Posted By: Anonymous
Necropsy Information - 09/30/04 01:38 PM
This thread is meant to be a resource for necropsy information. Several threads and posts have been combined, original authors and dates are noted when possible. ~sugarlope
This is a tough subject but it needs to be said--if you have a glider pass away--it is essential that you do not freeze your lost pet. Freezing destroys cells walls and damages the tissues needed for a proper necropsy. We did one last weekend, and ran into many inconsistencies, most of which were caused by freezing. Refrigeration is fine, but don't freeze them. Your vet cannot get an accurate reading on what might have happened to your glider. Thank you--and I hope none of you have to go through this anytime soon! (originally posted by GlidinforLove 09/30/2004)
"Place your baby's body in a ziplock baggie as soon as possible & place them in the refrigerator. (NOT THE FREEZER) this will help stop some of the necrosis (it does not prevent the tissue & organs from dying completely). Then the sooner you can get your gliders body into the vet the better the necropsy results can be." (originally posted by SweetGliders 12/20/2008)
"The only thing I would like to add to this is that Dr.Tristan stated it is much better to get the glider in between 12-24 hours. You have a lot more to work with on a glider in that time frame. However, a glider can still be done up to 48 hours. Chances are anything after the 24 hour period you will have to send tissues off to the lab though." (originally posted by Srlb 12/20/2008)
"[Dr Tristan] asked me to please tell people that have necropsies done to make sure if tissue samples are being sent out, to PLEASE make sure it is a pathologist that does EXOTICS. As most pathologist do not really know the different types of things to look for when dealing with a specimen they are not used to seeing.
He suggested I pass on the name of the ONLY pathologist he uses and encourages people to please ask your vet to send off the tissues to them. They (Zoo/Exotic Pathology Service) are experienced with gliders and other exotics and know different areas/tissues and problems to look for that someone else may not. Their names are Dr. Drury R. Reavill and Dr. Robert E Schmidt. Their information can be found Here." (originally posted by Srlb 06/08/2007)
This is a tough subject but it needs to be said--if you have a glider pass away--it is essential that you do not freeze your lost pet. Freezing destroys cells walls and damages the tissues needed for a proper necropsy. We did one last weekend, and ran into many inconsistencies, most of which were caused by freezing. Refrigeration is fine, but don't freeze them. Your vet cannot get an accurate reading on what might have happened to your glider. Thank you--and I hope none of you have to go through this anytime soon! (originally posted by GlidinforLove 09/30/2004)
"Place your baby's body in a ziplock baggie as soon as possible & place them in the refrigerator. (NOT THE FREEZER) this will help stop some of the necrosis (it does not prevent the tissue & organs from dying completely). Then the sooner you can get your gliders body into the vet the better the necropsy results can be." (originally posted by SweetGliders 12/20/2008)
"The only thing I would like to add to this is that Dr.Tristan stated it is much better to get the glider in between 12-24 hours. You have a lot more to work with on a glider in that time frame. However, a glider can still be done up to 48 hours. Chances are anything after the 24 hour period you will have to send tissues off to the lab though." (originally posted by Srlb 12/20/2008)
"[Dr Tristan] asked me to please tell people that have necropsies done to make sure if tissue samples are being sent out, to PLEASE make sure it is a pathologist that does EXOTICS. As most pathologist do not really know the different types of things to look for when dealing with a specimen they are not used to seeing.
He suggested I pass on the name of the ONLY pathologist he uses and encourages people to please ask your vet to send off the tissues to them. They (Zoo/Exotic Pathology Service) are experienced with gliders and other exotics and know different areas/tissues and problems to look for that someone else may not. Their names are Dr. Drury R. Reavill and Dr. Robert E Schmidt. Their information can be found Here." (originally posted by Srlb 06/08/2007)