Small Animal Necropsy Part III

Summary

This 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.