VETPAT Veterinary Pathology

This two-year Master develops and deepens the notions aimed at applying veterinary pathology in the diagnostic field, with mentions of general pathology, pathological anatomy (macroscopic and microscopic), including forensic pathology, and diagnostic and research techniques in the main domestic species, with mentions of wild/exotic, water, aviary and lab species. All topics will be dealt with according to the most recent international scientific literature (https://www.ecvpath.org/literature-list-2024/). Lectures and internships on every module of the course will be carried out mainly by certified professionals (i.e., ECVP/ACVP/ECVCP) or by graduates with proven experience in the relevant topics. The activities will be carried out mainly only, on the Zoom platform, on Friday afternoon, between 2 and 6 p.m. The lessons include both lectures and practice on digital material (histological slides and macroscopic images). There will also be in-person meetings over the weekend, for hands-on activities and exams. The overall mandatory attendance is at least 70% of the course. There will be learning assessment tests for each module, a final exam and a project work (a short scientific essay that will be published on a peer-reviewed international journal).

The Master is addressed only to graduates of Veterinary Medicine, with Italian or foreign degree (all lessons will be held in Italian). No specific experience is required, only a strong interest in exploring the field of Veterinary Pathology. After acquiring the title, students will be able to deal with cases of veterinary necroscopic and histo/cytopathological diagnostics, and with some research activities related to veterinary pathology, according to high professional standards. Professionals may work in the private and public sectors, such as in veterinary diagnostic companies and labs, pharmaceutical companies, animal pathological anatomy inspection companies, public veterinary healthcare units (e.g. Local Healthcare Units and Zooprophylactic institutes), zoos and university research.

Module 1: General and molecular veterinary pathology

Understanding the four main aspects of general pathology: etiology, pathogenetic mechanisms, general structural alterations in cells and body tissues (morphological damage), and the main functional consequences. This module will include about 50 hours of online lessons. 

Module 2: Specialist veterinary pathological anatomy

Understanding organ pathologies by referring to their causes, pathogenesis, and related morphological injuries. This module will include about 50 hours of online lessons, and will be carried out in sequence with Module 4. Also, there will be two in-person residential weekends for practice on macroscopic injuries. 

Module 3: Forensic pathology and necroscopic diagnostic

A critical approach to forensic cases and application of forensic methods to legal cases. In particular, this module will cover the following topics: thanatology and taphonomy; crime scene examination and data recovery; forensic necroscopic diagnostic techniques and diagnostic findings; national and international laws on animal welfare and abuse; specific terminology; physiopathology of death; accidental and non-accidental pathological anatomy injuries; poisoning. This module will include 40 hours of online lessons, and two residential weekends (in person) for practice on forensic cases. 

Module 4: Veterinary histopathology and cytopathology

Recognition of morphological tissue injuries at histological level, through the formulation of morphological diagnoses, including possible causes and pathogenesis. This module will include about 40 hours of on-line lessons, mainly in the form of practice on digitalized histological and cytological slides. This module will be completed alongside Module 2. Also, there will be two (in-person) residential weekends for practice on histological injuries, including also the histological descriptive technique, as per indications of the ECVP exam. 

Module 5: Macroscopic veterinary pathology

Recognition of morphological tissue injuries found in tissues, organs and systems at macroscopic level, by formulating morphological diagnoses, including the identification of possible causes and pathogenetic processes, as per indication of the ECVP exam. This module includes about 30 hours of online lessons, mainly carried out on macroscopic injury images, based on domestic animal species, with mentions of non-domestic/non-mammal species.

Module 6: Lab techniques applied

Understanding and application of basic and innovative diagnostic and research methods, applied to veterinary pathology, with short references also to toxicological pathology, research study plans, and applied statistics. This module will include about 30 hours of online lessons. Also, there will be two in-person residential weekends for lab practice on the main techniques.

The Master faculty will comprise certified professionals (i.e., ECVP/ACVP/ECVCP) or graduates with proven experience in several fields. Many professors are already involved in post-graduate training, also in preparation to the ECVP exam, and, in some cases, to the ECVCP exam. The two-year Master will ideally represent a contribution for the two-year ECVP training, which includes 1 year of post-graduate internship, and more than 3 years of training for the normal course.

The Master In-person weekends will be carried out between Thursday and Saturday, or between Friday and Sunday. The University of Padua (BCA Dep., Agripolis, Legnaro, PD), and the University Federico II in Naples (MVPA Dep. Naples), will be certainly involved in those activities; however, even other Italian sites may give their availability for practical activities. They will be carried out in small groups, even on a rotational basis, if needed.