VETERINARY COLLEGE AND RESEARCH INSTITUTE, TIRUNELVELI

DEPARTMENT OF VETERINARY PATHOLOGY

Department of Veterinary Pathology with full fletched facilities came in to existence in the year 2012 with the following mandates: Education, diagnostic pathology services, research and training to students, researcher, farmers and animal owners. The department is highly dedicated to educate the undergraduate students by teaching the prescribed courses offered by Veterinary Council of India (VCI). These courses are being taught by means of interactive lectures, demonstration and hands on practical for the advancement of knowledge in veterinary Pathology. The diagnostic pathology service includes gross and microscopic examination of all companion animals, farm animals, poultry and wild animals. The department also examines surgical biopsies and field samples received from Veterinary Clinical Complex unit and field veterinarians for histopathological diagnosis.

Objectives

To provide good quality undergraduate education.
To carry out diseases diagnosis of livestock, poultry, wild animals, fish, etc., by our services like post-mortem examination, clinical pathological work and histopathology.
To uplift the farmers livelihood by the proper disease diagnosis and controlling the disease outbreaks.
To provide training programmes to the field Veterinarians on necropsy diagnostic techniques, biopsy techniques, samples collection, etc.,
To work incessantly on oncology, toxicopathology and molecular diagnosis for the confirmation of diseases in animals.
To carry out field oriented research works.

Education

Under-graduate courses – B.V.Sc., & A.H Programme

Veterinary Pathology – VPP (Second Professional Year) 4+2 credit hours
VCP 411, 421 and 511 - Veterinary Clinical Practice - Diagnostic section (Allied courses) 0+5 credit hours

Post-graduate courses – M.V.Sc., Programme

Research and Extension

The department plays a vital role in the advancement of knowledge of Veterinary Pathology through investigative field research. The pathology staff members are part of the team that investigates any outbreaks in and around Tirunelveli and nearby districts of Tamilnadu. Faculties of this department in collaboration with forest officials are involving in variety of outbreaks. Thrust areas identified are - Prevalence, aetio-pathology and diagnosis of poultry diseases, Cytological, pathological and molecular diagnosis of canine neoplasms, A necropsy survey on common diseases/pathological conditions in wild life in and around Tirunelveli, System-wise approach on various pathological conditions in small ruminants, Clinico-pathological diagnosis of haemoprotozoan diseases in small ruminants and cattle and Epidemiological, pathological and molecular diagnosis of canine leptospirosis.

Diagnostic Services

The separate wing of Clinical Pathology laboratory, a unit of the department of Veterinary Pathology is located within the Veterinary Clinical Complex block. It is staffed by Veterinary Pathologist. It is a well equipped laboratory committed to performing high quality, timely, comprehensive and accountable laboratory testing of animal specimens in the areas of hematology, clinical chemistry, cytology and urinalysis. The emphasis is being focused to extend interpretation of diagnostic laboratory data to the clinicians and ultimately serving the clients. We are also dedicated to educating undergraduate students in clinical pathology through interactive classes, hands on laboratory work on rotation basis.

To the farmers ideologies and suggestions related to treatment, control, preventive measures and farm management were given based on the post-mortem diagnosis of their animals.
Wherever an opportunity arise the department staff help in training field veterinarians and other faculty department in interpretation of results, disease prevention, surveillance and control programmes.
The department has conducted various field investigation for domestic livestock and for some other species like Whale, dolphins, etc.,

Outreach programme

Routine screening of various clinical samples for diagnosis of parasitic diseases to effect control and prevention.
Participating in disease investigation work as and when required by the Dept. of Animal Husbandry and VUTRCs.
Guest lectures, Radio / TV talks are being given regularly for the benefit of farmers, students and academicians
Short technical messages beneficial to the farmers are routinely delivered through AIR.
Preparation of pamphlets in English and Tamil on parasitic diseases, diagnosis and control including zoonotically important diseases of human
Writing books and popular articles in English and Tamil on parasitic diseases
Offering outreach programmes on diagnosis and control of parasitic diseases through TV and All India radio
Training the field veterinarians, livestock inspectors and lab technicians

Facilities

The department is having well established infrastructures like individual room space for each section with all the equipments to cater the needs of students, farmers and researchers. The department is having well established necropsy, cytology, clinical pathology, histopathology and immuno-histochemistry laboratory facilities to serve the needs of the undergraduate students and farmers. It also established with two examination halls for conducting examinations.

Animal Pathology Museum

An attractive full fletched museum with modern LED lighting facility was created and functioning in the department.
The museum is holding around 300 specimens showing different gross lesions of pathological significance, meant for undergraduate teaching and also to display for school students, farmers, general public, etc.,
Separate section in the museum lab is provided to display fish pathology models.

Animal Necropsy Room

A well established separate animal necropsy room is available in the department to carry out post-mortem examination of animals.
The room is provided with different sections and facilities to carry out large animal, small animal, canine and rabies post-mortem examinations separately.
Provisions needed for post mortem examinations are kept ready and also facilities available to store gross specimens for preparation.
Backend of the necropsy room is provided with proper disposal systems.

Histopathology and Molecular Oncology Laboratory

A well established histopathology laboratory with automated tissue processing, staining facilities along with microscopic facilities are available to carry out common diagnostic services like preparation of tissue blocks, microslides, different specialized staining techniques, photomicrography, etc.,
Recently, a separate analytical wing has been created to conduct molecular oncology works like Immunocytochemistry and Immunohistochemistry works.
The laboratory is also stocked with many antibodies of diagnostic importance particularly for assessing the nature, behavior invasiveness and prognostic significance of different animal tumours.

Clinical Pathology Laboratory

A laboratory with complete facilities for conducting haematology works and biochemical analysis of blood samples has been created recently for imparting knowledge to undergraduate students and also for the benefit of farmers and animal owners.
Automated haematology unit and automated biochemical analysis units
Research scholars of the college, farmers, and veterinarians of forest department are regularly using the facilities and benefitted. Different

Undergraduate Practical Class Room

Undergraduate class rooms with all facilities are provided for the benefit of students undergoing pathology courses.
Display charts of size 11/2 x 1’ depicting gross lesions and histopathological changes are prepared and kept in the class room for easy understanding of the concept of Veterinary Pathology.
Around 250 laminated charts of size 1 x ¾ for each courses of Veterinary Pathology was prepared and kept in display in the class room for betterment of students.
The room is also provided with LCD projection systems and uninterrupted power supply for continuous teaching and learning.

Examination Halls - I and II

Two numbers of examination halls (Hall 1 and 2) are attached with the department for conducting internal and external university examination for students of all batches.
It also provided with uninterrupted power supply by means of 62.5 Kva Genset during examination days.

Research

University Sub-project (TANUVAS) on Cytological and histopathological assessment of cutaneous neoplasms in canines was completed during the period 2019 - 2020.

Tranining Programs/ Competitions

The Department of Veterinary Pathology had organised a two days International Webinar Programme on “Recent developments in pathobiology and diagnosis of animal and poultry diseases – A new prospective approach” for the benefit of researcher, students and farmers on 15.10.2020 and 16.10.2020.
A National Online Quiz Programme on the title “Science of Veterinary Pathology and Parasitology” was organized on 15.10.2021.

Faculty

Dr. R.Thangathurai, Professor and Head |thangspath@gmail.com| Mobile: +91-9444546027
Dr. V. Kumar, Assistant Professor | drkumar2000@gmail.com| Mobile: +91- 9488032514
Dr. K. Gopal, Assistant Professor | drvetpal@gmail.com|Mobile: +91- 9786470039

The Professor and Head,
Department of Veterinary Pathology,
Veterinary College and Research Institute, Tirunelveli - 627 358.
Phone: +91-462-2336345
E-mail: vppvcritni@tanuvas.org.in