The study of anatomical, chemical and physiologic alterations in an animal as a result of disease. In the licensure examination the subject covers 3 topics namely: General, Systemic (Special) and Clinical. In order to arrive at an accurate diagnosis of diseases of terrestrial and aquatic animals, the veterinarian must have a good working knowledge of this subject.
I. GENERAL PATHOLOGY (35%)
It is concerned with the basic changes in tissues and cells both microscopic and macroscopic. The following areas are covered and should be reviewed:
1. Basic pathology and definition terms
2. The cell: normal and pathological
3. Degenerative change: necrosis and death.
4. Disturbances in circulation - hyperemia, congestion, embolism, edema, thrombosis, infarction
5. Inflammation and repair - function, components exudates, tissue injury and fever, healing, therapeutic influences, regeneration.
6. Disturbances of growth - hyperplasia, hypertrophy, atrophy, malformations and aging.
7. Neoplasms - classification, microscopic and macroscopic appearance, diagnosis.
8. Host parasite relationships - infectious disease processes and pathogenesis of disease.
SAMPLE QUESTIONS
1. What structure in the cell is the metabolic center for forming new or breaking down new compounds?
a. Mitochondria
b. Smooth endoplasmic reticulum
c. Rough endoplasmic reticulum
d. Golgi apparatus
2. What do you call these inflammatory cells that resemble the prickle cells of the squamous epithelium?
a. Epitheloids
b. Neutrophils
c. Plasma cells
d. Macrophages
3. Which of the following anomalies does NOT belong to the group?
a. Aplasia
b. Hypoplasia
c. Atresia
d. Hyperplasia
4. What will be the result if the proteins (colloids) are depleted in the capillary system?
a. Decrease of tissue fluid
b. Increase of tissue fluid
c. Dehydration
d. Capillary hemorrhage
5. What is the pathological term when the normal body opening is absent?
a. Hypoplasia
b. Aplasia
c. Agenesis
d. Atresia
II. SYSTEMIC PATHOLOGY (35%)
The veterinarian must be able to apply the basic alteration/pathological changes learned in general pathology and correlate these with the clinically diagnosed specific diseases. Post mortem techniques and pathology diagnosis of all the organs concerned is part of this subject that must be learned by the veterinarian.
The following systems of the animal must be studied and reviewed:
1. Integumentary system
2. Musculo-skeletal
3. Respiratory
4. Cardiovascular
5. Hemic and lymphatic
6. Digestive
7. Urinary
8. Genital (male and female)
9. Endocrine
10. Nervous
11. Organ of special sense
12. Nutritional deficiencies
SAMPLE QUESTIONS
1. Improper disposal of fecal material in a poultry or piggery farm will produce poisonous gases and will cause the following pathological lesions:
- pulmonary edema
- hyperemia
- catarrhal inflammation of the air passages
What gas will produce these lesions?
a. H2S
b. CO2
c. CO
d. Cl
2. A young pig died within a few hours. Upon necropsy you found the following cardiac and pulmonary lesions:
- edema with spotted hemorrhages
- round shape heart
- pulmonary edema
What will be your pathologic diagnosis?
a. Mulberry heart disease
b. Myocarditis
c. Shaggy heart disease
d. Tiger heart disease
3. In what species of animals is gastric ulcers often encountered?
a. Sheep
b. Pigs
c. Dogs
d. Cattle
4. In what species of animals is perosis commonly seen?
a. Canine
b. Avian
c. Porcine
d. Bovine
5. What will be the result of Zn deficiency in pigs?
a. Dyskeratosis
b. Fluorosis
c. Hyperkeratosis
d. Parakeratosis
III. CLINICAL PATHOLOGY (30%)
In disease processes chemical alterations are produced in a sick animal. A good clinician should always resort to laboratory methods to arrive at an accurate diagnosis. The following laboratory examinations are going to be helpful to the veterinarian and therefore must be studied and reviewed.
1. Preparations, collection, preservations and transport of specimens from bacterial, viral and parasitic diseases.
2. Toxicology
3. Hematology - techniques for examinations
4. Clinical chemistry
5. Clinical enzymology
6. Water, electrolytes and acid base balance
7. Synovial fluids and miscellaneous fluids
8. Function tests for organs
9. Cerebrospinal fluids
10. Microbiological diagnosis
11. Avian clinical pathology
SAMPLE QUESTIONS
1. Prolonged clotting time is an indication of a severe disease in which of the following organs?
a. Bone marrow
b. Heart
c. Liver
d. Spleen
2. Which of the following blood picture in NOT correct when describing an unfavorable prognosis?
a. Temporary increase of monocytes
b. Persistent lymphopenia
c. Absence of eosinophils
d. Presence of toxic neutrophils
3. Which of the following elements will trigger the action of calcitonin?
a. Iron
b. Calcium
c. Phosphorus
d. Manganese
4. Which is the most expensive among the following anticoagulants?
a. Na oxalate
b. Na fluoride
c. Heparin
d. EDTA
5. What species of animal will ESR be useful in a preliminary diagnosis of disease?
a. Cattle
b. Sheep
c. Pig
d. Dog
REFERENCES
1. Food Animal Pathology and Meat Hygiene. 1991. With Section on Hazad Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) Drago Carl Herenda and Don A. Franco. Mosby Year Book St. Louise, Baltimore. Boston, Chicago, Londo, Philadelphia.
2. General Pathology. R.G. Thomson 1978, W.B. Saunders CO. Philadelphia. Locally available.
3. Histopathology. Thomas, C. 1989. B.C. Decker, Inc. Toronto and Philadelphia.
4. Pathology of Domestic Animals. Edited by D.C. Jubb, P.C. Kennedy and N. Palmer. 4th Ed. Academic Press, Inc. San Diego, USA
5. Principles of Veterinary Pathology. R.A. Runnells, W.S. Monlux and A.W. Monlux. Latest ed. Iowa University Press. Ames Iowa, USA.
6. Textbook of Comparative General Pathology. 1990. 2nd Ed. Ed. By David O. Slauson and Barry J. Cooper
7. Thomson’s Special Veterinary Pathology - W.W. Carlton and M. Donald Mc Garcia. 2nd Ed. 1995. St. Louis Mo. USA.
8. Veterinary Clinical Pathology. E.H. Coles. 1986. W.B. Saunders Co. Philadelphia, USA (Locally Available).
9. Veterinary Laboratory Medicine. 1981. Duncan, J.R. and Prasse, K.W.
10. Veterinary Pathology. T.C. Jones and R.D. Hunt. 5th Ed. 1983. Lea and Febiger. Philadelphia. USA.