseling, diagnostic pathologist, pet loss counselors, veterinarians, veterinary clinicians, veterinary pathologist, veterinary pathologists

 

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