Diagnostic Pathology Center

1. If possible, place your pet into a leak proof bag and refrigerate. Freezing should be avoided if possible.
2. Call your veterinarian to start our paperwork process.

Owners should be aware that in some cases the necropsy will not reveal the cause of the patient’s clinical signs or demise.

Examination and testing of deceased animals provides animal owners and veterinarians with not only an understanding of the cause of death, but also identification of pathogens and/or management problems that may be of particular significance in herd-health and multi-pet households, and may potentially have implications in the health of humans sharing the same environment.

Reasons to necropsy an animal:

• Suspicious or unexpected death
• Legal or criminal investigations
• Confirmation of diagnosis
• Identification of disease
• Inform treatment of disease in a herd
• Limit future losses
• Contribute the veterinary medical knowledge
• Improve understanding of disease
• Assessment of treatment efficacy

• If circumstances prevent immediate transportation and refrigeration is unavailable, carcasses can be frozen. Frozen carcasses may take a long time to thaw and greatly increase turnaround time. Freezing also kills many bacteria, often preventing accurate bacterial culture, and creates serious tissue artifacts on histopathology.
• If there will be a significant delay between death and the postmortem examination (24 hours or more at room temperature) and the body cannot be maintained in the refrigerated state, freezing is better than the decomposition which will occur in an unrefrigerated body.

All bodies that are being dropped off at the DPC will need to be clearly labeled, and have a submission form completed by a veterinarian prior to drop off.

• Pet owners and veterinary staff are welcome to deliver the body directly to the Diagnostic Pathology Center.
• For animals under 150 lbs: If you are in the greater Phoenix area, we employ a courier service that will pick up the animal and deliver it to the Diagnostic Pathology Center. There is an additional charge for courier service.

Directions to the DPC

Currently the DPC does not have a body donation program. If a research project or academic need arises we will update this page.

Necropsy includes a full gross examination, histology, and a written postmortem report.

Typically final necropsy reports summarizing gross and histopathological findings are sent to the submitter in 4-6 weeks from the date of the examination. This timeframe can be delayed by several factors, including the need to thaw bodies that are submitted frozen, University holidays, and requests for additional testing. The turnaround time for biopsy reports is typically 3-5 business days from the date a sample is received. This timeframe may also be affected by the types of delays listed above.

Faculty veterinary pathologists will perform the necropsy with the assistance of residents, pathology assistants, and veterinary students.

• We encourage owners to discuss results with their veterinarian, who usually has familiarity with the animal and/or its management, environment, and herd situation.  Your veterinarian is better equipped to advise any management changes or treatment of remaining animals.
• Our veterinary pathologists are available to discuss results with referring veterinarians at any time.

The DPC exclusively works with Lasting Paws cremation services. Owners will be able to choose their memorial products and services through Lasting Paws Eternal Memories Track.

We will not release the body to the owners, clinic, or another cremation agency.