Necropsy

We accept submissions of a wide range of species from external referring vets.

Please contact us prior to submitting a cadaver for necropsy. All submissions must be accompanied by a completed submission form including the animal’s signalment, relevant clinical history and clinical signs. The submission form must also clearly indicate any requests regarding disposal of the cadaver (e.g., individual or communal cremation), consent for tissue retention for further diagnostic purposes and tissue retention for teaching and/or research purposes.

Arrangements for individual cremation are the responsibility of the referring practice.

We are unable to provide a routine collection service. Veterinary practices located nearby may arrange delivery of cadavers to our reception; however, clients are not permitted to deliver animals directly. Practices submitting cases from outside the Edinburgh area are advised to use a reputable overnight courier service.

Due to legislative requirements, cadavers submitted for post-mortem examination cannot be returned for private burial. Animals may, however, be returned to the owner following individual cremation. While we work closely with several pet cremation providers who collect from our facility regularly, we are unable to organise or manage private cremation services directly. It is the responsibility of the referring veterinary practice to arrange private cremation following the post mortem examination, including subsequent return of ashes to the owner. Where no alternative arrangements are made, animals will be cremated communally with no ashes returned.

The standard necropsy includes options of either:

  • Gross examination only, or
  • Gross examination with histopathology

These services are selected on the submission form. Both options include gross examination of the brain/spinal cord as approproiate, decalficiation of bony tissues as required and communal cremation of all animals (individual cremation incurs an additional fee and remains the responsibility of the submitting veterinary practice, as discussed previously).

Histopathology performed on necropsy cases where requested includes a panel of routinely stained sections (up to eight slides). Additional investigations including histochemistry and immunohistochemistry may be undertaken as required, as detailed on the histopathology page. Additional diagnostic tests including microbiology and toxicology carry additional charges.

Any tests carrying additional charges will be discussed with the referring veterinarian prior to submission.

Necropsy and associated histopathology reports are prepared by veterinary pathologists and residents in veterinary pathology under direct supervision. Please note that all reports are issued to the submitting practice and not directly to the client. 

 

An initial macroscopic report will be provided within three days of the necropsy. Please note that if the cadaver has been frozen, the turnaround time may be extended. Any subsequent histopathology results will be reported within two weeks; please inform us if the case requires expedited processing.


Cadavers should be submitted where possible, in at least one, and preferably two, sealed plastic bags within a leak-proof, plastic container. This container should be surrounded with ice packs and an outer layer of absorbent material, such as cotton wool or paper towels. A fully completed submission form must be included alongside the packaging. 

Please contact our reception team  to discuss the submission of larger animals e.g, farm animal, equines or large exotic species. 


For Health and Safety reasons, submissions involving known or suspected derogated hazard group 3 or hazard group 3 agents (see HSE Approved List of Biological Agents below) require additional handling and examination precautions. We are unable to accept known or suspected hazard group 3 agents, including primates of uncertain health status or badgers from known TB-affected areas.

Animals which have received chemotherapeutic or cytotoxic therapy within 8 days prior to death cannot be submitted for post-mortem examination due to increased health and safety requirements. This interval is extended to 21 days following administration of either doxorubicin or carboplatin.

If the animal you wish to submit has recently received either chemotherapeutic or cytotoxic therapy, or carries a known/suspected derogated hazard group 3 or hazard group 3 agent, please contact our reception team prior to submission and indicate this clearly on the submission form.


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