What is veterinary pathology and who are veterinary pathologists?

These two are the questions some of you might be wondering since I have yet to proper explain.

pathos = suffering
logos = study

In a nutshell, veterinary pathology is a branch of science dedicates to the study of animal diseases. It is one of the many core subjects, taught in veterinary medicine. We learn about pathogenesis of diseases (how and why a disease occurs, and what are the consequences eg. how does a tumour occur) and lesions (what happened to the body eg. inflammation).
 

To be a veterinary pathologist, one needs to have a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree or equivalent, spends at least three years in a post-grad training eg. residency, and then sits the American or European board exam becoming a diplomate of the college - total of 8 or 11 years in uni minimum. That sounds rather excruciating but I'm almost half way there, yeah! Furthermore, there are two branches in the field, namely clinical and and anatomical. Clinical pathologists basically read blood and biochemistry profiles, and deal with samples of live tissues while anatomical pathologists examine fixed tissued and perform necropsies. I have spent a quite considerable amount in both, but aim to speciliase and become the latter.

Now, what do veterinary pathologists do? They seek to gain understandings of pathogenesis and lesions. The roles of veterinary pathologists are thoroughly described in the following excerpt from American College of Veterinary Pathologists:


"....... Why Are Veterinary Pathologists Important?
Veterinary pathologists improve and protect human and animal health by:

• Diagnosing disease in companion and zoo animals, and wildlife. Veterinary pathologists examine animal tissue and body fluids to diagnose disease and predict outcomes.
• Diagnosing disease in food-producing animals. By determining causes of disease, veterinary pathologists help maintain herd health and establish if there is a risk to humans handling or consuming the meat or milk of food animals.
• Contributing to drug discovery and safety. Because of their broad-based biomedical training, veterinary pathologists serve as key members of pharmaceutical research and development teams.
• Conducting research. With experience in diseases of multiple species, veterinary pathologists are uniquely qualified to perform studies to advance our understanding of the cause and methods to prevent disease in animals and humans......."

Lastly, the reason for having an image of Contagion (2011) in the post. It has a lot to do with veterinary profession, and one of the Diplomates of ACVP was the scientific consultant during the production, here! I have got to see the film that some point :)

Roles and responsibilities of veterinarians

I'm sitting in my room, drinking a long macchiato, and wondering about what is beyond my to-come graduation and so on. But, there is usually one thing that I usually keep thinking when I have time for my mind drift philosophically: what are my roles and responsibilities as a veterinarian apart from the stuff that set up by the AVMA and AVA?

Hmmm... I can't hear my heart

The answer in response has always been changing through my yet-to-end veterinary training, and it will continue to be so. When I first entered the vet school, it was just simply treating the patients. Be it dogs, cats, horses, cattle, sheep, rats, mice snakes, spiders! etc. Over the years, I have added, tweaked and formulated a long response, which now becomes more like an equation and includes:

1. Consult with clients in regard to their concern with their pet, and provide up-to-date information so that a well informed decision can be made in the best interest of the patient.
2. Utilise the knowledge to approach the problem, on ethical and compassionate grounds.
3. Understand, value and endearvour to cherish the bond between human and animal.
4. Provide sound and well informed opinion to the general public in regard to issues related to the profession, in addition to educate pet owners.
5. Contribute, where possible, to the advancement of scientific knowledge and research, as well as the training of future veterinarians.
6. Participate in continued education and pursue one's interest in veterinary discipline and expertise.

With those said, I strongly view myself as a source of information for clients. However, clients facing with a dilemma frequently turns to veterinarians and ask this particular question that I'm really reluctant to answer in a consult, especially when dealing with a potential euthanasia: What would you do if he/she (the animal) is your pet?

"Damn, she/he is definitely not my pet. I'm not the one paying for the treatment bill. Can't you use your brain and make up your mind?" I say in my head before respond with a blurb I have for this situation in an auto-pilot mode.

"I'm afraid that it's not my responsibility to make a decision about Insert the animal's name. There is no right or wrong choice, so what you believe is the right decision is right, and I'm not here to judge." I say in a matter of fact tone but with sympathy, while looking at the client.

Nowsdays, pets are in general as part of the family in the western society. Many people consider their pet as their child. Therefore, I do not see myself morally and legally proper to be making such decision for someone else under the above circumstance.

Pathology and I

As the blog name has suggested, I have a passion for veterinary pathology and consider pursuing it as a career path.  At the start of the veterinary medical course, we all just thought about becoming a vet. I definitely didn't know about other fields in the profession, so let alone the thought of becoming a veterinary pathologist. The first glimpse I had of pathology is when we have to study paraclinical subjects eg. parasitology, microbiology: bacteriology and virology, and pathology. The whole field is basically working behind the scene, in a laboratory, and dealing with the diagnostic aspect of medical conditions. Paraclinicians work together with clinicians ie veterinarians, who take primary response of a case, but we are the people who pet owners rarely get to see.

I'm still questioning as to how I became so interested and keen, even though I have yet to complete the veterinary course and get exposed to all the clinical training. First of all thoughts, I have pretty much figured out that treating patients and doing surgeries are not my cup of tea. Dealing with what drugs to used is bearable, but the financial aspect while dealing with the clients is buggering. On the other hand, paraclinicians simply perform the tests, which are requested and believed to be of the most diagnostic value by the prinary-care veterinarians, and are paid by the their clients.

Becoming a surgeon is often what one aspires to be, but the so-called aspiration changes after several times of having to stand,  bend over, and do a surgery through a little hold on a patient hole for hours - for which I respect surgeons. Also not to mention, one has to ingrain the aseptic technique (minimising bacterial contamination) and certain "good" surgical habits while doing a surgery (which I have already done so). That aside, there is a specialist surgeon I know, who has a hilarious sense of humours, said at smiling at me "Surgeries are easy - if in doubt just cut. We don't need to think and we leave thinking to pathologists" And he is right; I have a wondering mind while having a cup of tea or coffee.

I am certainly not the type of person who likes dealing with the general public, in contrary to my mates' belief as I was elected several representative positions: student rep council during high school, a student club secretary, social and educational rep of student society etc. They view me as a socialite, and I have to add that they're right to a certain extent, but their view would change once we start talking about clients behind the scene. Dealing with some clients can be very challenging, and I wonder how many times I said "What the f!@#$?!?" or "Shut the f!@#$ up and listen to me" in my head while I was smiling to them - having my mask on there. Often this leaves me feeling empathic towards our human counterpart - dealing with in-compliant patients. In addition, my family business deals with lots of people and I have witnessed too many funny people, perhaps. My mum is also partially responsible for this as I took after her trait of hate dealing with the general public.

Many of you may think that doing necropsies is disgusting and gory, but veterinarians deal with muddles on a daily basis. For example, a small animal veterinarian treating a moribund sick dog with haemorrhagic (bloody) effusions coming from the front and back ends,  and a large animal veterinarian getting farted and bio-organic materials splashed on their face during a rectal (back-end) examination. Veterinary profession isn't glamourous, and it is full of messes, but as a veterinary pathologist, I know when I'm getting dirty and can be prepared for it at the very least - think lab coats, overalls, gloves, gumboots and masks. Apart form an occasional risk of being exposed to nasty pathogens, all else is under my control - yes, I'm a control freak.

Last but not least, the global demand of young bright paraclinicians succeeds the supply as the majority of work force in the industry is greying away and expiring (exactly as said to me by one of veterinary pathologists, whom I adore) and the number just steadily declines. It wouldn't be hard for a paraclinician to find a job in the near future, which is an added bonus for me :)

Bullies and high school experience

There has recently been quite a lot of public and media attention regarding school bullies. I recall the experience of my high school years.

As mentioned in the previous post, I did my high school in Australia. The school was located in the rural Victoria though it wasn't that far from Melbourne. At that time, I wasn't out to myself even a tiny bit but knew very well that I'm different.

I had been bullied a few times in another school previously and was able to stand up for myself at the end. But, it took a while for me to build my confidence up and work up to the level. The whole thing really made me try hard to change and get into the jock group. So, I made sure that happened once I setttled down in the new school. Apart from compartmentalising my life, I balanced my study and social life. Wearing contact lens, waxing/gelling my hair, doing more sports, practising kick-boxing, getting involved in fights, breaking school rules while excelling in studies - being well rounded, I guess. Still, I was impervious to my sexuality to the extent that derogatory comments about gay didn't even register into my brain - totally dissociated and beyond.

On several occasions at school, I had witnessed bullies in and out of the classrooms. The usaual name callings and derogatory remarks like " faggot" and "poof" were heard on a weekly basis. I remembered thinking "Oh no, that poor guy is getting mashed again", and the poor guy would sometimes right into my eyes, knowing that I am a student representive council and could do something to stop it. However, I didn't do anything and just left the scene. Had I told my school mates to stop, they would listen and left the guy alone. Teachers would sometimes witnessed the incidents, then rush in and stop the bullies. Damage dealt, though.

Guilt is what one feels when one believes that something could have been done to make a difference. Isn't a superior supposed to protect his/her subordinates? Certainly, I could have somewhat extend my aegis and done better than just ignoring those incidents.

Bits about me

Introduction about myself would be a good start, I guess.

I am from a Chinese family in Thailand and grew up with lots of noises and screams along with two siblings. In comparison to the rest of the family, I have been the most nerdy person in my family and decided to came alone to study high school in Melbourne, Australia while knowing very little English back then. Since then almost a decade has passed, my education still continue and it won't be long until I become a veterinarian, in spite of parental disagreement and their will for me to succeed the family business.

The fact that I am gay did not register properly into my head until early 2010. Although I knew there is something different in me for a long time, I grew up believing it was just a phase or a teenage-thing while suppressing it deep.  After coming to term with my sexuality, I have come out to close friends and still working on it.

Because of my intense study-load, my gay and social life have been somewhat lacking. Sleepless nights, long study hours and overdosing of caffeine. One thing my friends and I often joke about is that perhaps we should do some intravenous injections of caffeine ourselves rather than drinking coffee to keep us awake (fortunately we are not that desperate yet).

Career-wise, I have a keen interest in veterinary pathology and I hope to be able to call myself a veterinary pathologist someday. Hence, the profile name GVP and blog name Gay Vet Pathologist.

Unless I am stuck to my desk or running around the country for my clinical placements, time is spent with my mates doing intense activities, like marathon training and surfing, or having gourmand moments, hunting decent caffeine outlets and dining out. So you can expect me blogging about my foodie habits, especially about coffee.

Welcome!

Over the years, I have read through several interesting blogs and thought that one day I will create my own blog. Now that I'm procrastinating my studies towards exams, it seems like a good time (not ideal) to start my blog.

The main policies for this blog are honesty and anonymity so everything I write will be genuine and true to the best of my memory, and pseudonyms will be used.

Cheers,
GVP