““You had better live your best and act You had better live your best and act your best and think your best today; for your best and think your best today; for

today is the sure preparation for today is the sure preparation for tomorrow and all the other tomorrows tomorrow and all the other tomorrows

that follow.”that follow.”

-Harriet Martineau-Harriet Martineau

LIVE IN LIVE IN THISTHIS MOMENTMOMENT

Necropsy-examination of Necropsy-examination of an animal after it has diedan animal after it has died

Necropsy: Fun at the BeachNecropsy: Fun at the Beach

TermsTerms

Pathology—study of diseasePathology—study of disease Gross pathology—pathologic changes seen Gross pathology—pathologic changes seen

with naked eyewith naked eye Histopathology—clinical changes seen with Histopathology—clinical changes seen with

a microscopea microscope Lesions—pathologic changesLesions—pathologic changes Pathogenesis—the sequence of events of Pathogenesis—the sequence of events of

the disease (dog was bitten → bacteria the disease (dog was bitten → bacteria entered wound → elevated temperature → entered wound → elevated temperature → pus formed → etc)pus formed → etc)

Reasons for NecropsyReasons for Necropsy

– Determine cause of death Determine cause of death – Determine accuracy of clinical Determine accuracy of clinical

diagnosisdiagnosis– Evaluate effects of therapy Evaluate effects of therapy – In herds, 1 or more animals may be In herds, 1 or more animals may be

sacrificed to determine the cause of sacrificed to determine the cause of disease or toxicity disease or toxicity

– Routine in pharmaceutical studiesRoutine in pharmaceutical studies

Preliminary Steps for Preliminary Steps for NecropsyNecropsy

Obtain owners permission; also determine Obtain owners permission; also determine if owner wants remains for burial, etcif owner wants remains for burial, etc

Correctly identify animal (species, breed, Correctly identify animal (species, breed, sex, age, ID tags or tattoos)sex, age, ID tags or tattoos)

Perform necropsy ASAP after death; if Perform necropsy ASAP after death; if delayed, refrigerate animal to delay delayed, refrigerate animal to delay autolysis; DON’T FREEZEautolysis; DON’T FREEZE

Necropsy ReportNecropsy Report Location Location Number of lesionsNumber of lesions Color of abnormalities (dark red, black, Color of abnormalities (dark red, black,

etc)etc) Size of lesions (cm or weight)Size of lesions (cm or weight) Shape of lesion (round, flat, oval)Shape of lesion (round, flat, oval) DistributionDistribution Consistency (hard, soft, firm) Consistency (hard, soft, firm) Odor (sweet, sour, ammonia)Odor (sweet, sour, ammonia) Final Report tense should be consistentFinal Report tense should be consistent Report should be as specific as possible Report should be as specific as possible

without giving a final diagnosis unless a without giving a final diagnosis unless a test for the Dx was performed (i.e. rabies)test for the Dx was performed (i.e. rabies)

Necropsy: FacilitiesNecropsy: Facilities

Necropsy facility: overhead Necropsy facility: overhead hoisthoist

Necropsy: Protective Necropsy: Protective ClothingClothing

Plastic apron, lab Plastic apron, lab coat, scrubscoat, scrubs

latex or plastic latex or plastic disposable glovesdisposable gloves

surgical mask if surgical mask if animal died from animal died from infectious infectious disease spread disease spread by aerosolizationby aerosolization

protective protective footwearfootwear

Necropsy: Tools

KnivesKnives ScissorsScissors Tissue forcepsTissue forceps Bone-cutting tools (pruning shears, Bone-cutting tools (pruning shears,

hacksaw)hacksaw)

Sample CollectionSample Collection Contact diagnostic lab for directions on Contact diagnostic lab for directions on

collection, preservation and shipping of collection, preservation and shipping of specific samplesspecific samples

Possible microbiology samples-sterile Possible microbiology samples-sterile containerscontainers– No preservativeNo preservative– Do not freezeDo not freeze– Primary disease sitePrimary disease site– Heart, blood, lung, liver, spleen stomach Heart, blood, lung, liver, spleen stomach

contents, aborted fetuses, placenta, exudatescontents, aborted fetuses, placenta, exudates– Tissue samples – 1x2x3 cm Tissue samples – 1x2x3 cm – Fluid samples – 3-5 mlsFluid samples – 3-5 mls

Virus samples – call labVirus samples – call lab

FixativesFixatives

Stops autolysisStops autolysis Saves tissues for histopathologySaves tissues for histopathology 10% buffered formalin (carcinogen)10% buffered formalin (carcinogen) Sample thickness - 1 cm or lessSample thickness - 1 cm or less Ratio of fixative to sample = 10 to 1Ratio of fixative to sample = 10 to 1 Contact irritant and carcinogenContact irritant and carcinogen

– Use gloves: keep containers closed, Use gloves: keep containers closed, handle in ventilated hoodshandle in ventilated hoods

Toxicology SamplesToxicology Samples

blood (10-20 ml)blood (10-20 ml) stomach contents stomach contents

and urine (50-100 and urine (50-100 ml)ml)

blocks of liver, fat, blocks of liver, fat, kidney, and brain kidney, and brain (5x5x10 cm; approx (5x5x10 cm; approx 200 g)200 g)

Samples

Examine ExteriorExamine Exterior

Horse necropsy: remove Horse necropsy: remove forelegforeleg

Horse necropsy: remove rib Horse necropsy: remove rib cagecage

Horse necropsy: internal Horse necropsy: internal organsorgans

Horse necropsy: remove Horse necropsy: remove intestineintestine

Horse necropsy: lungs and Horse necropsy: lungs and heartheart

Horse necropsy: heartHorse necropsy: heart

Horse necropsy: headHorse necropsy: head

Necropsy VideosNecropsy Videos

http://video.vet.cornell.edu/virtualvet/bovine/chapters1-4.html

EsophagusEsophagus

Normal

FoodUlcerationsBleeding

LarynxLarynx

normal

necrosisulceration

TracheaTrachea

normal

necrosisulceration

Pericardial sacPericardial sacClick on picture to view video

LungsLungs

Normal lung tissue-pink-spongy

Normal Bronchopheumonia

Lung abscess-liquid/“cottage cheese” likeappearance

Airways and vesselsAirways and vessels

Lung artery

Lung airway

Normal lung tissueNormal lung tissue

Lung lesionsLung lesions

Emphysema-pops like bubble-wrap

Consolidation-heavy; solid (no air)

Lung worms

Lung adhesionsto ribs

Pneumonia- darker lesionsare more severe

Abscesses

Heart: R ventricleHeart: R ventricle

Heart: R side openedHeart: R side opened

Heart: L sideHeart: L side

Heart LesionsHeart Lesions

Necrotic lesions

Valve lesions

Septal defects—connectionbetween R and L sides

Liver lesionsLiver lesions

Liver abscesses Liver flukes

Fractured liver—due to blunt trauma; (knife cuts smooth)Fatty liver

Clean upClean up