Page 396 - The Veterinary Laboratory and Field Manual 3rd Edition

Pathology/cytology 365

biosecurity and biosafety, performing a thorough 3 Note any previous illness/treatment (vacci-
clinical examination of any live, in-contact, ani- nation/antimicrobial use/de-worming and so
mals. If more than one animal has been affected, on).
and test capabilities allow, samples from sick live 4 If relevant, discuss the epidemiological fea-
animals can provide valuable supplementary tures of the case with the veterinary officer/
information. If there is a disease outbreak it is animal health professional in charge.
important to determine the number of animals 5 Examine the external appearance and pre-
at risk, the morbidity rate (that is, the number sentation of the dead animal(s) carefully (see
of sick animals) and the mortality rate (that is, below).
number of dead animals). The veterinarian or
other animal health professional in charge of the
outbreak will assess the epidemiological profile Basic post-mortem equipment for
of the outbreak, which species and age groups field work – see Chapter 1 for full
are affected, the clinical course of the disease kit.
(that is, acute or chronic), the number and loca-
tions of properties or districts that have had • note book and pen to record gross find-
cases of the disease, the presence of pre-dispos- ings
ing factors including changes in management, • protective clothing and suitable disinfec-
climatic factors, animal movements and so on. tant
Taking a good history and examining clini- • sharp knife/cleaver
cally affected animals will assist animal health • hammer and saw (to open the skull and
field staff to determine which samples to collect long bones)
from sick and dead animals in order to confirm • scissors, scalpel blades and forceps
a diagnosis. To assist the laboratory, for each • tray for examination of visceral tissues
case attended, the veterinary officer in charge • string
should make a short list of the differential diag- • specimen jars and preservatives and so
noses which need to be ruled in or out. If this on.
is not possible then it is essential to provide as
much relevant information as possible on the
laboratory submission form (see Appendix 2) to Sample collection (equipment
accompany the laboratory samples so that the required)
appropriate tests can be selected. For submis-
sion of samples from live animals please consult • submission forms/marker pen to identify
the section on clinical examination, sample samples
collection and diagnosis in Chapter 1. • bottles and 10% buffered formalin for
histological samples
• plastic bags (sealed) and sterile contain-
taking a case history and clinical ers/swabs for microbiology samples
examination • microscope slides/ethanol for tissue
impression smears
1 Determine the age, identification number, • syringes (10–20 ml)/18–20 gauge nee-
sex, species and breed of the dead animal(s). dles for taking fluid samples from body
2 Outline the duration and nature of any clini- cavities, blood, urine and joint fluid.
cal signs observed prior to death.

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