Elective in anatomic pathology at a veterinary diagnostic laboratory. Opportunities are available for necropsy and/or surgical pathology experience.
The Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory is a full service veterinary diagnostic laboratory at Michigan State University with 9 service sections. In the Necropsy and Surgical Pathology service sections, there are 11 anatomic pathologists with a wide range of specializations including dermatopathology, oncopathology, ocular pathology, and molecular pathology. Support staff includes necropsy and histopathology technicians. The case load is large and diverse. The necropsy caseload includes cases from the Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine and at large submissions, and includes a wide range of small, large, production, and exotic animals. Surgical pathology cases often include intergrated molecular testing such as immunohistochemistry, lymphoma clonality testing, and specialized prognostic panels for melanocytic neoplasms and mast cell tumors. Students on rotation have access to microscopes, computers, necropsy guides, descriptive templates, and archived gross image and slide study sets.
Students in anatomic pathology electives in necropsy and biopsy typically spend 8 hours per day, 5 days per week in training. Under the supervision of faculty pathologists +/- anatomic pathology residents, students review and discuss case histories, clinical findings, and diagnostic modalities; perform necropsies and/or review surgical pathology cases; and write descriptive reports. Descriptive reports may include gross and/or histologic findings, and often intergrate additional laboratory testing in conclusions. All reports are reviewed in conjunction with a pathologist and/or resident. There are additional opportunities for attendance of system specific round sessions and training sessions for anatomic pathology residents inlcuding gross rounds, image review sessions, and slide review sessions.
Student housing may be available through the MSU residence halls. Availablity may be limited. Further details are available if a rotation is scheduled.