How to Send a Bird for a Necropsy - Pictures

[rpar003]

Just to add to the thread, MA does not have a state lab, or state vet who will perform these. The woman in the government told me that we hadnt for 25-30 years!

The vet I took my hen to (Wayland Animal Clinic) has an avian specialist, and they will do a necropsy for you for $90.

The state poultry woman also told me than UNH or UConn will do one for about $100.

 

[Tikkijane]

Any particular kind of ice pack? Had no idea home improvement places sold sheets of Styrofoam. I have never looked for that in particular, but I've never stumbled across it, either. I should own stock in those places, lol.

 

[Sydney Acres]

Just to add to the thread, MA does not have a state lab, or state vet who will perform these. The woman in the government told me that we hadnt for 25-30 years!

The vet I took my hen to (Wayland Animal Clinic) has an avian specialist, and they will do a necropsy for you for $90.

The state poultry woman also told me than UNH or UConn will do one for about $100.

You should be able to contact any of the out of state labs and find out about out of state necropsy fees. Some will be high, and others will be quite low, so it pays to make some phone calls. Start with the states that have large commercial chicken industries -- Georgia, Arkansas, California, etc. They have excellent poultry pathologist. You can contact the Vet Schools in those states, or you can google "avian diagnostic lab GA" for example to see what is available. Once you find one, ask for a FedEx or UPS shipping account number, because overnight shipping on ice can be very expensive to private individuals, but large businesses and universities have special accounts that are highly discounted. The labs usually just bill you for the shipping charge.

 

[Banjostorm]

Wanted to add for the CA folks, if you live close enough to one of these labs, you may take a live chicken there. It would be humanely euthanized prior to running tests. What they explained is that they can run a broader spectrum of tests this way and have a much clearer picture of what is affecting the bird.

 

[TattooedMama]

Wanted to add for the CA folks, if you live close enough to one of these labs, you may take a live chicken there. It would be humanely euthanized prior to running tests. What they explained is that they can run a broader spectrum of tests this way and have a much clearer picture of what is affecting the bird.

I have done this and it works well. No concern for trying to keep the carcass in prime condition for the necropsy. They take blood samples etc prior to euthanizing the bird. It also eliminates the need to cull a pet if you are very attached or find it difficult to do.

 

[casportpony]

All the labs are too far away from me or I sure would.

-Kathy

 

[TeaChick]

More US labs listed here:
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/nahln/downloads/all_nahln_lab_list.pdf

-Kathy

Thank you!
Very helpful!!!

 

[RunnerChick4]

Thank you so much for this post!!! It is important information that was not easy to find.

 

[casportpony]

State Vets

-Kathy

 

[Bejammie]

It says its $90 for a necropsy at clemson!!! Isnt that a bit high?!?