Dr. Ahrar Khan

 (Chairman)

Introduction and objectives

The Faculty of Veterinary Science was established on 5th November, 1962. It comprised of five Departments i.e. Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, Pathology and Bacteriology, Parasitology and Clinical Medicine and Surgery. In 1965, the Department of Pathology and Bacteriology was bifurcated into the Department of Pathology and Microbiology.

The Department of Pathology is dealing mainly with diseases of food producing animals and poultry. Our staff is dedicated to promote a strong, creative and intellectual environment where ideas are vigorously debated and rigorously tested. Located in the center of Pakistan's most intensive poultry and livestock producing area, the department reaches out and provides diverse experience in poultry and animal health. This department has major responsibility in undergraduate education (DVM) and offers 7 courses to DVM students. Apart from DVM students training, the Department is also engaged in producing highly skilled manpower in the form of postgraduate and so far this department has produced 212 M. Sc. (Hons) and 12 Ph.Ds.

Recently, the Department is going to offer a new postgraduate degree in Avian Health. This is again a landmark achievement in the professional activities and is a sign of continuous field demanded effort.

Mission Statement

The Department of Pathology is dedicated to the study, diagnosis and control of animal and poultry diseases through:  

i)          Supplying veterinary students with instructional materials and methods that are effective and clinically relevant as measured by peer review, course and national (standardized) examinations, and student evaluations,

ii)         Providing training that encourages success in the examinations of the Punjab/Federal Public Service Commission for placement in various organizations,

iii)         Promoting nationally recognized research projects that qualify for extramural funding by allocating resources and personnel so that collaborative research teams can find solutions in target problem areas,

iv)        Providing quality diagnostic services that are responsive to the needs of animal and poultry owners.

UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE   

Department of Pathology, offers six courses in DVM curriculum those are compulsory. DVM degree in Pakistan is five year degree programme.

POSTGRADUATE DEGREES

The Department is offering M.Phil and Ph.D. degrees in discipline of Pathology.

M.Phil in Pathology

Students are admitted to this course in winter semester each year. The admission in this degree programme is based on qualifying the GRE test conducted by NTS. This degree is of minimum four semesters duration. The students have to complete a course work consisting of major, minor, and deficiency courses. On completing the course work, the students are involved in research work and finally have to submit a thesis regarding their research objectives, methodology, achievements etc.

Ph.D. in Pathology

Students are admitted to this course in winter semester each year. The admission in this degree programme is based on qualifying the GRE test conducted by NTS. This degree is of minimum six semesters and maximum of ten semesters duration. The students have to complete a course work consisting of major, minor, and deficiency courses. On completing the course work, the students are required to pass the comprehensive examinations (written and oral). Afterwards, PhD scholars are involved in research work and finally have to submit a thesis. The thesis has to be defended at University level at a big gathering including the faculty and other interested personnel. Then thesis is sent abroad to be evaluated by the two leading scientists of the world from technologically advanced countries. PhD degree is conferred after has published at least one paper in HEC recognized journals.

The Department of Pathology is hectically involved in research since the day of its inception. There are two major research areas dealing with infectious diseases and Toxicopathology. There is however, flexibility in the research activity depending on the needs of the time. Currently the various research areas are as under:

1.       Toxicopthology

The main focus of this group is to carry out research on mycotoxins, the significant problem faced especially by poultry industry and thus carrying out some basic and advanced research to address this very vital issue. The research on other toxicities, like pesticides is also going on, as the cereals and green fodder supplied to poultry and animals are contaminated with pesticides owing to heavy sprays on the crop. From time to time, research on other toxicities like ethanol, heavy metals, chemicals and drugs is also carried out.

2.       Infectious Diseases of Poultry

The research on infectious diseases of poultry is also carried out, especially the viral diseases, with main focus on New Castle disease, IBD and Hydropericardium. Other bacterial diseases like, mycoplasma infections, E. Coli, Salmonella infection is also carried out. At present hectic work is being carried out on paramyxo viral infections of poultry and pigeons.

3.       Infectious Diseases of Food Animals

The research on infectious diseases of domestic animals is underway with special emphasis on neonatal calf diarrhoea. Other diseases like endometeritis and mastitis is also given full attention.

4.       Zoonotic Diseases

Special attention is recently drawn on this very aspect as well. Currently the work on bovine tuberculosis, paratuberculosis and brucellosis is going on. The research on diagnosis of these diseases and their epidemiological and pathological aspects is under way. The molecular epidemiology is the hallmark of these investigations which will eventually help to understand the magnitude of these problems and ways or means to control these important diseases. The effort on understanding these diseases in local human population is also underway.

FUNDED COMPLETED RESEARCH PROJECTS

1.                 Studies on the Aetiology and Pathology of neonatal calf mortality in buffaloes and cows (funded by PSF).

2.                 Epidemiological and aetiopathological investigations of neonatal lamb mortality (funded by PSF).

3.                 Investigations on epidemiology, aetiopathology and control measures of neonatal calf mortality in buffaloes and cows (funded by PARB).

4.                 Effects of formalin (37% formaldehyde) feeding on haematological and serum bio-chemical values in White Leghorn cockerels (Funded by UAF)

5.                 Epidemiology and Pathology of tuberculosis in food animals and association human infection (funded by PSF)

ON GOING RESEARCH PROJECTS

1.                  Molecular  epidemiology and  immunohistochemistry of enteropathogenic  Escherichia coli (EPEC) in  bovine  and  human  neonates (PSF).

2.                  Pathological effects of cypermethrin in food animals (HEC)

3.                  Histo-morphometry and molecular pathobiology of naturally occurring mastitis in buffaloes and cows (HEC)

4.                  Inter-Relationship of Mycotoxin Levels in Feed, Organs/Tissues and Health of Poultry (Funded by Agricultural linkage Project, PARC)

5.                  Pigeon Newcastle disease virus: Surveillance, pathogencity for chick and development of vaccine for control (funded by PSF)