Why Dr. Fred Metzger says the lab should drive practice

A recent episode of Blunt Dissection spotlights a familiar but often underused idea in companion animal practice: the laboratory should be treated as a clinical engine, not just a testing service. In episode 86, Dr. Fred Metzger argues that stronger diagnostic thinking, especially around everyday lab data, can improve medical decisions, client communication, and practice performance. The discussion also points to a new development beyond the podcast itself: Metzger has partnered with Purdue University through Laboratory Retrievers, LLC, on an online continuing education program in veterinary clinical pathology designed to help veterinary professionals interpret CBC data, analyze cytograms, and recognize blood cell abnormalities more confidently. (podcasts.apple.com)

Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, the message lands at a time when practices are balancing medical quality, team strain, and financial pressure. Purdue says the new program is built around self-paced modules, case studies, and optional live sessions, with a focus on making clinical pathology more practical and usable in daily care. That aligns with Metzger’s long-running view that in-house and reference lab work should support better medicine, faster decisions, and clearer conversations with pet parents, not simply generate more testing volume. (purdue.edu)

What to watch: Watch for whether this “lab-first” message gains traction through CE adoption and broader discussion about how general practices use diagnostics, mentoring, and clinical decision-making. (purdue.edu)