Small Animal Necropsy Part III

International Veterinarians in North America

17 Nov 201508:45

Summary

TLDRThis script outlines a detailed necropsy procedure, focusing on the examination of various organs in animals, including the eyes, urinary system, reproductive system, and brain. It emphasizes checking for signs of disease or injury, such as hydrosis, obstruction, or bone marrow quality. The process involves palpation, sectioning, and careful observation for abnormalities, concluding with a necropsy report to document findings and facilitate further diagnosis.

Takeaways

🔍 Examine both external and internal reproductive systems (ERS) for dilation or presence of uroliths.
🌡 Check the urinary bladder for contents and mucosal surface, looking for signs of hydrosis or urinary tract obstruction.
🔧 If indicated, the urethra should also be examined for obstruction or other issues.
👁️‍🔬 Open and inspect the uterus, including both uterine horns, for any abnormalities in contents and mucosa.
🚨 Note any marked diffuse congestion in the uterine body and right uterine horn as a significant finding.
🍎 Section both ovaries during the examination to assess their condition.
🫁 Examine and compare the adrenal glands for the thickness of the cortex and medulla, typically in a 1:1 ratio.
🦴 Assess the femur and bone marrow for quality and quantity of compact and spongy bone, and check growth plates.
🪓 If a band saw is unavailable, use bone cutters to break the diaphysis of the femur for further evaluation.
🧠 For brain examination, remove overlying skin and muscles, and carefully extract the brain to evaluate symmetry and check for space-occupying masses or hemorrhages.
🩺 After brain extraction, check for signs of trauma, meningitis (indicated by cloudiness and excitation), and document all findings.
📝 Write a necropsy report detailing postmortem findings, gross morphological diagnoses, and tissue samples collected for further tests.

Q & A

What should be examined first during the necropsy process described in the script?
-The external reproductive structures (ERS) should be examined first, including checking if they are dilated or conconif, and looking for uroliths.
What should be done if there is evidence of hydrosis or urinary tract obstruction during the necropsy?
-The urethra should be opened and examined to further investigate the cause of the obstruction or hydrosis.
What is the significance of examining the urinary bladder's contents and mucosal surface?
-Examining the urinary bladder's contents and mucosal surface helps in identifying any abnormalities or signs of disease that could indicate urinary tract issues.
Why is it important to examine the uterine horns during a necropsy?
-Examining the uterine horns is important to check for any signs of disease or abnormalities that could affect fertility or be indicative of an infection.
What does the term 'marked diffuse congestion' refer to in the context of the uterine body and the right uterine horn?
-Marked diffuse congestion refers to a significant increase in blood flow to the uterine body and the right uterine horn, which could be a sign of inflammation or other pathological conditions.
Why is the thickness of the adrenal cortex and medulla compared during the necropsy?
-Comparing the thickness of the adrenal cortex and medulla helps in identifying any abnormalities in the adrenal glands, which could indicate stress or disease.
What is the purpose of examining the femur and bone marrow during a necropsy?
-Examining the femur and bone marrow helps in assessing the quality and quantity of compact and spongy bone, as well as the health of the growth plates, which can provide insights into the animal's overall health and development.
How should the brain be removed for examination during a necropsy?
-The brain should be removed by first making cuts to expose the meninges, then using a chisel to pry off the bony cap, and finally cutting the cranial nerves and the pituitary stalk to remove the brain for examination.
What should be evaluated when examining the brain during a necropsy?
-The symmetry between the left and right sides of the brain should be evaluated, as asymmetry could indicate a space-occupying mass or other abnormalities.
Why is it important to check for brain hemorrhages during a necropsy?
-Checking for brain hemorrhages is important because they are commonly caused by trauma, and their presence can indicate the cause of death or injury sustained by the animal.
What should be done after the necropsy to obtain a final diagnosis?
-After the necropsy, a necropsy report should be written documenting all findings, and tissue samples collected during the necropsy should be processed for further tests if necessary to obtain a final diagnosis.

Outlines

00:00

🔍 Comprehensive Post-Mortem Examination

This paragraph details the steps involved in a thorough necropsy, starting with the examination of the external reproductive system (ERS), checking for dilation or constriction and the presence of uroliths. It proceeds with the inspection of the urinary bladder, including its contents and mucosal surface. If there are indications of hydronephrosis or urinary tract obstruction, the urethra is also examined. The uterus is opened to inspect its contents and mucosa, with special attention given to any signs of congestion. The ovaries and adrenal glands are sectioned and compared for their cortex and medulla thickness, with a normal ratio of 1:1 expected in most animals. The femur is examined for bone quality and growth plate health, and the brain is removed by a specific procedure that includes making cuts and removing the meninges. The paragraph emphasizes the importance of documenting findings and considering gross morphological diagnoses.

05:01

🧠 Brain Examination and Necropsy Report

The second paragraph focuses on the examination of the brain following the necropsy procedure. It describes the method to expose the meninges and remove the brain, including cutting the cranial nerves and the pituitary stalk. The brain is then examined for symmetry and signs of space-occupying masses, hemorrhages, and other abnormalities. The presence of trauma or meningitis is also considered. The paragraph concludes with the instruction to write a necropsy report that documents all findings and diagnoses, and mentions the processing of tissue samples for further tests to reach a final diagnosis.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡ERS

ERS stands for Eyelid Reflex Stimulation, which is a test to check the function of the facial nerve. In the context of the video, examining the ERS implies checking the responsiveness of the animal's eyes to stimuli, which is a part of the overall health assessment during a necropsy.

💡Uroliths

Uroliths are mineral deposits that form in the urinary system, commonly known as kidney or bladder stones. The script mentions looking for uroliths during the examination of the urinary system, indicating the importance of identifying potential urinary tract obstructions or other complications.

💡Urinary Bladder

The urinary bladder is an organ that stores urine before it is excreted from the body. The script instructs to open and examine the urinary bladder, including its contents and mucosal surface, which is crucial for diagnosing conditions like hydrosis or urinary tract obstruction.

💡Urethra

The urethra is the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body. The script suggests that if there is evidence of urinary tract issues, the urethra should also be opened and examined, which is part of a thorough necropsy to identify the cause of any urinary problems.

💡Uterus

The uterus is a major female reproductive organ where a fetus develops. The script describes examining the body of the uterus and both uterine horns, which is important for assessing reproductive health and identifying any abnormalities that may have contributed to the animal's condition.

💡Ovaries

Ovaries are the female reproductive organs that produce eggs and hormones. The script mentions sectioning both ovaries for examination, which is part of evaluating the overall reproductive system health during a necropsy.

💡Adrenal Glands

Adrenal glands are endocrine glands located on top of the kidneys that produce hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. The script talks about examining and comparing the thickness of the cortex and medulla of the adrenal glands, which is important for assessing endocrine function and identifying any abnormalities.

💡Femur

The femur is the bone between the hip and the knee, and it is one of the longest and strongest bones in the body. The script describes examining the femur for quality and quantity of compact and spongy bone, as well as growth plates, which helps in assessing bone health and development.

💡Brain

The brain is the central organ of the nervous system. The script provides detailed steps for removing and examining the brain, including checking for symmetry and signs of hemorrhage or space-occupying masses, which is crucial for diagnosing neurological conditions.

💡Meninges

The meninges are the protective membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. The script mentions exposing the meninges during the brain examination, which is an important step in identifying any inflammation or infection that may be present.

💡Necropsy Report

A necropsy report is a detailed document that records all findings from an autopsy. The script emphasizes the importance of writing a necropsy report after the examination, which includes documenting postmortem findings and diagnoses, and is essential for providing a comprehensive understanding of the animal's condition.

Highlights

Examination and palpation of both external reproductive structures (ERS) for dilation or constriction.

Inspection for uroliths during the opening of the urinary bladder.

Assessment of the urinary bladder's contents and mucosal surface for hydrosis or urinary tract obstruction.

The necessity to open and examine the urethra if evidence of obstruction is found.

Opening and examination of the uterine body and both uterine horns for any abnormalities.

Observation of marked diffuse congestion in the uterine body and the right uterine horn.

Sectioning and examination of both ovaries for any pathological findings.

Comparison of adrenal gland cortex and medulla thickness for a typical 1:1 ratio.

Examination of the femur and bone marrow for quality and quantity of bone types.

Use of bone cutters as an alternative to a band saw for femur examination.

Removal and examination of the brain with attention to symmetry and potential space-occupying masses.

Identification of brain hemorrhages potentially caused by trauma.

Assessment of cranial bones and adjacent skin for signs of meningitis.

Documentation of all postmortem findings and gross morphological diagnoses in a necropsy report.

Processing of tissue samples collected during necropsy for further tests if necessary.

Use of a vise and specific cuts to expose the meninges and brain for detailed examination.

Practical steps for removing the bony cap of the skull to access the brain.