Media Hub

Have you ever wondered about how veterinarians determine care for exotic animals?  Pathologists play a crucial role in diagnosing disease—a key part of veterinary care for exotic animals. 
 
To highlight the hard work of our pathology team and share more about what goes on behind the scenes in our exotic animal specialty service, we spoke with Dr. Sierra Imanse, DVM, MS, DACVP, Anatomic Pathologist, to discuss her path to pathology, Antech™’s exotic animal pathology service, and the technological advancements pushing the field forward. 

What initially made you interested in your specialized area of pathology? 
My lifelong fascination with wildlife led me naturally to pursue a career in veterinary medicine and, ultimately, pathology—so in that way, my specialization came first with my love of wildlife. Throughout veterinary school, I was set on becoming a zoo, wildlife, or aquatic animal clinician; however, during my clinical year, I found myself increasingly drawn to diagnostic problem-solving, which led me to pursue a residency in zoological anatomic pathology—and the rest is history! 
 
What do you wish veterinarians knew about your specialized pathology team? 
Pathologists can be an integral part of your veterinary team—not just diagnosticians behind the scenes. Our work is most valuable when we collaborate with veterinary teams and have full access to relevant clinical information such as clinical signs, imaging, blood work and other findings. We appreciate it when veterinarians follow up with questions, add case details, or outcome updates. This feedback loop significantly improves diagnostic precision and strengthens the bridge between pathology and clinical medicine, which enhances care for all. 

How does disease presentation vary across species? 
Although the basics of disease are similar across all animals, there are numerous differences in disease susceptibility and presentation across species. For instance, fatty liver that would be fatal in a guinea pig is normal for a shark, which relies on its liver for buoyancy. Toxoplasmosis, which North American mammals have adapted to, can be deadly for naïve species like wallabies and lemurs in Australia and New Zealand. Birds and reptiles conserve water by excreting uric acid, but this same adaptation makes them more prone to gout—to name a few examples. 
 
What do you see as the most advanced or promising techniques currently used in diagnostic pathology, and how do they apply to the pathology work you do for exotic and pocket pets?  
One of the most promising advancements we use is digital pathology, which enables a team approach for tough cases. This technology is especially valuable in exotic and wildlife pathology, where specialists are often geographically dispersed. Digital pathology helps us achieve faster, more accurate diagnoses for better animal health outcomes. 
 
What are the most prevalent diseases you encounter in different species or pet populations? 
Each species has its hallmark diseases. Examples I see most commonly include atherosclerosis in parrots, fungal dermatitis in bearded dragons, uterine adenocarcinomas in rabbits, trichofolliculomas in guinea pigs, chromatophoromas in reptiles, and chordomas in ferrets. The list goes on! 
 
What are the biggest challenges in diagnosing and treating conditions across different species? 
One of the biggest challenges is insufficient tissue sampling, especially in postmortem cases. If there’s uncertainty about the cause of death, I always recommend submitting as broad a sampling of tissues as possible. It’s unfortunate when we can’t reach a definitive diagnosis because the key lesion wasn’t included in the samples, so more is always better. We are happy to advise specific tissues for collection prior to submission – just ask! 
 
Where do you see the field of exotic animal pathology heading in the next decade? 
Exotic animal pathology as a field has changed significantly over the past decade, with more people viewing exotic pets as part of the family. As owners seek care for species like hamsters and geckos, veterinarians are expanding their knowledge of exotic animals, leading to more biopsies—and postmortem tissue collection—of these species being sent to pathology. This drive to improve understanding of exotic animal pathology also plays a crucial role in wildlife disease management and conservation, bridging the gap between clinical practice and global species health. 
 
What areas need more research or technological innovation to advance your field? 
One of the biggest barriers is the cost and accessibility of advanced diagnostics like immunohistochemistry (IHC) and molecular testing. More affordable, rapid, and species-specific diagnostic tools would significantly improve disease detection in exotic animals. Additionally, ongoing research to deepen our understanding of the pathogenesis of many exotic animal diseases is crucial. 

Whether you are an existing client or considering partnering with Antech, our diverse and skilled pathology team is ready to work on your cases. 

Interested in learning more about our exotic animal pathology service? 
Contact Customer Service at 800-872-1001 (US) or 800-341-3440 (CA) to request the services of our pathology team.