A professional who studies nature, cause, and development of animal diseases, and structural and functional changes resulting from them. Responsibilities include:

• Conducts tests, performs biopsies, and analyzes body tissue, fluids and other specimens to diagnose presence and stage of disease in animals, and probable source of contamination or infection.
• Conducts further research to expand scope of findings, or recommends treatment to consulting veterinary personnel.
• May direct activities of veterinary pathology department in educational institution or industrial establishment.