A pet necropsy tissue collection is the process of gathering specific tissue samples from a deceased pet during a necropsy.
Here’s a breakdown of the terms:
- Necropsy: Also known as a post-mortem examination, it’s a detailed examination of a deceased animal to determine the cause of death. Similar to an autopsy in humans.
- Tissue collection: During the necropsy, a veterinarian pathologist will remove small samples from various organs and tissues.
Why is pet necropsy tissue collection done?
There are several reasons a pet owner might opt for a necropsy with tissue collection:
- To understand the cause of death: This can be especially helpful in cases of sudden death or when the cause of illness is unclear.
- For closure: Having a definitive diagnosis can bring peace of mind to grieving pet owners.
- To rule out infectious diseases: This can be important to protect other pets in the household or community.
- To contribute to research: Tissue samples can be used to study animal diseases and develop new treatments.
What tissues are collected during a pet necropsy?
The specific tissues collected will depend on the animal’s history and the veterinarian’s suspicions about the cause of death. However, some commonly collected tissues include:
- Major organs: Brain, heart, lungs, liver, kidneys
- Lymph nodes
- Gastrointestinal tract: Samples from different sections like the stomach and intestines
- Other tissues: Depending on the case, muscle, skin, or bone samples might also be collected.
What happens to the collected tissues?
There are typically two options for the collected tissues:
- Preserved for microscopic examination: Tissues are placed in a formalin solution to be preserved for further analysis under a microscope. This process is called histopathology and allows for a very detailed examination of the tissue structure which can reveal abnormalities.
- Sent for additional testing: Fresh tissue samples might be sent for tests like bacteriology (to identify bacterial infections) or toxicology (to identify poisoning).
Overall, pet necropsy tissue collection is a valuable tool for veterinarians to understand the cause of death in pets. It can provide answers for pet owners and contribute to advancements in veterinary medicine.
