Necropsy submissions from internal clinicians

Prior to submission, please ensure that the necropsy request has been entered into Provet, including all relevant clinical history. The cadaver must be clearly labelled with the Provet ID number and full animal details. 

For assistance with case-specific queries, please contact the duty pathologist or the post mortem room technician (506411). You can also contact EBP Reception on EBPEnquiries@ed.ac.uk or 517458 between 9am and 5pm for general guidance. 

Cadavers should be delivered to the Necropsy facility in accordance with the procedures outlined below.

Teaching necropsy categories

There are two subsidised teaching categories are available:

• Teaching necropsy (gross examination only) – Note: samples may not be retained from these cases.
• Teaching necropsy with limited histopathology (up to six slides) - Note: formalin fixed samples will be retained, but fresh samples may not.

Reports generated under these categories are intended solely for the clinician’s interest and teaching purposes. They are not suitable for insurance purposes, legal cases, research or forwarding to clients and/or referring veterinary surgeons.

The turnaround time for histopathology in these subsidised teaching cases is 3-4 weeks, depending on case complexity.

Please note: Gross-only teaching cases submitted outside of the normal academic semester (i.e., when final year students are not on rotation) may be frozen and examined the following semester to maximise learning opportunities.

Routine cremation is included. Requests for individual cremation will incur additional charges and must be arranged directly by the submitting clinician. 

For non-teaching or client-requested submissions, please refer to the relevant guidance provided elsewhere on the Pathology website. 

Cremation

If private cremation is required, please ensure the cadaver is placed in appropriate bag and clearly labelled for private cremation. Please note EBP does not arrange individual cremations; this remains the responsibility of the submitting clinician. Cadavers designated for cremation are collected regularly by Pet Crematorium services. Please liaise with the post mortem room technician regarding individual cases.

Internal cadaver delivery

Small companion animals 

submitted within normal working hours: Deliver to the chill room (G38) adjacent to the necropsy room and place on the bottom shelf of the rack just to the right upon entry.

submitted outside normal working hours: Store cadavers in the HfSA cooler until the next working day.

Small ruminants 

submitted within normal working hours: Deliver to the chill room (G38) and plcae on the bottom shelf of the rack just to the right upon entry.

submitted outside normal working hours: Arrangements are as for normal working hours. Out-of-hours swipe card access is required to enter the building and operate the roller door. If access issues arise, please contact the Campus Facilities Manager (Brian McTeir). Alternatively, cadavers may be placed in the empty bay in the skip disposal room (adjacent to the back door), which is a refrigerated facility with motorised roller doors. Swipe card access is still required.

Large animals 

Submitted within normal working hours: Deliver cadavers for post mortem examination to the back entrance of the pathology/anatomy wing (located behind the new vet school building), using the specialised covered trailer operated by authorised driver.

submitted outside normal working hours: Arrangements are as for normal working hours. Out-of-hours swipe card access is required to enter the building and operate the roller door. Cadavers should be placed in the empty bay in the skip disposal room (adjacent to the back door), which is a refrigerated facility with motorised roller doors. If access issues arise, please contact the Campus Facilities Manager (Brian McTeir).