Page 559 - The Veterinary Laboratory and Field Manual 3rd Edition

496 Samuel Sharpe

• hacksaw, hammer, chisel/flat-headed screw- are inspected by the professional in charge of the
driver (for brain removal) procedure only essential personnel should take
• cutting board or tray part in the necropsy.
• string Equipment should be well maintained and
• notebook and pen for recording findings kept in good working order. Knives and other
• sampling containers: plastic containers for cutting tools should be sharp to make work eas-
fixative, clean sample bags or empty plastic ier and reduce the risk of injury to personnel.
containers, vacutainer blood tubes Appropriate PPE including designated rubber
• 5 ml, 10 ml, 20 ml syringes, 18 gauge and 22 boots and coveralls should be worn. Thick rubber
gauge needles gauntlets, which can be disinfected and re-used,
• camera: very useful for documenting lesions are recommended over latex examination gloves,
for second opinion. which may not be robust enough for necropsy
examination. Cut-resistant gloves either made
Note that tools and sampling materials should of Kevlar or chainmail can be worn underneath
be gathered and prepared prior to beginning the rubber gloves on the non-cutting hand. Eye pro-
necropsy examination. This includes preparing tection in the form of safety glasses or a plastic
and labelling appropriate sampling containers, face shield is strongly advised to reduce the risk
which should be clearly labelled to allow identi- of droplet contamination.
fication of the animal and type of specimen. In If there is a choice for where the necropsy is
addition to improving efficiency of the process, to be performed it is strongly advised to select
gathering and labelling sampling containers will a site that is practical and can be easily disin-
also reduce the risk that any samples will be fected to minimize the risk of disease spread. It
overlooked during the necropsy. is important to know and to adhere to local rules
and regulations governing handling and disposal
of biohazardous material in your area.
Safety considerations:

Performing field necropsy examination involves A2.4 Mammalian necropsy
working with sharp instruments and often very technique
heavy specimens without access to specialized
machinery, such as winches or hydraulic tables Note that the following text will describe a nec-
found in a post-mortem laboratory. In addition, ropsy technique with the animal positioned in
zoonotic risk of potential pathogens encoun- left lateral recumbency. This section reflects the
tered should always be a primary consideration. demonstration video on the website. It should be
If anthrax is suspected based on signal- noted, however, that a wide variety of techniques
ment, history or external appearance the carcass have been described and it is up to the prosec-
should not be disturbed and testing performed tor how they wish to position the animal for
before necropsy is performed. necropsy examination. It is strongly advised to
Working with an assistant is always advis- always orientate the animal in the same way and
able, even when examining small animals, as perform the necropsy in the same order. Over
this will facilitate efficient and accurate dis- time the prosector will become familiar with the
section and makes handling and manoeuvring normal location and appearance of organs and
larger animals much safer. To reduce the risk of structures in the chosen orientation and this will
accidental injury and to ensure that all lesions aid in the detection of abnormalities.

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