Postmortem examination of small animals
NECROPSY DIAGNOSIS OF CANINE AND FELINE DISEASES
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Necropsy procedure for canines
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Note the general condition of the hair
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Examine for external wounds
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Examine the superficial lymphnodes for enlargement
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Examine the prepuce and penis in male
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Examine the umbilicus in neonates
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Place the animal with its dorsum upon table
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The head is extended and the neck is straightened
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Make an incision from the point of symphysis of mandibles to the ischial arch
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The mammary glands are examined at this time
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Separate the skin from the underlying tissues
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The legs are pulled to the sides
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Cut the coxofemoral joints and separate the hind limbs
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Make an incision from the xiphoid cartilage to the pubis
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Make transverse incisions from the midline to the dorsal extent of the body cavity
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The abdominal cavity is exposed by removing the flaps
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Examine the diaphragm
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To expose the thoracic cavity, cut the sternal cartilage or ribs
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Examine all organs in situ without severing the attachments
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Incise the pericardial sac and examine its contents
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Record the quantity, colour and contents of any fluids in the body cavities
Examination of cardiovascular system
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Examine the pericardial surface of heart
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Incise the pericardium and examine for thickening and abnormal contents of pericardial sac
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Examine the epicardial surface of heart
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Cut open the heart on right side first and then left side
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Examine the contents of heart chambers
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Examine the myocardium, endocardium and valves
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Examine the adventitia of greater vessels
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Open the great vessels and examine the intimal surface
Examination of respiratory system
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Examine the nostrils and nasal cavity for ulcers and abnormal discharges
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Examine the nasal cavity for lesions
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Examine the thyroid and parathyroids for lesions
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Examine the thymus if present
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Open the larynx and trachea and examine the lumen and the mucosa
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Examine the mediastinal lymph nodes and make incisions and examine the cut surface
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Examine the lung by palpation for any areas of firmness, nodules or lumps
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Make multiple incisions in lungs on both sides including all the lobes and examine the cut surface
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Open the bronchi and other airway
Examination of digestive system and related organs
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Examine oral cavity for ulcers and abnormal discharges
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Examine the teeth, tonsils, pharynx and salivary glands
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Remove the tongue from its base by cutting between the lower jawbones
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Open the oesophagus and examine
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Remove and examine the spleen by slicing at multiple sites
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Remove the liver and open the gall bladder
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Examine the liver by cutting it across in multiple sites
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Examine and collect lymph nodes along the mesenteric attachment
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Find where the oesophagus enters the stomach and cut across the esophagus while holding the cardia closed to keep any food inside the stomach
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Cut across the rectum while holding it closed to prevent feces from escaping
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Remove the stomach and intestine as a unit by cutting the mesentery and cutting across the rectum
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Leave the pancreas attached to duodenum and the spleen attached to the stomach
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Open the stomach and intestine at the end of postmortem examination to prevent contamination of other organs and the necropsy table
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Note the contents of the stomach
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Note the content of the intestines (amount of food, presence of abnormal materials)
Examination of urinary system and related organs
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The adrenal glands should be removed before the kidneys are disturbed.
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Incise the adrenal and examine the cortex and medulla
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Remove the kidneys and then remove the capsule after incising the organ longitudinally
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Examine the cortex, medulla and pelvis
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Examine the ureters on both sides
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Open the urinary bladder and examine the nature of contents
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Open the urethra and examine the lumen and mucosa
Examination of reproductive system
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Remove the reproductive tract (testis if male; uterus and ovaries if female) and make a cut across the gonads and into the uterine lumen and oviduct
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Open and examine the vagina, cervix, uterus, oviduct
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Incise the ovaries in females
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Examine the testis and accessory sex glands
Examination of sense organs
Examination of nervous system
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Separate the head from the neck at the junction of the vertebra
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Remove the skin from the top of the head and the skull
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Strip off the muscles to expose the skull
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Break open the skull with the help of a chisel and hammer
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Cut the meninges and expose the brain
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Dissect the brain into two halves
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Preserve one half in buffered formalin and split the other half into containers for virology and toxicology
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If rabies is suspected, dissect the hippocampus major
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Collect pieces of the hippocampus major in glycerin for biological/virological examination and 10% formal saline for histopathology
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Cut the vertebrae and examine the spinal cord
Examination of musculoskeletal system
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Last modified: Friday, 23 March 2012, 10:19 AM