1. “You had better live your best and act your best and think your best today; for today is the sure preparation for tomorrow and all the other tomorrows that follow.” -Harriet Martineau LIVE IN THIS MOMENT

2. Necropsy-examination of an animal after it has died

3. Necropsy: Fun at the Beach

4. Terms Pathology—study of disease  Gross pathology—pathologic changes seen with naked eye  Histopathology—clinical changes seen with a microscope  Lesions—pathologic changes  Pathogenesis—the sequence of events of the disease (dog was bitten → bacteria entered wound → elevated temperature → pus formed → etc)

5. Reasons for Necropsy –Determine cause of death –Determine accuracy of clinical diagnosis –Evaluate effects of therapy –In herds, 1 or more animals may be sacrificed to determine the cause of disease or toxicity –Routine in pharmaceutical studies

6. Preliminary Steps for Necropsy  Obtain owners permission; also determine if owner wants remains for burial, etc  Correctly identify animal (species, breed, sex, age, ID tags or tattoos)  Perform necropsy ASAP after death; if delayed, refrigerate animal to delay autolysis; DON’T FREEZE

7. Necropsy Report  Location  Number of lesions  Color of abnormalities (dark red, black, etc)  Size of lesions (cm or weight)  Shape of lesion (round, flat, oval)  Distribution  Consistency (hard, soft, firm)  Odor (sweet, sour, ammonia)  Final Report tense should be consistent  Report should be as specific as possible without giving a final diagnosis unless a test for the Dx was performed (i.e. rabies)

8. Necropsy: Facilities

9. Necropsy facility: overhead hoist

10. Necropsy: Protective Clothing Plastic apron, lab coat, scrubs Plastic apron, lab coat, scrubs latex or plastic disposable gloves latex or plastic disposable gloves surgical mask if animal died from infectious disease spread by aerosolization surgical mask if animal died from infectious disease spread by aerosolization protective footwear protective footwear

11. Necropsy: Tools Necropsy: Tools Knives Knives Scissors Scissors Tissue forceps Tissue forceps Bone-cutting tools (pruning shears, hacksaw) Bone-cutting tools (pruning shears, hacksaw)

12. Sample Collection Contact diagnostic lab for directions on collection, preservation and shipping of specific samples Contact diagnostic lab for directions on collection, preservation and shipping of specific samples Possible microbiology samples-sterile containers Possible microbiology samples-sterile containers –No preservative –Do not freeze –Primary disease site –Heart, blood, lung, liver, spleen stomach contents, aborted fetuses, placenta, exudates –Tissue samples – 1x2x3 cm –Fluid samples – 3-5 mls Virus samples – call lab Virus samples – call lab

13. Fixatives Stops autolysis Stops autolysis Saves tissues for histopathology Saves tissues for histopathology 10% buffered formalin (carcinogen) 10% buffered formalin (carcinogen) Sample thickness - 1 cm or less Sample thickness - 1 cm or less Ratio of fixative to sample = 10 to 1 Ratio of fixative to sample = 10 to 1 Contact irritant and carcinogen Contact irritant and carcinogen –Use gloves: keep containers closed, handle in ventilated hoods

14. Toxicology Samples blood (10-20 ml) blood (10-20 ml) stomach contents and urine (50-100 ml) stomach contents and urine (50-100 ml) blocks of liver, fat, kidney, and brain (5x5x10 cm; approx 200 g) blocks of liver, fat, kidney, and brain (5x5x10 cm; approx 200 g) Samples Samples Samples

15. Examine Exterior

16. Horse necropsy: remove foreleg

17. Horse necropsy: remove rib cage

18. Horse necropsy: internal organs

19. Horse necropsy: remove intestine

20. Horse necropsy: lungs and heart

21. Horse necropsy: heart

22. Horse necropsy: head

23. Necropsy Videos http://video.vet.cornell.edu/virtualvet/bovin e/chapters1-4.html http://video.vet.cornell.edu/virtualvet/bovin e/chapters1-4.html

24. Esophagus Normal Food Ulcerations Bleeding

25. Larynx normal necrosis ulceration

26. Trachea normal necrosis ulceration

27. Pericardial sac Click on picture to view video

28. Lungs Normal lung tissue -pink -spongy NormalBronchopheumonia Lung abscess -liquid/“cottage cheese” like appearance

29. Airways and vessels Lung artery Lung airway

30. Normal lung tissue

31. Lung lesions Emphysema -pops like bubble-wrap Consolidation -heavy; solid (no air) Lung worms Lung adhesions to ribs Pneumonia- darker lesions are more severe Abscesses

32. Heart: R ventricle

33. Heart: R side opened

34. Heart: L side

35. Heart Lesions Necrotic lesions Valve lesions Septal defects—connection between R and L sides

36. Liver lesions Liver abscessesLiver flukes Fractured liver—due to blunt trauma; (knife cuts smooth) Fatty liver

37. Clean up