Veterinary Clinical Pathology

Clinical pathology is important for the general and emergency care of both humans and animals. This practice is a commonly utilized tool in every veterinary clinic. Veterinary clinical pathology is the bedrock on which animal health welfare rests and veterinary pathologists throughout the world have made valuable contributions in the understanding in animal disease and their diagnosis and also in the teaching. Veterinary clinical pathology has made great strides in recent years. The advances may prove to be a great asset in the new millennium in research, disease investigation and differential diagnosis of animal diseases. With the advancement of knowledge most sensitive, quick, reliable and specific methods for diagnosis have been evolved. These methods are proving invaluable to the disease investigators. Moreover, modern techniques and tools are able to differentiate diseases at a molecular level. Recent advances in veterinary pathology, narrated in this review should be taken as complementary to the conventional methods of clinical pathology, histopathology and various cultural and serological tests. Most conventional methods have stood the test of time and would undoubtedly work in tandem with the newer molecular tools in veterinary pathology. Strong inputs of modern technology have to go into the various aspects of health care, viz. disease surveillance, prevention and effective therapeutic measures. The field of clinical pathology involves the laboratory analysis of bodily fluids, such as blood and urine, to study and diagnose diseases in animals. One of the primary techniques used in clinical pathology is histology, which involves the study of microscopic anatomy of the cells in the blood to determine their phenotype, function and relative abundance. Histology is a major focus of this book and a number of articles reviewing this specialty are given. Aside from histology this book also provides numerous examples of specific diseases and their diagnosis using techniques in clinical pathology. Some of the diseases, conditions and treatments discussed in this book include dermatological diseases, meningoencephalomyelitis, pain and inflammation, Monensin Toxicosis infection, Kidney ischaemia reperfusion injury, hormone replacement therapies, endosulfan, tadalafil and ochratoxin-A therapies, hepatitis, burns and cancer which is discussed in detail. Along with veterinary professionals, animal owners may gain valuable insights into clinical pathology through reviewing these materials. This book is intended to help prospective and active pathology trainees, their mentors, and educational administrators optimize opportunities to ensure the future vitality of veterinary pathologists, and their contributions, in basic and applied research.