Pathology

Pathology at the Animal Diagnostic Lab

Necropsy Service

Clients may submit fresh, recently dead animals for post-mortem examination, including agricultural animals such as cattle, sheep, goats, swine, horses, deer, camelids, poultry, game birds, and zoo animals. At the discretion of the pathologist on duty, dogs and cats also may be submitted for necropsy (see special instructions at the bottom of this page). Small pets (fish, amphibians, reptiles, mice, rats etc.) and non-human primates are not accepted for necropsy at ADL.

While the ADL is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (excluding holidays), deliveries of dead animals or samples may be made 24 hours a day on any day of the week (instructions are posted on our loading dock at the rear of the building). Live animals may be submitted only by prior arrangement and during working hours (euthanasia fees will apply). DO NOT leave live animals in the cooler nor on the loading dock. Carcasses should be chilled if possible; do not freeze. Referring veterinarians or clients are encouraged to notify the lab and consult with the pathologist before sending the carcass. A clinical history written by the referring veterinarian or herd/flock manager must accompany the submission. Insurance cases and cases with the potential for litigation must be identified as such and may incur additional fees. No portion of any animal may be returned after submission. Ancillary tests beyond the gross examination are at the discretion of the pathologist within the limits of the tier selected by the submitter. Turn-around time may vary depending on the nature of the tests requested.

Field Necropsy/Diarrhea Panel Submissions

Fresh and formalin-fixed tissues from field necropsies may be submitted for evaluation. Unless specific tests are requested, test selection is at the discretion of the pathologist within the limits of the tier selected by the submitter. Turn-around time is approximately one to two weeks. Please follow the shipping guidelines when submitting samples. Field necropsy mailers are available for purchase through our laboratory.

Fresh fecal samples may be submitted for a complete panel of tests to determine the cause of diarrhea. Depending of the age and species of animal affected, this panel may include bacteriology, parasitology, and molecular biology.

Avian Pathology

Megan Lighty, DVM, PhD, DACPV

Associate Clinical Professor
Avian Diagnostic and Outreach Veterinarian

Areas of Expertise

Diagnostic pathology – avian species
Field diagnostic investigations – chickens, turkeys, upland gamebirds, waterfowl, hatchery, and processing
Emphasis on diagnosis, prevention, and control of infectious diseases of commercial poultry
Turkey production medicine, including clostridial diseases and reoviral hepatitis