Animal remains should be kept cool, but not frozen. Freezing creates artifacts which interfere with optimal gross and microscopic examination, and also causes considerable delays while the tissues are thawed. Refrigerate or store the animal on ice until it can be delivered to the laboratory. The MSU VDL facility is equipped with large coolers to hold animals pending necropsy.

In our effort to provide accurate and actionable test results, the MSU VDL will not accept necropsy submissions directly from pet or horse owners effective September 1, 2024. For companion animals, exotics, pocket pets, and horses, necropsies must be submitted by a veterinarian.

For livestock and other production animals, submission through a veterinarian is strongly encouraged, but not required.

The MSU VDL’s expert diagnosticians provide results to, and consult with, clinical veterinarians regarding submissions. Referring veterinarians are best positioned to interpret diagnostic results based on history, clinical examination, and veterinarian-client-patient relationship and use those results to provide guidance on herd health management, treatment of disease, medical therapies, and clinical care.

Necropsies will not be performed until we have received a submission form from the referring veterinarian, complete with history and VDL account number. For this reason, we encourage pet owners and veterinarians to contact us before delivering an animal to the Laboratory. Forms may be delivered at the same time as the animal or may be sent via fax or email prior to delivery or shortly afterward.

Pet and horse owners may drop off the animal at the Laboratory but the clinic, not the owner, will be billed for the necropsy. Owners must make necropsy payments to their veterinarian accordingly.

For animals dropped off without a submission form, a cremation fee will be charged by credit card at the time of drop off.

• Small animals (pets such as cats, dogs, exotics, pocket pets) will be held for five (5) days pending receipt of the necropsy submission form from the referring veterinarian.
• Horses will be held for two (2) days pending receipt of the necropsy submission form from the referring veterinarian.

If only a communal cremation is requested, the fee will be refunded upon receipt of the submission form to complete the necropsy. If the form is not received, the animal will be cremated with no necropsy performed and ashes will not be returned.

Owners may choose to have the MSU VDL provide a private cremation for their animal. If that option is selected, payment will be collected from the owner by the Laboratory. Ashes will be returned to the owner according to the private cremation agreement.

For safety reasons, animals will not be released to owners after they enter the lab. In the past, we have released small animals (under 200 pounds) to pet cemeteries or cremation services that agree to safe handling of remains after necropsies have been performed here at the Laboratory. In light of new and emerging pathogens (such as highly pathogenic avian influenza) and zoonotic diseases that pose risks to human health, we will no longer release bodies from the Laboratory after necropsies have been performed effective October 7, 2024.

The laboratory has a small crematorium which is used exclusively for private cremations. This allows the MSU VDL to offer private cremations for pets up to 200 lbs. In addition, the lab offers private memorial cremations for larger animals which can include the head, tail and hooves of the animal. Private cremation fees apply in addition to any other applicable fees. Cremated remains can be picked up at the laboratory or mailed to clients directly for an additional fee.

Communal cremation is available at a significantly lower cost than a private cremation and is included with a necropsy. In cases where no necropsy is requested, the fee for the communal cremation is based on species. These can be done for animals of any size. Cremated remains are not available following communal cremation.

For safety reasons, animals will not be released to owners after they enter the lab. In the past, we have released small animals (under 200 pounds) to pet cemeteries or cremation services that agree to safe handling of remains after necropsies have been performed here at the Laboratory. In light of new and emerging pathogens (such as highly pathogenic avian influenza) and zoonotic diseases that pose risks to human health, we will no longer release bodies from the Laboratory after necropsies have been performed effective October 7, 2024.

Veterinarians may wish to perform a necropsy in the field and submit specimens for histopathologic examination and/or additional bacteriology, virology, parasitology, nutrition, immunodiagnostic, or clinical pathology testing. These submissions are considered field necropsies.

A field necropsy is offered at a fixed price with the exception of toxicology charges or any referral testing. Choice of ancillary testing is generally made at the discretion of the pathologist reviewing the case based on the provided history, but requests for specific testing can also be made by the submitting veterinarian. Please note that if the cost of ancillary testing exceeds this fixed price, the pathologist, after discussion and confirmation with the client for approval, may order tests, as needed, which will be billed in addition to the fixed price.

When submitting a field necropsy:

• Describe the gross lesions. Indicate appropriate herd history on the submittal form, including number of total number of animals in the group, number of animals affected, etc.
• Clearly indicate and label all specimens (tissue, serum, blood, urine, feces, etc.) being included in the submission.
• Place tissue for histopathologic examination in a leakproof container containing 10% neutral buffered formalin. During winter months we recommend adding 10% Isopropyl alcohol to the formalin solution to prevent freezing.
• Tissues in formalin should be not more than 1-2 cm thick, and should be representative of lesions identified. Identify the tissues collected on the outside of the formalin container, as well as on the submission form. Tissues may be pooled in one container for histopathology.
• Tissues for bacteriology, virology, toxicology or other laboratory testing should be placed into individual clean leakproof containers, labeled, sealed, and mailed overnight on cold packs. Identify the tissues collected on the outside of the container, as well as on the submission form.
• Upon receipt, a pathologist will review the provided clinical history and determine which additional testing is deemed necessary based on this information.

Abortion necropsy includes gross examination of the fetus and placenta (note that the placenta is critical for a full abortion work-up) as well as microscopic examination of select tissues, depending on the case history. Testing is done following specific, species-based protocols. Testing performed outside these protocols will incur additional fees.

Gross reports are issued to WebView and by mail, fax, or email within three (3) business days of the necropsy. Final reports, which include histopathology and other ancillary laboratory results, are issued within 10 business days. Specialized testing which can include toxicology, nutrition, certain microbiology, and tests done through outside referral laboratories may take longer and results will be reported in an addendum.

The necropsy service accepts the following live animals between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday-Friday: cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, poultry, laboratory animals, and fish. All animals are humanely euthanized prior to examination. If a necropsy is not performed, there is an additional charge for this service.

We do not accept live horses, bison, dogs, cats, mink, emus, non-human primates or ferrets. These animals must be euthanized by a local veterinarian or brought to the MSU Veterinary Medical Center for euthanasia prior to delivery to the VDL. Euthanasia of horses must be scheduled with the MSU Veterinary Medical Center prior to arrival on campus.

Live animals are not accepted after hours.

After hours, laboratory personnel will intake large animals for necropsy (equine or farm animals greater than 200 lbs.) in cases of emergencies. Animals must be received at the laboratory before midnight. Please contact the necropsy after-hours service at 517.353.5275 for coordination. Necropsy personnel will meet the client at the laboratory, unload the animal, and place it in the cooler. Necropsies will typically be performed on these animals during normal hours the following business day. There is an after-hours fee for this service in addition to any applicable necropsy and/or cremation fees.

Small or companion animals should be held until the following morning for drop off. If after-hours drop-off is required, clients may bring the animal to the MSU Veterinary Medical Center. The animal will be delivered to the laboratory for necropsy and/or cremation on the following business day.

The laboratory does not accept animals for cremation outside of regular business hours. Live animals are not accepted after hours.

Spinal Cord Evaluation: In some instances where spinal cord disease is suspected, removal and examination of the spinal cord may be warranted. The spinal cord will be removed, examined for gross lesions, and several representative sections will be examined histologically. An additional charge will be added to the full necropsy charge in these instances.

Rabies Testing: All rabies testing is performed by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) laboratory at no charge to the client. The MSU VDL will submit samples to the MDHHS by courier during normal business hours.