Lecture 1

Question 1

What does ante-mortem mean

Answer 1

Before death

Question 2

What does post-mortem mean

Answer 2

After death

Question 3

Define necropsy

Answer 3

Postmortem examination

Question 4

Define Autopsy

Answer 4

Personal inspection or postmortem examination

Question 5

What is the purpose of a post mortem exam (5)

Answer 5

1. Cause of death
2. Investigation into disease outbreak
3. Reports for insurance company
4. RSPCA report
5. Collection of samples for laboratory examination - Microbiology - Histopathology - Parasitology - Toxicology

Question 6

What animals need a post mortem exam

Answer 6

Any species may require

Question 7

What potential hazards are there and how will you overcome/minimise the risks (5)

Answer 7

1. Physical hazard to yourself and others
2. Biological hazards ie salmonella, Hendra, anthrax
3. Contamination - environmental - samples
4. PPE
5. Disinfection of site, instruments, samples, self

Question 8

List the steps of a post mortem exam

Answer 8

1. Collect a complete history prior to starting
2. Examine the external features of the animal
3. Develop a standard and systemic PM approach
4. Be observant and take samples as you go
5. Examine and record external lesions

Question 9

In a post mortem exam which animal us usually on the left side

Answer 9

Ruminants

Question 10

What is the display stage

Answer 10

The abdominal cavity and thoracic cavity is open

Question 11

What needs to be done PM for microbiology and why

Answer 11

Collect samples aseptically before touching tissues to prevent contamination

Question 12

How to morphologically describe lesions (8)

Answer 12

1. Location 2. Distribution 3. Colour 4. Size 5. Shape 6. Surface appearance 7. Consistency/texture/content 8. Odour

Question 13

What the morphologic description what can be formulated

Answer 13

A morphological diagnosis and etiological diagnosis

Question 14

What is step 1 of PM

Answer 14

Display stage

Question 15

Explain the display stage (step 1)

Answer 15

Skin one side of the animal, reflecting limb

Question 16

What is essential for systematically exam of body cavities and organs

Answer 16

Describe lesions and collect samples as you go on

Question 17

How is the abdominal cavity opened

Answer 17

Adjacent to the edge of the ribcage and reflect the muscles of the abdominal wall. Then cut through the diaphragm and open the thoracic cavity using bone cutters to cut the ribs ventrally adjacent to the sternum and dorsally adjacent to the spine

Question 18

What should you check for in the thoracic cavity

Answer 18

Negative pressure

Question 19

What occurs after the display stage

Answer 19

Routinely remove and examine thoracic organs first then remove and examine abdominal organs

Question 20

What is usually examined last in the PM

Answer 20

GIT

Question 21

When is the GIT examined first

Answer 21

If there is a suspected primary gastrointestinal disorder

Question 22

What do you do if you suspect a bacterial infection

Answer 22

Collect samples aseptically for microbiology before touching tissues to avoid contamination

Question 23

What organs do you have collect if you suspect a bacterial infection

Answer 23

Any lesions that you suspect may have a bacterial/fungal infection

Question 24

What organs do you collect samples from if you expect septicaemia

Answer 24

Heart blood, spleen, liver and lungs

Question 25

What thickness should tissue in formulin for histology be

Answer 25

Less than 1cm

Question 26

What is the ratio of formulin to the fluid volume of tissue

Answer 26

10:1

Question 27

What is collected for cytology

Answer 27

Fluid samples or impression smears

Question 28

What are the samples taken for virology

Answer 28

Dry swabs Fresh tissues