Do veteranarians do autopsies of dead animals to find out exact causes of death?

Question

I'm just curious, in case there could be strange unexplained deaths of many animals all at once.

Answer 1

Sometimes.

if the death is very strange, the local health codes can demand it....

they do in my area, and the DOH foots the bill.

Answer 2

From time to time my daughter does autopsy animals. Usually it is when there is a question of proper care, or of poison, etc.

She may also do them if an animal undergoing treatment dies unexpectedly.

On occasion, an owner of a pet will request one, and my daughter tries to comply whenever possible. This is more for the grieving owner than to obtain medical or forensic information.

Answer 3

I believe so, with the same criteria of humans, only a little less strictly enforced: If the circumstances of death are unexplained or suspicious. With food animals, I think this is compulsory if something contagious is suspected.

Answer 4

Yes, sometimes they do. I witnessed the autopsy on a quarter horse colt..It died of an intestinal blockage of worms, the size of a basketball...Even though it had been wormed. Many vets will autopsy farm animals to rule out certain deceases.

Answer 5

I believe if it's your pet you can request it but then it's sent to a specialist.
Not on wild animals, unless thy're finding alot of dead ones that are the same species and have similar charcteristics in death [ie all their fur falls off or something]

Answer 6

It's called a necropsy and it is not a procedure that is done automatically as it is for humans.

Answer 7

Yes, Ive had two done on lost pets.

Answer 8

Yes, they do when the owner requests it. This is not the right category for this question, however.

Answer 9

Yes. I've attended a few.

Answer 10

Not unless someone is paying the tab.