Course Descriptions

Basic pathogenic mechanisms that underlie disease processes are discussed. Functional derangements are correlated with structural alterations. The following topics are considered: cell and tissue injury, disturbances of circulation and hemostasis, inflammation, healing and repair, immunopathology, disturbances of growth and neoplasia.

Restriction(s): Must be enrolled in the first year of the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.) Program.
Note: Students with credit for VTPA 342 or VTPA 352 may not take this course for credit.

A case-based course designed to attain proficiency in the interpretation of laboratory findings and integration of these with historical and physical findings in order to diagnose disease. The format includes self-study, interactive lectures and case discussions, and applied laboratory techniques.

Restriction(s): Successful completion of Year 1 of the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program.
Note: Students with credit for VTPA 446.2 may not take this course for credit.

The principles discussed in general pathology will be utilized in the consideration of specific diseases which affect the body systems of domestic animals. Principles of pathogenesis and diagnosis will be stressed.

Restriction(s): Successful completion of Year 1 of the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program.
Note: Students with credit for VTPA 343.5 may not take this course for credit.

Designed to provide information on the causes, signs and control of common poultry diseases for students with little or limited background in the anatomy, physiology, microbiology and pathology of the avian species. Emphasizes the effect of disease as a limiting factor in efficient poultry production and the control of disease on a modern poultry farm. Given in alternate years.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours and 2 Practicum/Lab hours
Restriction(s): Enrolment in the College of Agriculture and Bioresources.

The objectives of this course are to provide an introduction to issues impacting wild and captive fish stocks globally. As well we will review some of the unique anatomical, histological and physiological attributes of fish. We will discuss the major diseases of fresh water and marine fish, both in the wild and in captivity. The students will be taught basic necropsy and diagnostic techniques employed in the investigation of fish mortalities. This course will be of interest to veterinarians planning a career in exotic pet medicine, zoological medicine, veterinary pathology, or wildlife veterinary medicine.

Restriction(s): Successful completion of Year 2 of the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program.
Note: This course will be an elective in Year 3.

A course designed to introduce the students to veterinary cytology and will focus primarily on the types of lesions and samples that veterinarians may encounter in routine practice. The course will be taught using a body systems approach and will include lecture and virtual microscopy laboratories.

Restriction(s): Successful completion of Year 2 of the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program.
Note: This course will be an elective in Year 3.

Common diseases of poultry, and food safety are discussed. Diagnosis, pathology, and disease control are emphasized.

Restriction(s): Successful completion of Year 2 of the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program.
Note: This course will be an elective in Year 3.

Introduction to wildlife health and disease with an emphasis on major wildlife disease issues in Canada and internationally and their impacts on wildlife conservation, public health and agriculture. The format will be a mix of lectures, in-class activities and student reports.

Restriction(s): Successful completion of Year 2 of the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program.
Note: This course will be an elective in Year 3.

To familiarize students with honey bee biology, basic beekeeping practices and the most important diseases in Canada. Certain topics will make reference to sustainable agriculture and ecosystem.

Restriction(s): Successful completion of Year 2 of the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program.
Note: This course will be an elective in Year 3.

Students will be introduced to a variety of forms of diagnostic pathology. This will include an introduction to the post mortem room and performing necropsies on diagnostic cases that have been submitted to PDS. In addition to this students will also be involved in the trimming of surgical biopsies. Following these tasks, the group will meet at the 9 headed microscope to be involved in the histologic examination of collected tissues. Students will also be introduced to the production of pathology diagnostic reports and how to interpret them as a clinician.

Restriction(s): Successful completion of Year 2 of the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program.
Note: This course will be an elective in Year 3.

Presented biennially in seminar format, this course provides an in-depth study of the hematopoietic system and hematological changes associated with disease states. Students will present selected hematology topics with an emphasis on current literature and participate in the description and discussion of a set of hematology slides.

Weekly hours: 1 Lecture hours and 2 Seminar/Discussion hours
Permission of instructor required.

Presented biennially in seminar format, this course provides an in-depth study of clinical biochemistry with an emphasis on methodology and quality assurance. Students will present selected biochemistry topics highlighting current literature and participate in the description and discussion of clinical case material.

Weekly hours: 1 Lecture hours and 2 Seminar/Discussion hours
Permission of instructor required.

Introduces students to the gross and microscopic postmortem examination of animals and tissues submitted for diagnosis. Pathogenesis and diagnostic procedures, including a variety of ancillary tests, are emphasized. Students will participate in the prosection of submitted specimens and description and discussion of a set of histologic slides. Selected cases are discussed at bi-weekly conferences and students are expected to present seminars based on case material.

Weekly hours: 2 Seminar/Discussion hours and 6 Clinical Service hours
Permission of instructor required.
Note: Students take VTPA 820 to 823 as a series from I through IV.

Students will spend four months on the diagnostic necropsy service duty roster. Student are expected to complete as many cases as the supervisor deems appropriate, however, a minimum of 30 cases is required for this course. Specific readings will also be assigned. Students are expected to present seminars based on case material.

Weekly hours: 2 Seminar/Discussion hours and 6 Clinical Service hours
Permission of instructor required.
Note: Students take VTPA 820 to 823 as a series from I through IV.

Students will spend four months on the diagnostic necropsy service duty roster. Student are expected to complete as many cases as the supervisor deems appropriate, however, a minimum of 40 cases is required for this course. Specific readings will also be assigned. Students are expected to present seminars based on case material.

Permission of instructor required.
Note: Students take VTPA 820 to 823 as a series from I through IV.

Students will spend four months on the diagnostic necropsy service duty roster. Student are expected to complete as many cases as the supervisor deems appropriate, however, a minimum of 50 cases is required for this course. Specific readings will also be assigned. Students are expected to present seminars based on case material.

Permission of instructor required.
Note: Students take VTPA 820 to 823 as a series from I through IV.

An introductory course in examination of biopsy material. Goals will be achieved through study of a set of histologic slides that represent the most common conditions encountered in Surgical Pathology and attendance at the Surgical Pathology rounds. There is limited participation in the biopsy roster.

Weekly hours: 1 Seminar/Discussion hours and 6 Clinical Service hours
Permission of instructor required.
Note: Students take VTPA 830 to 833 as a series from I through IV.

A course to acquire greater experience and knowledge through participation in the surgical path ology duty roster. The requirements are 4 months on the duty roster, completion of a minimum of 100 cases and participation in Surgical Pathology rounds.

Weekly hours: 1 Seminar/Discussion hours and 6 Clinical Service hours
Permission of instructor required.
Note: Students take VTPA 830 to 833 as a series from I through IV.

The requirements for Surgical Pathology III are 4 months on the duty roster, completion of a minimum of 100 cases and participation in Surgical Pathology rounds. This may be supplemented by study of case material.

Permission of instructor required.
Note: Students take VTPA 830 to 833 as a series from I through IV.

Graduate Student General Pathology is a course designed to enrich veterinarian foundational knowledge for veterinary graduate students of general pathology mechanisms, not only for the enhancement of their own career preparation, but also to specifically prepare them for Phase I of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists Board certification exam.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours
Prerequisite: Enrolment in a graduate program in Veterinary Pathology

Covers mechanisms of toxicology as well as basic pathology, focusing on several major organ systems. The students' understanding of how clinical, environmental or pharmacological toxicants damage specific organs will be supported through didactic instruction, case studies, directed readings and structured group discussion.

Weekly hours: 1 Lecture hours and 1 Seminar/Discussion hours and 1 Practicum/Lab hours
Prerequisite(s): VTPA 342 & 343 or equivalent, or TOX 402 & PATH 205, or permission of the instructor.
Note: Offered biennially.

The diagnostic clinical pathology courses, VTPA 850.3 through 853.3, involve interpretation of laboratory tests performed on blood, serum and urine specimens, and examination of blood, urine and cytology smears in order to assist in making a clinical diagnosis. Case material is supplemented with presentations, interactive discussions and directed reading.

Permission of instructor required.
Prerequisite(s): D.V.M. Degree and SVMA License

The diagnostic clinical pathology courses, VTPA 850.3 through 853.3, involve interpretation of laboratory tests performed on blood, serum and urine specimens, and examination of blood, urine and cytology smears in order to assist in making a clinical diagnosis. Case material is supplemented with presentations, interactive discussions and directed reading.

Prerequisite(s): VTPA 850 or permission of the instructor.

The diagnostic clinical pathology courses, VTPA 850.3 through 853.3, involve interpretation of laboratory tests performed on blood, serum and urine specimens, and examination of blood, urine and cytology smears in order to assist in making a clinical diagnosis. Case material is supplemented with presentations, interactive discussions and directed reading. The student is expected to be able to work with increasing independence in the diagnostic laboratory over the length of this course.

Prerequisite(s): VTPA 850 and VTPA 851 or permission of the instructor.

The diagnostic clinical pathology courses, VTPA 850.3 through 853.3, involve interpretation of laboratory tests performed on blood, serum and urine specimens, and examination of blood, urine and cytology smears in order to assist in making a clinical diagnosis. Case material is supplemented with presentations, interactive discussions and directed reading. The student is expected to be able to work independently in the diagnostic laboratory over the length of this course.

Prerequisite(s): VTPA 850, VTPA 851 and VTPA 852 or permission of the instructor.
Note: The student is expected to be able to work as an entry-level clinical pathologist in the diagnostic laboratory, with appropriate supervisory support, in order to take this course.

This 9-credit unit, year-long course provides veterinarians with prior training in various aspects of veterinary diagnostic pathology an opportunity to enhance and refine their skills, under the supervision of experienced, highly qualified veterinary pathologists. Time is also provided for intensive self-study and, possibly, teaching and other forms of scholarly activity.

Prerequisite(s): Individuals wishing to enroll in this course must 1) be graduates of a recognized program of veterinary medicine and, therefore, have earned a DVM degree or equivalent; 2) have prior training and demonstrated competence in veterinary diagnostic pathology; and 3) be eligible for licensure by the Saskatchewan Veterinary Medical Association.

Reviews the pathology of the avian species by systems emphasizing histopathology. Lectures will be supplemented by slide study sets and selected reading material.

Weekly hours: 1 Lecture hours and 2 Practicum/Lab hours
Permission of instructor required.
Note: May be offered biennially.

Introduces students to the necropsy and investigative techniques for the diagnosis of disease in wild mammals and birds. Under supervision, students will interpret and integrate gross and histological findings along with ancillary tests to provide diagnoses on a minimum of 25 cases. They are required to present one seminar on wildlife disease. The students will be given access to case material for self-study, in order to become familiar with common wildlife diseases.

Weekly hours: 1 Seminar/Discussion hours and 3 Clinical Service hours
Permission of instructor required.

Introduces students to the necropsy and investigative techniques for the diagnosis of disease in wild mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles and fish. Under supervision, students will interpret and integrate gross and histological findings along with ancillary tests to provide diagnoses on a minimum of 35 cases. They are required to present one seminar on wildlife disease. The students will be given access to case material for self-study, in order to become familiar with common wildlife diseases.

Weekly hours: 1 Seminar/Discussion hours and 3 Clinical Service hours
Permission of instructor required.

The main objective of this course is to provide the student an opportunity to study the principles of cytology and clinical pathology as well as gain experience evaluating clinical case data. This course will meet the requirements of the ACVS and ACVIM for board preparation in the respective fields.

The main objective of this course it to provide experience in anatomic pathology. This will be achieved by performing post-mortem examinations, histological evaluations of necropsy and biopsy specimens and review of principles of gross pathology. The course will meet the requirement of the ACSV and ACVIM for board preparation.

A thorough study on a selected topic in veterinary pathology will be undertaken. May include examination of pathological material, tutorial sessions, collateral reading and presentation of a seminar.

Weekly hours: 2 Clinical Service/Reading hours

A thorough study on a selected topic in veterinary pathology will be undertaken. May include examination of pathological material, tutorial sessions, collateral reading and presentation of a seminar.

Weekly hours: 2 Clinical Service/Reading hours

Recognizes the many clinical activities of students in the program that may not be otherwise credited. Students are required to make satisfactory progress in this course to maintain full-time student status in the program.

A weekly noon-hour seminar in which proposed and ongoing research, interesting cases in diagnostic veterinary pathology, wildlife disease, and topics of special interest will be presented. All graduate students are required to register and present a research seminar annually. Graduate students registered in diagnostic courses are also required to present brief case reports.

Students undertaking the M.Vet.Sc. must register in this course.

Students writing a M.Sc. thesis must register for this course.

Students writing a Ph.D. thesis must register for this course.