Veterinary science

Subspecialties: General (including welfare & behaviour), Food hygiene, Pathology, Toxicology

Forensic veterinarians are registered veterinary practitioners who have knowledge and experience of a field of veterinary science, the recovery of forensic samples and, where appropriate, the expression of an opinion and the preparation of evidence for court.

General clinical veterinary science includes all aspects of general practice veterinary work, together with animal welfare and behaviour. Practitioners in this sub-specialty may have specific areas of interest and experience determined either by discipline or species. However in general terms these clinicians will cover all areas of animal welfare (including animal transport), care, management, nuisance and danger caused by animals, negligence, wildlife crime and illegal importation or exportation of animals. Such clinicians may deal with the acute clinical situation or may be asked to consider material after an event and will on occasions be supported by veterinary forensic pathologists or toxicologists.

Veterinary food hygiene concerns the science and law relating to any food of animal origin. The encompasses all aspects of slaughter, processing and welfare of animals for human consumption or used for any statutory purpose.

Veterinary pathology, which includes clinical pathology, includes the post mortem examination of animals; laboratory examination of animal tissues and analysis of clinical samples collected from animals.

Veterinary toxicology is the investigation of accidental or intentional poisoning of animals by a variety of agents.


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