Necropsy

Necropsy (animal autopsy or postmortem examination) services are available at each of the Alabama diagnostic laboratories. The laboratories do not perform euthanasia procedures. 

Animals should be submitted as soon as possible after death in order to obtain the most diagnostic information from the necropsy. To minimize decomposition, small animals can be placed in a cooler and packed in ice until the animal is delivered to the laboratory. 

Cosmetic necropsy and return of the body for burial are services only available for small companion animals and only at the Auburn laboratory. This is not a routine procedure and must be requested at the time of submission (refer to Policy for Returning Animals for Final Disposition).