Robert E. Porter Jr Necropsy of birds in a flock is a standard procedure for gauging overall flock health or accurately identifying the cause of a disease or underlying conditions that could affect production. Selection of birds for this purpose is very important and will affect the necropsy findings. The most obvious reason to conduct necropsies is to determine the cause of death in a flock with high mortality. Alternatively, when investigating respiratory, musculoskeletal or neurologic disease in a flock, one can select live birds with those signs and include birds that have died while showing those clinical signs. One should avoid selecting birds that are culled because of injury, poor feathering, undersized or other miscellaneous conditions because in most instances those birds will not provide information on the primary disease in the flock. Dead birds should be necropsied within 24 hours or less of death because of carcass decomposition at ambient temperature; however, the condition of the carcass may be prolonged if the birds die during cooler temperatures or are refrigerated at 35–38 °F (4 °C) shortly after death. This chapter will introduce the novice to the steps for opening a carcass and locating the various body systems. Although the necropsy follows a specific order, it is up to the prosector to develop an orderly, stepwise pattern of dissection so that a particular body system or organ is not missed in the process. A standard set of necropsy tools is shown in Figure 15.1. These tools should be used only for necropsy and the hardware should be disinfected and authoclaved on a regular basis. The prosector should work on a smooth, waterproof surface, preferably a stainless steel table, with adjacent sink and faucet that can be washed and disinfected before and after each use. Figure 15.1 The recommended tools for necropsy include water‐resistant marker or pen, sterile, sealable sample bags, scissors, forceps, necropsy knife, poultry shears, and bone rongeur. Figure 15.2 Examine the head (a) for swollen sinuses and exudate around the eyelids, nares or mouth. The feet (b) should be clean with symmetric digits and no plantar ulcers. Wing feathers (c) should be assessed for frayed feathers, ectoparasites, and exudate. The vent and adjacent feathers (d) should not have pecking injuries, blood or pasted feces. Figure 15.3 A detergent will wet down the feathers and make it easier to cut the skin and expose the body cavity. Do not use a bactericidal detergent, which could interfere with pathogen isolation. Avoid getting detergent into the eyes, mouth or nares of the carcass. Figure 15.4 The carcass is placed on its back with the neck and legs extended. Figure 15.5 Incise the skin between the keel bone/breast muscle and the femur (upper legs) on both sides by following the line shown in red. Figure 15.6 After the skin is incised, the thigh and leg muscles will be exposed. Figure 15.7 Fold the legs laterally (away from the body) to separate (dislocate) the coxofemoral (hip) joints. This will stabilize the carcass on the table and expose the femoral heads and the thigh muscles on the medial aspect of either leg. Figure 15.8 Tent the skin near the caudal edge (tip) of the keel bone and peel or cut that skin off the breast muscle, moving toward the neck. Note whether the breast muscle is normal sized or if there is decreased muscle mass. Note the presence or absence of subcutaneous fat. Figure 15.9 Continue to cut skin along the base of the neck up to the mandible or jaw. Figure 15.10 The cut along the neck will expose the trachea (T), esophagus (E), crop (C) and, in sexually immature birds (<20 weeks), the thymus (Th). Figure 15.11 Open the crop and note the contents. The crop (C) of a clinically healthy bird will usually contain feed and have a glistening pink surface (mucosa).
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Gamebird Necropsy Procedures
15.1 Equipment
15.2 Necropsy Procedure
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