Veterinary Clinical Pathology ISSN 0275-6382

SPECIAL REPORT

Guidelines for resident training in veterinary clinical pathology. III:

cytopathology and surgical pathology
Beverly A. Kidney1, Sharon M. Dial2, Mary M. Christopher3
1
Department of Veterinary Pathology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada; 2Arizona Veterinary
Diagnostic Laboratory, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA; and 3Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, School of Veterinary
Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA

Key Words
Clinical pathology, competency, cytopathology,
learning objectives, resident training, surgical
pathology
Correspondence
Beverly A. Kidney, Department of Veterinary
Pathology, Western College of Veterinary
Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, 52
Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B4,
Canada
E-mail: beverly.kidney@usask.ca
DOI:10.1111/j.1939-165X.2009.00172.x
Abstract: The Education Committee of the American Society for Veteri-
nary Clinical Pathology has identified a need for improved structure and
guidance of training residents in clinical pathology. This article is the third
in a series of articles that address this need. The goals of this article are to
describe learning objectives and competencies in knowledge, abilities, and
skills in cytopathology and surgical pathology (CSP); provide options and
ideas for training activities; and identify resources in veterinary CSP for
faculty, training program coordinators, and residents. Guidelines were de-
veloped in consultation with Education Committee members and peer ex-
perts and with evaluation of the literature. The primary objectives of
training in CSP are: (1) to develop a thorough, extensive, and relevant
knowledge base of biomedical and clinical sciences applicable to the prac-
tice of CSP in domestic animals, laboratory animals, and other nondomestic
animal species; (2) to be able to reason, think critically, investigate, use sci-
entific evidence, and communicate effectively when making diagnoses and
consulting and to improve and advance the practice of pathology; and (3)
to acquire selected technical skills used in CSP and pathology laboratory
management. These guidelines define expected competencies that will
help ensure proficiency, leadership, and the advancement of knowledge
in veterinary CSP and will provide a useful framework for didactic and
clinical activities in resident-training programs.

Introduction cytopathology and surgical pathology (CSP), including

Residency and graduate programs in veterinary clinical
pathology provide advanced training in the know-
ledge, abilities, and skills of clinical laboratory sciences,
including cytopathology, surgical pathology, hematol-
ogy, clinical chemistry, quality assurance, and labora-
tory management. Residents and graduate students
must spend at least 3 years under the supervision of a
board-certified clinical pathologist to acquire eligibility
to take the American College of Veterinary Pathologists
certification examination in clinical pathology, one-
fourth of which involves the principles and practice of
This report was written on behalf of the Education Committee of
the American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology (ASVCP)
and was approved as a consensus guideline by the ASVCP Exec-
utive Board.
the microscopic evaluation of cytologic specimens and
surgical biopsies.
Guidelines for resident training in veterinary clin-
ical chemistry and hematology have been published
previously.1,2 The reader is referred to those guidelines
for general information on defining and organizing
learning objectives. The purpose of the present article
is: (1) to define learning objectives and expected com-
petencies in knowledge, abilities, and skills in CSP; (2)
to suggest options and ideas for educational experi-
ences in CSP within clinical pathology training pro-
grams; and (3) to identify useful resources for helping
residents achieve the learning objectives in CSP.
In writing these objectives we drew on our own
experience and the experience of members of the
American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology
Education Committee and peer experts, consulted

Vet Clin Pathol 38/3 (2009) 281–287

c 2009 American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology 281
Resident training in CSP
published standards of cytopathology practice,3,4 and
considered general and pathology-specific competen-
cies expected of medical residents in anatomic pathol-
ogy (which includes cytopathology) and laboratory
medicine.5–12
As in previous guidelines, the learning objectives
in this article are organized under knowledge, abilities,
and skills. The section on knowledge focuses on cur-
ricular content, leaving it to the trainers in individual
programs to determine how knowledge and under-
standing should be demonstrated within the context of
their program. Similarly, the expected level of mastery
for abilities and skills also should be determined by the
training institution. One method for doing so is to
apply terms such as ‘‘familiarity’’ (basic knowledge
level, can perform a task with supervision), ‘‘working
knowledge’’ (intermediate knowledge level, can dem-
onstrate or perform a task independently), and ‘‘profi-
ciency’’ (advanced knowledge level, can perform and
troubleshoot a task with skill). Finally, like the Accred-
itation Council for Graduate Medical Education
(ACGME), which has defined competencies for pathol-
ogy training,5,6,13 we have chosen not to assign skill
levels to each objective as programs differ in length and
structure. However, resident training in veterinary
clinical pathology should emphasize progressively in-
creasing responsibilities that build on knowledge and
experience in each area over time.
We hope these guidelines provide a useful frame-
work for didactic and applied activities in postgraduate
training programs and for acquisition of the appropri-
ate knowledge, abilities, and skills necessary for com-
petence, proficiency, and leadership in CSP practice.
The objectives also may be useful in guiding assess-
ment of resident progress in CSP. This document is
meant only as a guideline and not as a template for
board examination study or program structure. Insti-
tutional and individual goals and priorities vary widely
and may affect the level of proficiency required or de-
sired in specific areas. Because of the need to train
clinical pathologists for diverse career pathways, we
have aimed for comprehensiveness.
Knowledge Base in CSP
Residents must develop a thorough, extensive, and
relevant knowledge base of biomedical and clinical sci-
ences as applicable to the practice of CSP in domestic
animals, laboratory animals, and other nondomestic
animal species. A resident should demonstrate know-
ledge in the following areas (the means by which
knowledge and understanding should be demon-
282 Vet Clin Pathol 38/3 (2009) 281–287
Kidney et al
strated, such as by describing, explaining, or illustrat-
ing should be defined within each program):
General (applicable to both cytopathology and
surgical pathology)
1. The organization, equipment, and techniques used
in a pathology laboratory, including sample sub-
mission, processing, preparation, and staining
methods; quality control procedures; principles of
cost-effectiveness; the storage, disposal, and archiv-
ing of specimens; and the role and training of tech-
nologists.
2. Potential pathogens that can be transmitted to lab-
oratory personnel, clinicians, or the public from
body fluids, cells, or tissue specimens; basic safety
precautions; and institutional and regulatory guide-
lines on the use and handling of samples from an-
imals and on the appropriate reporting of disease.
3. Commonly used routine and special cytochemical
and histochemical stains, including rapid stains; for
each of these stains, the biochemical principles of
staining, indications for use, and expected staining
patterns in normal and abnormal cells and tissues of
different species.
4. Sources of preanalytical, analytical, and postanalyt-
ical error in the collection, submission, preparation,
storage, examination, and reporting of CSP speci-
mens.
5. Principles and applications of immunochemical
analysis, including methods of sample collection,
fixation, and preparation; antibodies and prolifera-
tion markers; methods of immunostaining, with
appropriate controls and validation; specificity, sen-
sitivity, and limitations; and interpretation of re-
sults.
6. Indications for expedited processing and evaluation
of CSP specimens.
7. Sample handling requirements and quality control
steps for special analyses (eg, flow cytometry, micro-
biologic cultures, analysis of crystals, electron mi-
croscopy).
8. Indications for and basic principles of analysis and
quality control for ancillary diagnostic procedures,
including immunofluorescence microscopy, PCR
assays, flow cytometry, image analysis, and electron
microscopy.
9. Fundamentals of basic pathologic processes, includ-
ing inflammatory, degenerative, congenital, and
immune-mediated disorders and disorders of
growth (hyperplasia, neoplasia, metaplasia, and
dysplasia) in different species and tissues.
c 2009 American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology
Kidney et al
10. Common grading and staging systems as applied to
neoplasms in animals.
11. Salient aspects of life cycle, geographic distribution,
pathophysiology, and implications of infectious
agents and organisms, including parasites, proto-
zoa, fungi (hyphae and yeasts), bacteria, rickettsia,
mycobacteria, and algae, found in CSP samples.
12. Fundamentals of molecular biology as they relate
to the diagnosis of disease, including infectious,
immune-mediated, degenerative, hereditary, and
neoplastic diseases.
13. Similarities and differences between cytopathologic
and histopathologic evaluation, specifically, the
strengths, limitations, and correlation of cytopatho-
logic and histopathologic specimens and findings,
including differences in sample characteristics and
representation, tissue architecture, staining, cell
preservation and morphology, and relative contri-
butions to decision support.
14. General criteria, terminology, and basic elements
of a cytopathologic or surgical biopsy report, in-
cluding clinical and patient information, necessary
dates and times, documentation of the specimens
submitted, a thorough and accurate gross and/or
microscopic description (or determination of
when one is needed), an interpretation, and com-
ments related to prognosis, sample limitations, or
other relevant information; turnaround times and
timeliness of reporting; indications and use of syn-
optic reports.
15. Principles of microscopy, photomicroscopy, and
other digital applications, such as morphometry
and telepathology. Basic principles of informatics
in pathology, including methods and standards for
reporting (eg, diagnostic coding and nomencla-
ture), storing, retrieving, and analyzing CSP infor-
mation and images.
Cytopathology
1. Methods of collection of body fluids from animals,
including effusions, lavage fluids, and urine, with
comparison of the advantages and limitations of
different methods for obtaining high-quality sam-
ples from different tissues and lesions.
2. Proper handling, analysis, cytologic examination,
and classification of body fluid samples and ex-
pected normal and abnormal findings for specific
fluid types, including effusions, lavage fluids,
synovial fluid, urine, gastric/rumen fluid, ocular
fluid, and cerebrospinal fluid.
3. Principles and methods of cell and solute measure-
ments in body fluid samples, including indica-
Vet Clin Pathol 38/3 (2009) 281–287
c 2009 American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology
Resident training in CSP
tions, controls, collection tubes, analyzers and
instruments, limits of detection, and interferences.
4. Appropriate methods, instruments, and materials
for collecting and preparing cytologic samples, in-
cluding fine-needle aspirates (FNA) and samples
collected using nonaspiration techniques, brushes,
imprints, scrapings, slide-over-slide preparations
(squash preparations), direct smears, line smears,
wedge smears, sediment smears, wet mounts, and
cytocentrifuged preparations, with comparison of
the advantages and limitations of different meth-
ods for obtaining high-quality samples.
5. How to evaluate cytologic specimens, including
elements that comprise an adequate specimen,
common artifacts, and indications for ancillary
techniques.
6. The cytopathologic features of normal, reactive/
hyperplastic, infectious, dysplastic, and neoplastic
conditions, including criteria of malignancy, in
commonly sampled sites, including oral cavity, na-
sal cavity, airways, lung, bone, urinary bladder,
prostate, mammary gland, lymph nodes, spleen,
liver, pancreas, gastric mucosa, intestine, rectum
and cloaca (including feces), kidney, adrenal
gland, thyroid gland, salivary gland, skin and ad-
nexal glands, external ear canal, endometrium,
vagina, testicles, conjunctiva, and cornea, as well
as subcutaneous, soft tissue, intraabdominal, and
intrathoracic masses and masses in any other site.
7. The cytopathologic features of common types of le-
sions in infrequently sampled sites, such as brain.
8. Familiarity with cytologic features and criteria for
evaluating vaginal smears and sperm samples in
the determination of stages of estrus and semen
quality.
9. The cytopathologic definition, description, and
significance of background findings in a specimen.
10. The cytopathologic features of various organisms
and their different stages and the special stains
used in their identification.
11. Interpretation of positive and negative immunocyto-
chemical results and artifacts in cytologic specimens.
Surgical pathology and electron microscopy
1. Routine methods used for collection, fixation,
trimming, embedding, and sectioning of tissue bi-
opsy specimens.
2. Strengths and limitations of different types of bi-
opsy samples (eg, needle vs wedge) and criteria for
assessment of specimen adequacy.
3. How to evaluate histopathologic specimens, includ-
ing elements that comprise an adequate specimen,
283
Resident training in CSP
orientation of the tissue, common artifacts, and
the need for ancillary techniques.
4. The histopathologic features of normal, reactive/
hyperplastic, infectious, dysplastic, and neoplastic
conditions, including criteria of malignancy, in
commonly biopsied sites, especially those fre-
quently evaluated using cytologic methods.
5. The histopathologic features of various organisms
and the special stains used in their identification.
6. The interpretation of positive and negative immuno-
histochemical results for patient and control samples
and the recognition of artifacts.
7. Standardized methods for evaluation and reporting
of biopsy samples set forth by specialty organiza-
tions (eg, World Small Animal Veterinary Associa-
tion Gastrointestinal Standardization Group for
evaluation of endoscopic biopsies in dogs and cats).
8. Optionally, the indications and limitations per-
taining to frozen sections.
9. Procedures used for preparing and submitting tis-
sue and fluid specimens for electron microscopy.
10. Common ultrastructural features of cells, tissues,
and organisms (eg, viruses) in diseases that rou-
tinely require electron microscopy for diagnosis.
Ability to Interpret, Investigate, and
Communicate
Residents must develop abilities in deductive reason-
ing, critical thinking, and investigation in making di-
agnoses and consulting in CSP, must evaluate and
assimilate scientific evidence to improve their practice
of pathology, and must effectively communicate with
clinicians, colleagues, and laboratory staff. A resident
should apply, analyze, synthesize, and evaluate
knowledge in CSP as follows:
1. Verify that a cytologic or histologic requisition is
completed correctly; troubleshoot missing speci-
mens (investigate chain of custody issues) and re-
solve questions of specimen identity.
2. Manage workflow and supervise staff in the pa-
thology laboratory.
3. Evaluate the cost-effectiveness of CSP procedures
in the pathology laboratory.
4. Advise clinicians and respond to their questions
concerning methods of collection, cytopreparatory
processing, and turnaround time for results from
the pathology laboratory.
5. Explain the reasons and make recommendations
for using cytopathology and/or histopathology to
evaluate a particular lesion.
284 Vet Clin Pathol 38/3 (2009) 281–287
Kidney et al
6. Determine the adequacy of a CSP preparation and
stain and identify preanalytical and analytical
sources of unsatisfactory or inadequate prepara-
tions, including the effects of prolonged sample
storage and autolysis and recognition of exposure
of specimens to formalin; troubleshoot stain qual-
ity issues.
7. Write a clear, concise, and complete microscopic
description for CSP specimens in a timely manner
using appropriate organization, format, and termi-
nology; formulate a reasonable and accurate diag-
nosis (morphologic, clinical, and/or etiologic), and
differential diagnosis.
8. Evaluate the margins of a tumor section.
9. Describe, semiquantify, and interpret the signifi-
cance of cells, formed elements, organisms, and
artifacts in urine sediment preparations.
10. Determine the need for and obtain pertinent clin-
ical and diagnostic information from a patient or
client record, integrate the information with cyto-
logic and histopathologic findings in formulating a
final CSP diagnosis, and recommend clinical fol-
low-up.
11. Identify the need for and choose appropriate special
stains and other ancillary techniques that may be
indicated in the evaluation of a CSP specimen,
identify controls needed, and interpret the results.
12. Select an appropriate antibody panel for the differ-
ential diagnosis of neoplastic diseases and interpret
positive and negative findings.
13. Select appropriate additional tests, such as biochemi-
cal analyses, for the evaluation of body fluids and
urine.
14. Add necessary amendments and/or addenda to
CSP reports.
15. Verify the cytologic interpretation/diagnosis via re-
sults from biopsy, serologic testing, bacterial or fun-
gal cultures, PCR, or necropsy or by other means.
16. Determine how and when to obtain internal and
external consultations and document the results
appropriately; be able to resolve (or determine the
reasons for) diagnostic disagreement.
17. Correlate cytologic and histopathologic findings
from the same lesion, both in aggregate for qual-
ity assurance purposes and on a case-by-case basis
for diagnostic purposes.
18. Communicate with clinicians regarding specimen
quality, to clarify a diagnosis, and to indicate the
probability of a diagnosis and differential diag-
noses.
19. Provide decision support to clinicians, verbally and
in writing, regarding the potential implications of
a diagnosis, recommended strategies for additional
c 2009 American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology
Kidney et al
procedures or testing, and recommendations on
monitoring and prognosis.
20. Interpret quality control data (eg, cell counts on an
automated instrument, calibration of refractome-
ters) and make appropriate decisions regarding
test procedures, accuracy, and personnel training.
21. Interpret the results of method comparisons (eg,
manual versus automated nucleated cell counts in
fluids) and make appropriate decisions regarding
standard operating procedures and reference values.
22. Give an effective oral presentation by presenting
cases at conferences and rounds with clarity, com-
pleteness, succinctness, and high-quality images
and reach reasonable interpretive conclusions.
23. Manage a CSP image collection using photo-edit-
ing and image management software.
24. Critically evaluate the literature pertaining to CSP,
including study design and methods, appropriate
extrapolation of data to different patient popula-
tions, and resolution of conflicting results and in-
terpretations.
25. Design a study that correlates cytopathologic and
histopathologic findings, including appropriate
definition of the criterion standard, differentiation
between prospective and retrospective sample col-
lection, and use of appropriate methods for report-
ing results.
Laboratory Operational and Technical Skills
Residents must acquire selected technical skills and
procedures used in CSP and in pathology laboratory
management. A resident should demonstrate the abil-
ity to perform the following skills:
1. Report body fluid data using appropriate units of
measure and significant digits.
2. Perform an FNA biopsy from a superficial tissue
using proper technique; determine specimen ade-
quacy.
3. Assist in the performance of deep FNA biopsy in set-
tings such as diagnostic imaging or endoscopy proce-
dures, with appropriate determination of specimen
adequacy.
4. Prepare and stain a cytologic specimen.
5. Prepare a cytocentrifuged preparation.
6. Count cells using appropriate methods and use re-
fractometry to analyze body fluids.
7. Semiquantify formed elements in urine sediment.
8. Independently report the results of both routine
and complex CSP cases in a timely manner.
9. Preserve and submit fluid, cell, and tissue samples
for immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, and
Vet Clin Pathol 38/3 (2009) 281–287
c 2009 American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology
Resident training in CSP
electron microscopy; optionally, perform the ac-
tual procedures.
10. Preserve and submit cytologic and histologic spec-
imens for immunochemical staining; optionally,
perform the actual procedures.
11. Observe and, optionally, independently perform
tests in clinical molecular pathology, including
PCR analysis and tests for lymphocyte clonality.
12. Obtain high-quality photomicrographs with inter-
nal markers.
13. Develop and implement a Standard Operating
Procedure for a CSP method; participate in quality
assurance procedures in the CSP laboratory.
CSP Training Activities and Integration into
Training Programs
Learning objectives in CSP may be accomplished by
many different training activities as well as by inde-
pendent study. Routine examination, description, and
interpretation of CSP specimens with clinical follow-
up and consultation with referring clinicians and
specialists are essential. Evaluation of gross necropsy
findings and collection and interpretation of cytologic
and histologic samples obtained at necropsy also may
be useful. Participation in journal clubs, presentation
of cases at rounds and conferences, teaching, writing
case reports, and involvement in research projects in-
volving CSP are valuable learning activities. Residents
also could be encouraged to keep logbooks or portfolios
of complex or interesting cases they have handled.
Faculty and other board-certified clinical and ana-
tomic pathologists involved with resident training in
CSP play an integral role in reviewing and critiquing
CSP descriptions and reports written by residents, eval-
uating the effectiveness and quality of oral and written
case presentations, and perhaps teaching graduate-
level courses in CSP. Many institutions maintain case
files, slide banks, or digital archives of CSP materials
that can be used by residents for educational purposes.
The ACGME guidelines for pathology5 and associated
current literature on competency-based pathology res-
idencies6–11,13 and evaluation11,12 are valuable re-
sources for developing a programmatic approach to
CSP training.
Finally, CSP, perhaps more than other areas of
training in clinical pathology, creates unique opportu-
nities for cross-training between anatomic and clinical
pathology services. Creative integration of CSP activi-
ties and education can facilitate optimal diagnostic ap-
proaches and improve information transfer and
learning.
285
Resident training in CSP
Recommended Resources in Veterinary CSP
Textbooks
 Baker R, Lumsden JH. Color Atlas of Cytology of the Dog
and Cat. St Louis, MO: Mosby; 2000.
 Bibbo M. Comprehensive Cytopathology. 2nd ed. Phila-
delphia, PA: Elsevier; 1997.
 Campbell TW, Ellis CK. Avian and Exotic Animal He-
matology and Cytology. 3rd ed. Ames, IA: Blackwell
Publishing; 2007.
 Cowell RL. Cytology, Part I. Vet Clin North Am Small
Anim Pract. 2002; 32(6).
 Cowell RL. Cytology, Part II. Vet Clin North Am Small
Anim Pract. 2003;33(1).
 Cowell RL, Meinkoth JH, Tyler RD, DeNicola DB. Di-
agnostic Cytology and Hematology of the Dog and Cat. 3rd
ed. St Louis, MO: Mosby; 2008.
 Cowell RL, Tyler RD. Diagnostic Cytology and Hematol-
ogy of the Horse. 2nd ed. St Louis, MO: Mosby; 2002.
 Dabbs DJ. Diagnostic Immunohistochemistry. 2nd ed.
Philadelphia, PA: Churchill Livingstone; 2006.
 DeMay RM. The Art & Science of Cytopathology. Chi-
cago, IL: ASCP Press; 1996.
 DeMay RM. Practical Principles of Cytopathology. Chi-
cago, IL: ASCP Press; 1999.
 Goldschmidt MH, Shofer FS. Skin Tumors of the Dog
and Cat. New York, NY: Pergamon Press; 1992.
 Greene CE. Infectious Diseases of the Dog and Cat. 3rd
ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2006.
 Gross TL, Ihrke P, Waldner E, Affolter V. Skin Diseases
of the Dog and Cat: Clinical and Histopathologic Diagno-
sis. 2nd ed. Ames, IA: Blackwell Science; 2005.
 Jacobson E. Infectious Diseases and Pathology of Reptiles:
Color Atlas and Text. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press; 2007.
 Kjelsberg C, Knight J. Body Fluids. 3rd ed. Chicago, IL:
American Society of Clinical Pathology Press; 1993.
 Kluge H, Wieczorek V, Linke E, et al. Atlas of CSF Cy-
tology. New York, NY: Thieme Medical Publishers;
2007.
 Kolmel HW. Atlas of Cerebrospinal Fluid Cells. Berlin:
Springer Verlag; 1977.
 Koss LG, Melamed MR. Koss’ Diagnostic Cytology and
Its Histopathologic Bases. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Lip-
pincott Williams & Wilkins; 2005.
 McGavin MD, Zachary JF. Pathologic Basis of Veteri-
nary Disease. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Mosby Else-
vier; 2007.
 Meuten DJ. Tumors in Domestic Animals. 4th ed.
Ames, IA: Iowa State Press; 2002.
 Osborne CA, Stevens JB. Urinalysis: a Clinical Guide to
Compassionate Patient Care. Leverkusen, Germany:
Bayer Corp.; 1999.
286 Vet Clin Pathol 38/3 (2009) 281–287
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 Raskin RE, Meyer DJ. Atlas of Canine and Feline Cytol-
ogy. Philadelphia, PA: W.B. Saunders Company;
2001.
 World Health Organization. International Histological
Classification of Tumors of Domestic Animals, Second Se-
ries, Volumes I–XII. Washington, DC: Armed Forces
Institute of Pathology American Registry of Pathol-
ogy; 1994–2008.
Journals
 Veterinary Clinical Pathology
 Veterinary Pathology
 Diagnostic Cytopathology
 Acta Cytologica
 Cytopathology
 CytoJournal (http://www.cytojournal.com)
 Selected articles in the Journal of the American Veteri-
nary Medical Association, American Journal of Veterinary
Research, Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation,
Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Veterinary Im-
munology and Immunopathology, and other specialty
comparative and veterinary journals.
Other resources
 ASVCP Case Review Session Slide Sets. A yearly
compilation of glass slides, 35 mm transparency
slides, and digital images presented at the ASVCP
Annual Meeting and archived at most veterinary
pathology institutions in the United States and Can-
ada.
 Noah’s Arkive. A searchable archive of digital images
published by the University of Georgia College of
Veterinary Medicine Department of Veterinary Pa-
thology, Athens, GA.
 Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP), Veteri-
nary Systemic Pathology Online, http://www.vspo.
us/vspo/index.php. Virtual histopathology slides, a
resource for surgical pathology.
Acknowledgments
The authors gratefully acknowledge the peer experts who
reviewed and provided valuable input to this document:
Armando Irizarry-Rovira (Eli Lilly Co.), Maxey Wellman
(The Ohio State University), Dave Fisher (IDEXX Laborato-
ries), Leslie Sharkey (University of Minnesota), Dorothee
Bienzle (University of Guelph), Carlo Masserdotti (Labora-
torio Veterinario S. Marco), Mario Caniatti (University of
Milan), Elspeth Milne (University of Edinburgh), and
Karen Young (University of Wisconsin-Madison). We also
thank past and present members of the ASVCP Education
Committee and Executive Board for their support and con-
tributions.
c 2009 American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology
Kidney et al
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