Page 257 - Zoo Animal Learning and Training

Chapter 12 Laboratory Skills 241

Lay out all necropsy equipment. This includes: burial, cremation with return of the ashes to the owner,
and group versus individual burial are entered onto the
1. Requisition slip tag. The body is placed in the freezer designated for
2. Ziploc bag storage of cadavers pending pick up by the pet ceme-
3. Formalin‐filled vials for tissues tery, animal control authorities, or the owner as is within
4. Transport media for cultures legal constraints of the county. A log may be kept adja-
5. Bunsen burner and match cent to the freezer for entry of each cadaver as it is
6. Flat spatula for searing tissue surfaces placed into the freezer. Record date, patient and owner
7. Two flat containers for the tissues names, and any special instructions for disposition of
8. Slides the body. Contact lab for pick‐up of specimens or pre-
9. Suture material – 1 or 1‐0 non‐absorbable
10. Needle holder and cutting edge needle pare them for shipment.
After the necropsy put on PPE, exam gloves, water-
11. Large, sharp knife proof apron, and boots to clean and disinfect the area.
12. Cleaver Clean instruments using the practice’s protocol. Spray
13. Rongeurs for cutting bones disinfectant and allow it to air dry.
14. Forceps
15. Scissors, operating sharp/blunt
16. Cadaver bag and identification tag.
PPE includes: Reflection
1. Heavy rubber gloves and a pair of exam gloves A necropsy can be a traumatic event, so think
2. Goggles and mask, or face shield about how to prepare yourself for a necropsy
3. Lab coat and waterproof apron mentally. What self‐talk can you use to help you
4. Rubber boots or booties through the necropsy?
5. Tape recorder with foot pedal (optional)
6. Patient record and pen.
Completion of the requisition slip must provide a his-
tory of the patient and gross description of the tissues. Preparing Samples for Shipment
The necropsy is performed in an area away from general
clinic activities. It is best conducted on a rack over a sink to Reference Laboratory
with access to running water. If that isn’t available, layers
of newsprint or chucks under the body are alternatives. Reference laboratories are often utilized by veterinary
The canine and feline cadavers are placed in left lateral practices. Samples are sent to reference laboratories for
recumbency with the ventral surface facing the tests that are rarely done in the practice or because it is
veterinarian. too expensive to maintain the equipment and reagents.
A thorough necropsy is lengthy and detailed. The vet- Necropsy samples are sent to veterinary pathologists that
erinarian may wish to have a tape recorder to dictate are specifically trained to diagnose diseases and condi-
findings as the necropsy progresses. Ideally, the tape tions from the samples.
recorder is equipped with a foot pedal. Notes are then It will be the assistant’s job to package the samples
transcribed from the tape after the procedure and properly so that they arrive in good shape. This will
entered into the patient’s record. This reduces the increase the success of a diagnosis. Fresh tissue sam-
chance for omission of key observations. ples and body fluids must to be kept cool and packaged
In the case of rabies suspects, the whole head is sent to in leak‐proof containers. Fixed tissue samples are
the public health service for evaluation immediately placed in diluted formaldehyde. The reference labora-
upon the patient’s death. While this may seem grotesque, tory will provide leak‐proof containers. In addition to
it is necessary for the well‐being of all people and ani- the samples, the submission form needs to be com-
mals exposed to the suspect because rabies is a fatal zoo- pleted thoroughly. Regardless of the type of tissue, it
notic disease. The public health service is notified that all must arrive at the laboratory in the same shape that
such a specimen is arriving. Confirm whether the whole it was collected.
head or just the brain is to be sent. Confirm details for The shipping container is usually a Styrofoam con-
labeling, packaging, and shipment. tainer with its own lid, inside a cardboard box. Most
After necropsy, all remaining tissues and organs are clinics will save shipping boxes, bubble wrap, or shipping
placed within the body cavities. The body cavities are peanuts and ice packs that companies use to ship supplies
sutured closed. The cadaver is placed in a cadaver bag, to the clinic. These are great to use inside the Styrofoam
sealed tightly, and tagged with the patient’s and owner’s container to keep fresh tissue samples and body fluids
names and the date of death. Special instructions for cool and to pad them from rough handling. Newspaper