Small Animal Post Mortem Service
We offer full diagnostics post mortem small animal services across the UK to
- vet practices
- vet referral hospitals
- animal charities
- police
By ‘small animal’ in this instance we are referring to small companion animals (cats and dogs)
Do you accept post mortem requests from animal owners?
All animals submitted for post mortems must come from a referring vet – we do not accept them from the owner. The reason is that pathology reports require familiarity with specialist terminology and language and for reporting to be independent and impartial. If the client is in dispute with their vet, we can liaise if required with a nominated third-party vet.
Do you process companion animal post mortem cases where there are negligence concerns?
External veterinary practices may refer animals for necropsy where they require an independent assessment of unexpected patient death during treatment or to investigate apparent sudden or unexplained deaths. In the cases of potential prosecution for neglect, cruelty or malicious cause of death, our role as independent assessors will involve compiling legal reports and, in some cases, involvement as professional witnesses in court proceedings. A proportion of these cases require additional diagnostic imaging ahead of the necropsies.
What is the small animal post mortem submission process?
Please contact us BEFORE sending any animal for a post mortem.
This enables us to advise you on packaging, transportation and co-ordination on delivery timings and logistics with you. All deliveries must be booked in advance and are accepted Monday – Friday during normal working hours (9.30 – 17.00)
Email: diagnosticlabs@rvc.ac..uk
Phone: 01707 666208
What happens to the animal’s body after they have had a post mortem?
We are not permitted to return bodies due to Clinical Waste Regulations. We require cremation instructions within 24 hours of submission and can then arrange either communal cremation, or private cremation at extra cost with recognised and licensed providers depending on your client’s wishes.
What does the price of small animal post mortem include?
Prices are inclusive of:
- Post mortem examination, documentation, and relevant tissue sampling with communal cremation
- A Preliminary report issued within 3 working days following the post-mortem examination
- All histopathology (including special stains)
- Bacteriology and in-house tests deemed necessary by the pathologist.
- Final report within 4 working weeks
Prices are exclusive of any further tests including toxicology and services external to the 91°µÍø
These will be charged accordingly, subject to prior agreement with the referring veterinary surgeon.
What are the prices for small animal post mortems?
(Last price update: 1st August 2024)
Small animals (10-75kg) £690
Extra small animals (under 10kg) £470
Small Animal Post Mortem Service Levels/Turnaround times
A preliminary report will be issued within 3 working days following the post-mortem examination and then a subsequent final report within 4 working weeks.
Small Animal Postmortem Preparation Advice
For optimal preservation, we recommend the animal be sent as soon as possible following death. If there is to be any delays in submission, the body should be refrigerated and delivered to us within 3 days of death. If any delays are anticipated, we recommend that the body be frozen immediately after death to prevent decomposition.
Terms of business & Invoicing terms
/pathology-and-diagnostic-laboratories/terms-of-business
How to contact us
Email: diagnosticlabs@rvc.ac..uk
Phone: 01707 666208