Page 410 - The Veterinary Laboratory and Field Manual 3rd Edition

Pathology/cytology 379

examination ante-mortem so that it is possible the abdominal cavity. Intra-abdominal testes are
to assess what is normal versus abnormal at more likely to develop neoplastic changes.
various stages of the oestrous cycle. In the male,
testes can readily be examined in the scrotal sac A note on species differences
although in some young animals one or both
may not have fully descended and will be located Although all vertebrate species have many ana-
somewhere along the inguinal canal or still in tomic features in common (Figure 8.13) there

Figure 8.13 A schematic view of the topographical anatomy of an elephant to show that although many
wild or exotic species may look quite different to domestic ruminants the general anatomy is similar. There
will be differences in the length, size and shape of specific organs, especially the gastrointestinal tract due
to different diet and habits. If it is necessary to perform a post-mortem on a species with which you are
not familiar, follow the same general protocol as set out for the domestic ruminant. There will be some
differences with regard to the common diseases seen in specific species but it is important to follow a
standard and thorough post-mortem procedure and to seek advice from a facility with experience in the
species examined. (NO) nostril, (Np) nasal passage, (Nc) nasal cavity, (M) mouth, (ep) epiglottis, (Br) brain,
(Sp) spinal cord, (St) stomach, (Li) liver, (Spl) spleen, (Ki) kidney, (Tr) trachea, (Ur) ureter, (Ure) urethra, (Rec)
rectum, (Bl) bladder, (Lu) lung, (H) heart, (Int) intestine.

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