Purdue University

Veterinary Technology Distance Learning Program

Lynn Hall, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907

Necropsy
Clinical Mentorship

VM 22400

Criteria Handbook and Logbook

Index of Notebook
Student Information

Goals of Necropsy Clinical Mentorship

Contact person at Purdue University
Pre-requisites for VM 22400 Necropsy Clinical Mentorship
Courses
Contracts and agreements
Technical standards
Insurance
Selection of Clinical Mentorship site facility criteria
Selection of Mentorship Supervisor
Materials The Criteria Handbook and Logbook
Completion of Necropsy Clinical Mentorship
Notes to student
Veterinary Necropsy Technique Handout
Guidelines for Packing and Shipping of Samples

Clinical Mentorship Tasks

Introduction to Essential Tasks and Criteria
1. Assist in Prosection on Non-Preserved Animal
2. Collection, Preservation and Shipping of Samples
Clinical Mentorship Projects
3. Safe Handling of Rabies Suspect Bodies and Samples
4. Storage and Disposal of Deceased Animals

NOTE THE FOLLOWING DUE DATES FOR THE TASKS ABOVE:

Fall or Spring semester

5:00p.m. Thursday of week 10 Tasks 1-2

5:00p.m. Thursday of week 12 Tasks 3-4

Summer session

5:00p.m. Thursday of week 4 Tasks 1-2

5:00p.m. Thursday of week 6 Tasks 3-4

Incomplete grades will not be assigned for mentorships at the end of the semester.
Grade penalties will be assessed for tasks submitted after the due date.
Resubmission due dates will be set by the instructor as required.

STUDENT INFORMATION
GOALS OF VM 22400 NECROPSY CLINICAL MENTORSHIP
Working with a veterinary care facility, the student will practice several tasks under the supervision of a
clinical mentor (veterinarian or credentialed veterinary technician).
In order to achieve the goals for this Clinical Mentorship, the tasks must be performed to the level of
competency as outlined by the Criteria for each task.
The student is responsible for providing documentation for each task as defined by the Materials
Submitted for Evaluation and Verification section on each task.
In addition to the documentation, the Clinical Mentorship site supervisor will verify that the student met the
outlined Criteria for each task.
Final approval of successful performance and completion of the Clinical Mentorship will be made by the
Purdue University instructor in charge of the Clinical Mentorship. This approval will be based upon the
documentation provided by the student.
The Purdue University instructor in charge has the option to require additional documentation if, in their
judgment, the student has not performed and/or documented the task to the level set by the Criteria.
Documentation of completed tasks is essential to validate the educational process and insure that the
performance of graduates of the Veterinary Technology Distance Learning Program meets the standards
of quality required by the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine faculty and the American
Veterinary Medical Association accrediting bodies.

CONTACT PERSON
Any questions regarding the Clinical Mentorship process should be directed to:
Pam Phegley, BS, RVT
Purdue University
Veterinary Technology Program
625 Harrison Street, Lynn Hall G171
West Lafayette IN 47907
(765) 496-6809
phegleyp@purdue.edu

PRE-REQUISITES FOR VM 22400 NECROPSY CLINICAL MENTORSHIP

Course Pre-requisites
VCS 23100 Small Animal Nursing and Health Management IV
VCS 14900 Large Animal Nursing and Health Management II
CPB 22600 Parasitology II
CPB 22700 Microbiology
CPB 24100 Public and Occupational Health II
Contracts and Agreements
Because of legal, liability and AVMA accreditation issues, the following documents must be
completed prior to beginning the Clinical Mentorship
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Facility Requirement Agreement

Clinical Mentorship Agreement
Supervisor Agreement
Health Risk and Insurance Acknowledgement
Professional Liability Insurance Coverage
Agreement and Release of Liability
Technical Standards Acknowledgement

These forms are available on the VTDL website for downloading, printout, and completion, or by
phone request from the VTDL office (765-496-6579).
If more than one Clinical Mentorship course is taken, a separate Facility Requirement Agreement,
Clinical Mentorship Agreement, and Supervisor Agreement must be completed for each course.
More than one Mentorship Supervisor may sign the mentorship logbook. Each must be either a
DVM or a credentialed technician, and must complete a separate Supervisor Agreement.
Failure to complete and return the listed documents and the payment for Student Professional
Liability Insurance Coverage will prevent the student from enrolling in the Clinical Mentorship.
Insurance
Two types of insurance are recommended or required for the student working in a Clinical
Mentorship.
Health Insurance is highly recommended to cover the medical expenses should the student
become injured while on the job. It is the students responsibility to procure such insurance.
Liability Insurance is required to protect the student in the event of a suit filed against the student
for acts he/she performed while in the Clinical Mentorship.
Each VTDL student is required to purchase, for a nominal fee, Professional Liability Insurance
through Purdue University. This is done by completing the Professional Liability Insurance
Coverage form and sending a check for the fee. This check must be separate from payment of
course fees. The fee covers from the time of initiation of coverage until the subsequent July 31st.
Students will not be enrolled in Clinical Mentorships until the Professional Liability Insurance is
paid, and the student is covered by the policy.

SELECTING THE CLINICAL MENTORSHIP SITE FACILITY

REQUIREMENTS
You must visit the Clinical Mentorship Site and determine if the following supplies and equipment
are readily available to you for use during your Clinical Mentorship. You must complete and have
the facility veterinarian sign the Facility Requirement Agreement.
The veterinary care facility must be equipped:
With the following equipment:
Necropsy knife (sturdy and able to be sharpened
Scalpel handle
Mayo or Metzenbaum scissors
Forceps
Serrated utility scissors
Pruning shears or other instrument for cutting ribs
With the following items:
Heavy-duty latex gloves
Scalpel blades
Jars of formalin
Sterile culture tubes or culture swabs
Zipper-top plastic bags
Indelible marking pen
Note: If an appropriate case for necropsy does not present to the mentorship site, a large rat may
be purchased and used. Any differences in rat anatomy should be noted verbally on the video.

SELECTION OF THE CLINICAL MENTORSHIP SUPERVISOR

The Clinical Mentorship Supervisor is the person who will sign your Logbook and verify
performance of tasks at the Clinical Mentorship site. This person must be a credentialed
veterinary technician (have graduated from an AVMA accredited program or met State
requirements for credentialing as a veterinary technician) or a licensed veterinarian.
An individual who claims to be a veterinary technician but has not met the criteria for
credentialing above is not eligible to be mentorship supervisor.
The individual is not considered to be an employee of Purdue University when acting as your
Clinical Mentorship supervisor.
Each Clinical Mentorship Supervisor must complete a Supervisor Agreement. You must return
this agreement with the other agreements prior to beginning your Clinical Mentorship. Multiple
supervisors may be used for documentation of mentorship tasks. Each supervisor must complete
a separate agreement.
Should your Clinical Mentorship Supervisor change during the course of the Clinical Mentorship,
you will need to have your new supervisor complete a Clinical Mentorship Supervisor Agreement
and return it to the Purdue VTDL office. These forms are available on the VTDL website for
downloading and printing.

CRITERIA HANDBOOK AND LOGBOOK

This Criteria Handbook and Logbook contains the list of tasks that must be successfully
completed in order to receive credit for this Clinical Mentorship. You are expected to have learned
the basics of how, why, and when each procedure is to be done from the courses listed as prerequisites for this Clinical mentorship. This booklet contains the directions and forms that must be
followed and completed in order to meet the standards set for successful completion of this
Clinical mentorship.
Please read each component of each task carefully before doing the task, to minimize the
number of times you have to repeat the task. The components of each task are summarized:
Goal Describes the ultimate outcome of the task you will perform.
Description Lists the physical acts that you will perform, and under what conditions these acts
will be completed.
Criteria - Lists specific, observable, objective behaviors that you must demonstrate for each
task. Your ability to demonstrate each of these behaviors will be required in order to be
considered as having successfully completed each task.
Number of Times Task Needs to be Successfully Performed States the required number of
times to repeat the tasks. The patients name and the date each repetition of the task was
performed must be recorded on the Task Verification Form.
Materials Submitted for Evaluation and Verification These specific materials, which usually
include video or other materials, must be submitted to demonstrate that you actually
performed the task as stated. Each evaluation states specifically what must be shown in
the submitted materials.
The Purdue University course instructor for this Clinical Mentorship has the option to
request further documentation if the submitted materials do not clearly illustrate the
required tasks.
It is recommended that the video materials document all angles of the procedure. The
purpose of the video and other material is to provide concrete evidence that you were
able to perform the task to the standard required.
If you do not own a video camera, one may be borrowed or rented. Pre-planning the
video procedures will help reduce the need to redo the video documentation. Explain
what you are doing as you perform the video documentation, as narration will help the
evaluator follow your thought process and clarify what is seen on the video. Voiceovers
may be done to clearly explain what is being performed. At the beginning of each task,
clearly announce what task you are doing, or insert a written title in the video.

Videotapes, photographs, radiographs, slides, written projects, the Criteria Handbook and
Logbook and any other required documentation will not be returned. These items will be
kept at Purdue as documentation of the students performance for accreditation
purposes.
This validation is essential to help the Purdue VTDL meet AVMA accreditation criteria.
Therefore, it is essential that you follow the evaluation and validation requirements.
Task Verification Forms Each task has a form that must be completed and signed by the Clinical
Mentorship Supervisor.
Supplementary Materials Logs, written materials, photographs, or other forms/documentation may be
required for specific tasks. Be sure to read the Materials to be Submitted for
Evaluation section very carefully and return all documented evidence as
prescribed.

COMPLETION OF THE CLINICAL MENTORSHIP

The clinical Mentorships are designed to follow the semester format of Purdue University. Due to the
amount of time required to evaluate materials, a grade of Incomplete will initially be recorded at the end of
each semester. When evaluation is complete and all tasks have been completed successfully, a grade
change will be submitted to the University. You may complete the Clinical Mentorship and submit
materials any time prior to the end of the semester.
If you are unable to complete the Clinical Mentorship by the deadline, you must contact Pam Phegley,
BS, RVT (phegleyp@purdue.edu, 765-496-6809) to request an Incomplete grade for the semester. The
Clinical Mentorship will be treated by the University as it would any other Incomplete graded course. See
the VTDL Student Handbook for specific information on Incompletes. Failure to contact Pam Phegley
before the due date and/or submit materials will result in a grade of F being recorded for the course.
When you have completed all of the tasks and the documentation, send the complete compilation of
materials to:
Vet Tech Distance Learning
Clinical Mentorship Evaluation
Purdue University
625 Harrison Street, Lynn Hall G171
West Lafayette IN 47907
You will be contacted by email and regular mail after materials have been reviewed. The Purdue
University instructor in charge has the option to require additional documentation if, in their judgment, the
student has not performed or documented the task to the level set by the criteria.
If additional documentation is deemed required by the course instructor or the Clinical Mentorship
Coordinator, the student will be contacted and the additional required documentation explained. A
deadline will be given for materials to be resubmitted. Grade penalties will be assigned if resubmissions
are not received by the deadline.
Final approval of successful performance and completion of the Clinical Mentorship will be made by the
Purdue University instructor in charge of the Clinical Mentorship based upon the documentation provided
by the student.
Upon successful completion of the documentation, a grade for the course will be assigned by the course
instructor based upon the documented performance of the tasks.

Notes to Student
As there is no didactic course to accompany the Necropsy Clinical Mentorship,
handouts have been included in the mentorship logbook to inform the student of
techniques and procedures that will be needed to complete the tasks. The first is the
technique used by the Purdue Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (ADDL) for
performance of necropsy. The second is a page of guidelines for packing and shipping
samples to outside labls.
The student should review anatomy to be able to identify anatomical landmarks
mentioned in the necropsy technique. In addition, the student should understand all the
terminology used to describe the technique or lesions observed (i.e., transudate, in
situ, etc.)
The student should also read the Basic Necropsy Procedures chapter in McCurnins
Clinical Textbook for Veterinary Technicians.
Thoroughly review and understand the technique prior to beginning the
necropsy.

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VETERINARY NECROPSY TECHNIQUE

Purdue University
Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory
The following is a brief outline of the technique that is to be used when performing postmortem
examinations. Do not begin the necropsy until a permission sheet signed by the owner is in your
possession. A signed owners release form must accompany any animal to be euthanized.
Remember that the entire carcass, including all systems and organs, must be carefully examined.
Lesions may appear anywhere and care should be taken to expose and examine all lesions. Examine
each of the paired organs.
Every animal should be weighed and/or measured (i.e., crown-rump length for aborted feti) prior to
prosection.

Preliminary Review and Obserations

1.
2.
3.
4.

Signalment species, breed, sex, sexual status, age, color

History and clinical diagnosis
Clinical pathology
External appearance
Body condition (adequate or inadequate fat stores, emaciated, etc)
Mucous membranes
Body orifices
General conformation
Superficial lesions (tumors, dermatitis, etc.)
Hair coat
Parasites
Lips, gums, cheeks, teeth

Opening the Body Cavities

1. Place animal carcass in lateral recumbency and incise skin at axilla
Continue the ventral midline skin incision anteriorly to the symphysis of the mandible and
posteriorly to the perineum.
Do not damage the udder
To avoid cutting hair, incise the skin from the subcutaneous side
2. Raise the front leg and scapula and dissect and reflect dorsally
Remove the remaining skin between the excised front and rear limb to the level of the
spinal column and reflect dorsally.
Examine the exposed superficial lymph nodes and jugular veins
3. Excise through the up rear limb (at the level of the pelvis) and continue to incise through the
coxofemoral joint and reflect the rear limb dorsally
4. Examination of the mammary glands or testes
Mammary glands and mammary lymph nodes are completely cut away from the body
Examine for symmetry, swellings, tumors, atrophy
Examine the lymph nodes and incise them
Incise the gland through the cistern and teat canal, examining each portion
Palpate for thickenings, fibrosis, tumors
5. Examine prepuce and penis

11

6. Make a paracostal incision through the abdominal wall just behind and parallel to the last rib
Extend the incision dorsally to the vertebrae and ventrally to the midline
Raise the body wall to avoid cutting viscera
7. Make a paralumbar incision through the abdominal wall caudally to the pelvis
Reflect the muscle wall ventrally and expose the abdominal cavity
8. Cut the diaphragm on the right side in an arc from the sternum along its costal attachments to
the vertebral column
Listen for an in rush of air indicative of negative pressure in the pleural cavity
9. Sever the ribs at their sternal and vertebral ends with a pruning shear or other suitable instrument
and lift off the thoracic wall, thus exposing the entire thoracic cavity

Gross Examination of the Thoracic and Abdominal Cavities

1. Examine both cavities and all contents carefully with minimal movement of the viscera
Note transudates, exudates, and hemorrhage
o Open the pericardial sac
o Note amount, color, and consistency of abnormal fluid accumulations
Examine for adhesions, displacements, absence of organs, and size and symmetry of
organs in situ
Record lesions of organs and perform detailed examination of organs prior to removal
Take initial samples for microbiology, especially exudates in body cavities

Examination of the Thoracic Viscera

1. Separate the mandibles at the symphysis
Cut along the lingual surface of both sides of the mandible
Remove the tongue and pull it down between the rami
Disarticulate the hyoid bones. The tongue, larynx, trachea and esophagus are
dissected ventrally back to the thoracic inlet
Lift up viscera and detach heart and lungs from the body wall by cutting dorsal and
ventral mediastinum
Sever the aorta post cava and esophagus back to about 2-3 cm anterior to the
diaphragm
Sever and remove the thoracic viscera (pluck)
2. Examine thyroid, parathyroid, and thymus glands
Note size, shape, consistency
Incise glands examining for lesions
3. Arrange the organs in approximately normal position
Examine tongue by incising transversely
Open esophagus and examine carefully
Examine bronchial lymph nodes by palpating and incising
Observe and palpate lungs for consolidation, emphysema or other abnormal consistency
Open the larynx, trachea, bronchi and small bronchioles
o Note exudates, hemorrhage, foreign bodies or lung worms in bronchial tree
o Examine areas of consolidation and other abnormal lung tissue by incising
4. Examine the heart
Observe any disproportion of parts (dilation, hypertrophy, anomalies) and alterations in
shape; note presence of normal adipose tissue
Open Heart
o Cut through the right atrial free wall (including the auricle) horizontally
o Examine the endocardium and vena cava
o Examine the atrial side of the right A-V valve

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o Check for sufficiency of valve if indicated

Cut through the right A-V valve and wall of the right ventricle, keeping the incision near
the interventricular septum
o Continue the incision around the right ventricle through the pulmonic valve
and pulmonary artery
o Examine for patent ductus arteriosis
Open the left atrium and examine in the same manner as the right atrium
o Cut through the left A-V valve, incising the ventricle through the mid-portion
of the free wall
o Continue the incision to the apex
o Make a horizontal incision in the ventricle approximately mid-way between
the coronary groove and the apex, incising from the first cut to the septum
o At the septum, cut upward through the aortic valve and aorta
o This process should result in a small flap of left heart with aortic valve on one
side and left A-V valve on the other
Examine vessels, valves and septa for anomalies
Examine endocardium and myocardium

Examination of Abdominal Viscera

1. Remove the spleen; examine grossly and incise several times
2. Examine the pancreas grossly
3. Make a small incision into the duodenum at the level of the pancreatic duct and apply manual
pressure to the gall bladder to see if bile enters the intestine
4. Remove and examine the liver
Examine the peritoneal surface for fibrosis or adhesions
Excise the liver from the diaphragm
Note the size, shape, weight, color and consistency
Open the gall bladder and the larger bile ducts
o Examine for stones, inflammation, flukes, thickening of the wall
Palpate and incise the liver liberally from the abdominal surface; observe for necrosis,
fibrosis, abscesses, etc.
5. Examine the adrenal glands (prior to removing the kidneys)
Cut adrenals in cross-section and note cortical-medullary ratio
6. Remove urinary organs as a unit, including both kidneys, ureters and urinary bladder
Cut each kidney longitudinally in half from the convex surface to the hilus and note
alterations in color, consistency, size, etc.
Strip off capsule and examine the kidney surface
o Note the ease with which the capsule comes off
Open and inspect the ureters, bladder and urethra
o Inspect all mucous and serous surfaces
Open vagina, cervix and uterine horns along their dorsal borders and examine carefully
all surfaces
Examine ovaries for cysts, corpora lutea, atrophy, etc.
Examine male accessory sex organs; observe size, consistency, inflammation, etc.
7. Remove the stomach and intestines to the rectum
Place the rectum over the lumbar area when it is cut so that the abdomen will not be
contaminated
Free the intestine from the mesentery as it is removed and observe its lymph nodes

13

Examination of the Gastrointestinal Tract

1. The esophagus has been opened
2. Open the stomach along the greater curvature
Observe the mucosal and serosal surfaces; ingesta must be removed
Examine for hemorrhage, parasites, foreign bodies, abnormal ingesta, etc.
3. Open the small intestine
Observe all surfaces and ingesta
Leave 1-inch segments closed for histopathology
4. Open the cecum and colon back to the anus, and examine carefully
Note: If the musculoskeletal system, central nervous system and eyes are not of particular
interest in the patient, dissection of these is not required.

Examination of the Musculoskeletal System

1. Open the stifle, hock and humero-scapular joints
To open the stifle, cut the straight patellar ligament 1/3 of the way proximal to the tibial
tuberosity and medial to the trochlea of the femur, and reflect the patella
Observe synovia, articular surfaces, articular cartilages, and synovial membranes
2. Examination of the muscular system
Examine and incise the muscles of various parts of the body, especially lumbar and thigh
muscles; check development, color, etc.
3. Examination of the skeletal system
Examine body for broken bones or healed fractures
For marrow inspection, remove femoral head with shears and crack femur longitudinally

Examination of the Eyes

1. Remove the eyeball from the orbit if indicated (not routine)
Incise periorbital tissues and avoid direct contact with the eye
Look for corneal opacities, cataracts, tumors, etc.

Examination of the Central Nervous System

1. Remove the head from the body at the atlanto-occipital articulation
Incise the spinal cord before excessive traction is placed on the skull
2. Reflect skin and muscles of the head and examine skull for traumatic lesions
3. Remove the brain as described below
Make a transverse cut behind the orbits (exact location varies in species) using a
hacksaw
Make lateral cuts from the ends of the transverse cuts just medial to the occipital
condyles (leave room for brain to be removed intact)
List off bony cap carefully with a chisel
Incise the dura over the dorsal brain surface and incise the tentorium cerebelli
Hold the skull with the nsoe pointing upward and tap it gently on the table
o Carefully cut the olfactory tracts and other cranial nerves and allow the brain to
slip out
o Avoid traction on the brain

14

Remove the pituitary gland by cutting diaphragmatic sella on both sides, clipping the
bony projection posterior to the gland, and cutting soft tissues around the gland with
scissors
4. Observe the dura
5. Incise the brain transversely (1-cm slices) and look for lesions
When entire brain is to be fixed, make only one transverse cut into lateral ventricles so
fixative may enter tissues

Species-Specific Procedures
1. Horse
When the abdomen is opened, move the left parts of the large colon cranially so that the
pelvic flexure is lying anterior; move the cecum dorsocranially, the small intestine over
the right flank, and the small colon posterior and down
The mucosa of the guttural pouches is examined when the head is disarticulated
The cranial mesenteric artery should be opened from the aorta past the ilealcecal and
colic artery bifurcations
2. Ruminants
When the abdomen is opened, place small intestine and colon over the right lumbar area;
examine the forestomachs and abomasums for position and adhesions
Remove forestomachs and abomasums as a unit; separate serosal attachments to
stretch the organs out. Open and examine each organ. Remove ingesta and rinse the
rumen mucosa with water to examine.

15

Guidelines for Packing and Shipping of Samples

1. Label all sample containers with the following information, using indelible ink:
Client name
Animal name
Case number (if used)
Date of collection
Site of collection (e.g. liver, right kidney)
2. Ship in plastic containers whenever possible
3. Be sure that lids are tight on containers that contain liquid. The ratio of formalin to soft tissue
should be 10:1. If the sample is bone, the ratio should be 20:1.
4. Containers with liquid should be placed into zippered plastic bags separate from submission
forms to prevent forms from becoming damaged and unreadable in case of leaks.
5. Complete submission forms, including all requested information
6. Include address, phone number and FAX number for your clinic to facilitate return of results
7. Pack container and submission form in box for mailing, allowing room for packing materials
such as foam peanuts, bubble plastic, or newspaper as appropriate
8. Check with lab to determine if sample must be received at room temperature, cool, or frozen
and include coolant source if needed

16

CLINICAL MENTORSHIP TASKS

INTRODUCTION TO ESSENTIAL TASKS AND CRITERIA

Before starting each task:

1. Read the Goal, Description, Criteria, and Materials to be submitted for Evaluation and
Verification. Understand what is expected of you for each task.
2. Make sure you have whatever equipment you need to document the task. Pay
particularly close attention to the details of what needs to be documented.
3. Make sure you obtain appropriate permissions where necessary. Please keep the
facilitys owner/manager aware of your activities. A continued good relationship with
the veterinarian in charge is key to having a positive Clinical Mentorship experience.
4. Label documentation so it is easy to find all components of the materials you submit
for evaluation and validation at Purdue.
5. Once everything is completed, package all the paper, video, photographic or other
required documentation and send it to the VTDLP at the address provided in the
Completion of Clinical Mentorship section above.

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CLINICAL MENTORSHIP PROJECTS

INTRODUCTION TO SPECIAL PROJECTS
Certain mentorships will have required projects to complete in addition to the required tasks. These are
things that are better assessed in the form of a project. Projects should be typed, and checked for correct
grammar and spelling.
Before starting each project
1. Read through the project in its entirety. This will give you a description of the project and what
is needed to complete it successfully.
2. Determine what materials, if any, need to be submitted for completion of the project.
3. Most projects will come with a list of questions that need to be answered. The responses
should be placed inside the notebook for submission with other materials.
4. If videotaping is required for a project, it should be noted on the videotape verbally that this is
for the project and not another required task. Some projects may require a verbal narration of
a student doing something. Each individual project will define if that is a necessary
requirement for that project.

Note: Videotaping and photographs are not for the purpose of verifying if the practice is within
OSHA compliance or other government regulations. These projects are for the students
education. It may be determined by the student that the practice is not within the current
recommendations. The purpose of these projects is to make the student aware of these issues,
and how to recognize the issues and develop suggestions for improvement.
There will be certain mentorships where OSHA recommendations, in regards to equipment and
policies, will be facility requirements for the mentorship.

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ASSIST IN PROSECTION OF NON-PRESERVED ANIMAL

Goal:

To assist a DVM in performing basic prosection techniques on a non-preserved animal

for purposes of necropsy and sample collection.

Description:

The student will assist a DVM in performing basic prosection techniques on a nonpreserved animal, identifying internal structures as they are exposed.

Criteria:

The student checked and recorded signalment for the patient.

The student reviewed the patient history and clinical diagnosis.
The student reviewed laboratory data submitted with the animal.
The student examined and recorded the patients external appearance, including:
Body condition
Mucous membranes
Body orifices
General conformation
Superficial lesions (tumors, dermatitis, etc.)
Hair coat
Parasites
Lips, gums, cheeks and teeth
*Note: External examination should be done with the DVM present, or the DVM should
examine the animal before proceeding.
The student placed the animal in left lateral or dorsal recumbency.
The student correctly identified the following structures during the prosection:
Note: If the listed structures are too small to identify, or absent, the student should state
such verbally and point out the location where the structure would normally be found.

Exposed superficial lymph nodes (mandibular, popliteal, superficial

cervical)
Jugular veins
Mammary glands or testes
Prepuce and penis (male animal)
Diaphragm
Pericardial sac
Mandible
Tongue
Larynx
Tonsils
Esophagus
Trachea
Bronchi
Lungs
Pulmonary vessels
Heart
Aorta
Vena cava
Omentum
Spleen

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Pancreas
Liver
Gall bladder
Kidneys
Adrenal gland
Ureters
Urinary bladder
Stomach
Pyloric region
Duodenum
Jejunum
Ileum
Cecum
Colon
Rectum
Mesentery

The student collected initial samples for microbiology as directed by the DVM.
The student accurately documented all observations made by the DVM.

Number of Times Task Needs to be Successfully Performed:

Materials Submitted for Evaluation and Verification:

1. Task Verification form for the Assisting in Prosection on a Non-Preserved Animal
task, signed by the clinical mentorship supervisor.
2. One video showing the student assisting with a prosection procedure. The video will
clearly show all criteria for the task, and the student will narrate the procedure,
including identification of all required structures. The camera should be zoomed in as
needed to show each structure clearly.
3. Copy of written documentation of findings by student and DVM during the prosection.

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Task Verification Form for Assisting in Prosection of Non-Preserved Animal

Student Name: ___________________________________________________________

Supervisor Name: __________________________________________________

RVT, CVT, LVT

DVM, VMD

Date: ______________________________
Patient: _____________________________________________

The student checked and recorded signalment for the patient

The student reviewed the patient history and clinical diagnosis
The student reviewed laboratory data submitted
The student examined and recorded the patients external appearance, including:

Body condition
Mucous membranes
Body orifices
General conformation
Superficial lesions (tumors, dermatitis, etc.)
Hair coat
Parasites
Lips, gums, cheeks and teeth

The student placed the animal in left lateral or dorsal recumbency

The student correctly identified the following structures during the prosection:
o Exposed superficial lymph nodes (mandibular, popliteal, superficial
cervical)
o Jugular veins
o Mammary glands or testes
o Prepuce and penis (male animal)
o Diaphragm
o Pericardial sac
o Mandible
o Tongue
o Larynx
o Tonsils
o Esophagus
o Trachea
o Bronchi
o Lungs
o Pulmonary vessels
o Heart
o Aorta
o Vena cava
o Omentum
o Spleen

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o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o

Pancreas
Liver
Gall bladder
Kidneys
Adrenal gland
Ureters
Urinary bladder
Stomach
Pyloric region
Duodenum
Jejunum
Ileum
Cecum
Colon
Rectum
Mesentery

The student collected initial samples for microbiology as directed by the DVM
The student accurately documented all observations made by the DVM and submitted a
written report.

Signature of the Clinical Mentorship Supervisor ________________________________________

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COLLECTION, PRESERVATION AND SHIPPING OF SAMPLES

Goal:

To collect, preserve, and ship samples collected during a necropsy procedure.

Description:

The student will collect samples of liver, kidney and intestine during a necropsy
procedure, and properly preserve and ship the samples for histopathologic evaluation
according to laboratory and practice protocols.

Criteria:

The student examined the liver grossly and collected samples of lesions and adjacent
normal tissue, cm thick and 1 cm x 1 cm square. If the liver was grossly normal, the
student collected a representative sample (1/2 x 1 x 1 cm)
The student examined the kidneys grossly and collected samples of lesions and adjacent
normal tissue in longitudinal wedge sections cm thick. If the kidneys were grossly
normal, the student collected a representative sample (1/2 cm longitudinal wedge).
The student examined the intestines grossly and collected samples of lesions and
adjacent normal tissue in cm cross-sections. Care was taken not to touch the mucosal
surface, and the sample was rinsed gently under water to remove ingesta and feedstuffs.
If the intestine was grossly normal, the student collected a representative sample (1/2 cm
cross-section).
The student placed the tissue samples into separate formalin jars, one jar per site/organ.
The kidney samples were separated by left or right kidney.
The student labeled each formalin jar with the following information:
Client name
Animal name
Case number (if used)
Date of collection
Site of collection (e.g., liver, right kidney)
The student completed submission forms for samples collected.
The student properly packaged the samples for shipping.

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Number of Times Task Needs to be Successfully Performed:

Materials Submitted for Evaluation and Verification:

1. Task Verification form for the Collection, Preservation and Shipping of Samples task,
signed by the clinical mentorship supervisor.
2. One video showing the student collecting samples and properly preserving and
packaging them. The video will clearly show all criteria for the task, including labels
on jars.
3. Copy of submission form completed by the student to be sent with samples to a
laboratory (even if samples will not actually be sent to the lab).

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Task Verification Form for Collection, Preservation and Shipping of Samples

Student Name: ___________________________________________________________

Supervisor Name: __________________________________________________

RVT, CVT, LVT

DVM, VMD

Date: ___________________________________________
Patient: _____________________________________

The student examined the liver grossly and collected samples of lesions and adjacent normal
tissue, cm thick and 1 cm x 1 cm square. If the liver was grossly normal, the student collected a
representative sample (1/2 x 1 x 1 cm).
The student examined the kidneys grossly and collected samples of lesions and adjacent normal
tissue in longitudinal wedge sections cm thick. If the kidneys were grossly normal, the student
collected a representative sample (1/2 cm longitudinal wedge).
The student examined the intestines grossly and collected samples of lesions and adjacent
normal tissue in cm cross-sections. Care was taken not to touch the mucosal surface, and the
sample was rinsed gently under water to remove ingesta and feedstuffs. If the intestine was
grossly normal, the student collected a representative sample (1/2 cm cross-section).
The student placed the tissue samples into separate formalin jars, one jar per site/organ. The
kidney samples were separated by left and right kidney.
The student labeled each formalin jar with the following:

Client name
Animal name
Case number (if used)
Date of collection
Site of collection (e.g., liver, right kidney)

The student completed submission forms for samples collected and submitted a copy.
The student properly packaged the samples for shipping.

Signature of the Clinical Mentorship Supervisor ______________________________________

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SAFE HANDLING OF RABIES SUSPECT BODIES AND SAMPLES PROJECT

The student will provide a written paper detailing the clinic SOP for handling of rabies suspect bodies.
The first section will be for a patient that needs to be tested for rabies only. The second section will be for
a patient that needs a necropsy performed but is a rabies suspect. There will also be a section on human
exposure to rabies. The paper will be typed and checked for spelling and grammar.
Section 1 Testing Animal for Rabies Only
Address the following:
1. Describe your clinic SOP for a stray dog of unknown history brought to your clinic for euthanasia
after biting a human. Include how clinic personnel protect themselves from possible exposure to
rabies.
2. Describe how the dog is submitted for rabies testing, including how the brain is collected,
preserved and submitted. Include PPE used by staff.
3. Evaluate the above protocol and describe changes that you would make in the protocol, and why.

Section 2 Necropsy on Rabies Suspect

Address the following:
1. Describe your clinic SOP for a dog that was a patient in your clinic, was a rabies suspect but had
not bitten anyone, and died in your clinic. The cause of death is unknown and the owner requests
a necropsy. Include how clinic personnel protect themselves from possible exposure to rabies.
2. Describe how the dog is submitted for rabies testing, as well as how the necropsy is
accomplished safely.
3. Evaluate the above protocol and describe changes that you would make in the protocol, and why.

Section 3 Human Exposure to Rabies

Discuss what action should be taken if a patient that was treated at your hospital tests positive for rabies.
What should a human healthcare provider recommend for the staff who handled the patient? For more
information, visit the website for the Center for Disease Control at http://www.cdc.gov/ and look for rabies
under Health Topics A-Z.

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STORAGE AND DISPOAL OF DECEASED ANIMALS PROJECT

The student will provide a written paper detailing the clinic SOP for storage and handling of deceased
animals. The paper will be typed and checked for grammar and spelling. The following should be
addressed:
1. Describe storage of deceased animals that are for disposal only, not to be necropsied. Include
storage containers used and where the storage area is located. Discuss labeling methods.
2. Describe storage of deceased animals that require necropsy. Include storage containers used
and where the storage area is located. Discuss labeling methods.
3. Describe disposition options available to an owner whose pet has died (cremation, burial, return
body to owner, etc.) Include storage and labeling methods during the holding period until
disposition occurs.
4. Describe the clinic SOP for disposal of deceased animals that do not have owners or whose
owners do not have a preference for how the body is disposed. Include storage and labeling
methods during the holding period until disposition occurs.
5. Evaluate the clinics protocol for the handling of deceased animals. Describe changes that you
would make in the protocol and why.

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