I took notes during Dr. Tristan's talk on the importance of necropsies and histopathology. It is just an outline, of his PowerPoint presentation.
I. Importance of Necropsies & Histopathology
1. Biological Samples
a. Fecal
b. Blood - liver (bile acids most beneficial)
2. Urine - best to take with a needle from the
bladder vs. voided.
3. FNA - cytology
a. Imaging
1. X-rays - digital x-rays are great
2. Ultra sound
II.
veterinarian Limitations
1. Experience and Training
2. Comfort level, comfortable working with sugar
gliders or small animals
3. Patient size - adults/juveniles
4. Sample size - urine/blood (blood 1% of body
weight)
5. Laboratory limits
6. Diagnostic limits - e-rays
III. Why aren't we getting more answers
1. Limited case reports
2. Limited information on current US populations
3. Lack of standardized procedures & diagnostics
4. Lack of cases with a definitive diagnosis
5. Limited necropsy & histopathology reports &
submissions
IV. Some of the common emerging diseases & syndromes
1. Facial abscesses
2. Liver syndrome
3. HLP (hind leg paresis)
4. "Hissing" syndrome
5. Cancer (lymphoma)*Dr. Tristan has had some
success treating gliders for cancer.
V. How do we get more information
1. More diagnostic testing - blood work, xrays,
urinalysis
2. Necropsy & histopathologies done
3. Photos
4. Standardize data collection
5. Compile results from across the country
6. Perform statistical analysis of the information
collected
VI. Getting the most out of your necropsy
1. Refridgerate - DO NOT FREEZE
2. Get glider to your
veterinarian ASAP
After 6 hours tissues begin to break down, you won't get good necropsy results if you wait to long.
VII. Necropsy Submissions
1. Submit a history form
2. All submissions are confidential
3. Packaging of samples - gliders
a. Box
b. Cooler
c. Gel packs - frozen
d. Small box
e. Zip lock bag
f. Larger bag
g. Envelope Attn: Dr. Tristan from__________
put in zip lock bag
h. History form, in envelope
VIII. Costs
1. Priority overnight shipping
2. Necropsy fee $25.00
3. Histopathology 3-4 tissues $150.00, 7 tissues
$250.00
4. Remains are cremated on site at the hospital
a. no charge
5. Additional cost for cremation if ashes are
returned
a. Cremation fee
b. Postage fee
1. Call for pricing
Ship to: Attention Dr. Tim Tristan
Oso Creek Animal Hospital
7713 S. Staples
Corpus Christi, TX 78413
Put your phone number and fax number in there.
To pack the glider for shipment:
First put the glider in a zip lock bag.
Put that bag with the glider in the smaller box.
Put that box with your envelope (which is in its own zip lock bag) into a larger plastic bag.
In the cooler put down one frozen gel pack, place the large plastic bag with the box inside on top of the gel pack, place the other frozen gel pack on that.
Close the cooler and pack into the large cardboard box.
Address and send off Next Day Air.
These are the notes I took, if I have missed anything and you were at the SGGA please add to my notes.