Practical- Post Mortem examination

Question 1

What is Step 1 of the post-mortem examination?

Answer 1

• Thorough external examination (eyes ears nose)
• note discharge/ mucous membranes
• examine the hair/ coat quality
• Palpate the limbs for fractures

Question 2

What is step 2 of the post mortem examination?

Answer 2

• Place the animal in dorsal recumbancy
• Reflect the skin backwards
• incision from chin to anus
• reflect the skin from the thorax
• disarticulate both hip joints

Question 3

What is step 3 of the post-mortem examination?

Answer 3

• Open the abdominal cavity and examine organs in situ
• note position, colour etc.

Question 4

What is step 4 of the post-mortem examination?

Answer 4

• Open the thorax and examine the organs in situ
• Check for negative pressure

Question 5

What is step 5 of the post-mortem examination?

Answer 5

Remove the pluck and examine
Cut the soft tissue between the tongue and the mandibular rami
Examine the thyroid glands
Palpate and examine all lung lobes

Question 6

What is step 6 of the post-mortem examination?

Answer 6

Open the pericardium and note any fluid
Determine the orientation- usually using the auricles
Cut the bottom of the heart, assess wall thickness

Question 7

What is step 7 of the post-mortem examination?

Answer 7

Remove the abdominal organs
* Examine kidneys, reproductive tract, detach the liver from the diaphragm

Question 8

What is step 8 of the post-mortem examination?

Answer 8

Examine the liver and GIT
(spleen, stomach etc.)

Question 9

What is step 9 of the post-mortem examination?

Answer 9

• Remove the head and brain
  *