Page 68 - The Veterinary Laboratory and Field Manual 3rd Edition

Setting up and using a laboratory service 37

Item Number Comments
Face mask 5
Labels 10
Laminated file with sampling instructions 1
on clinical entities
Notes: The above kit is suitable for a vehicle and can be housed in a wooden or plastic box with handles. It should be easy to
clean. The box should have compartments to store standard sample bottles. Ideally there should be a separate cooler box for
chilled items. This can operate off a battery or a KVA generator.
This is not meant to be a comprehensive list as there may be specific requirements indicated by the nature of the field work
but the list given reflects what we have found practical and useful for small scale field work.
*Not ideal for long-term preservation of museum specimens.
**Performing simple diagnostic tests at the site of sample collection often promotes ‘good will’ between rural farmers and
extension/laboratory staff in the field as it demonstrates that the field program is designed to help the farmer solve his/her
animal health problems. Other tests will need to be done at the laboratory.

Table 1.4 Suggested materials for a simple post-mortem kit.

1 cleanable metal box with tray
Scissors 1 fine scissors, sharp tips, 12 cm
1 large scissors, 1 sharp tip, 1 blunt tip, 14 cm
1 curved scissors, blunt tips, 14 cm
1 bone scissors, 23 cm
1 pruning shears, autoclavable
Knives 1 autopsy knife, 3 blade sizes, autoclavable plastic handle
1 amputation knife (Catlin knife)
1 cartilage knife
1 brain knife
Forceps 1 fine forceps, serrated, sharp tips, 12 cm
1 large forceps, serrated, blunt tips, 14 cm
1 claw forceps
1 haemostatic forceps
Scalpels 1 one-piece scalpel, 4 cm blade
1 scalpel handle, 14 cm
Scalpel blades No. 18
Disposable scalpel, 1 pack of 10
Other 1 seeker mall probe
1 bone saw
1 hammer
1 tape measure
5 disposable syringes 5 ml with needles
Distilled water and larger supplies of preservatives for fixing post-mortem samples

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