Necropsy/Tissue - General Exam
The University of Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory performs over 16,000 necropsies - or animal autopsies - on all different types of species every year.
Services and Fees
Effective January 12, 2016
Note: A $10.00 accession fee will be applied to all cases. An additional 10% out of state surcharge may also be applied where animals or owners are from outside the state of Minnesota. All fees are in US $.
See our "General Submission Guidelines" for more information on how to submit each type of animal.
Necropsies are performed Monday-Friday, except certain holidays when VDL is closed. Turnaround time is 7-14 working days for production animals; 7-21 working days for companion animals, horses and camelids; 1- 8 weeks for zoo and wildlife. However, depending on complexity of case and types of ancillary diagnostics, case turnaround time may be extended.
Depending on the necropsy case findings, the necropsy fee may include gross examination, histopathology, bacteriology, electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry, molecular diagnostics, and virology. If additional tests are requested by the owner or rDVM, these tests will incur additional charges, at the discretion of the pathologist. If only certain tests are requested, the submission form should clearly state the request. If the clinical syndrome is similar to a reportable disease, we are obligated to test for the agent(s) of concern.
Legal Cases will be double the listed Necropsy fee at a minimum. Additional charges may apply.
| Type of Animal | Fee (per animal) |
| Companion Animals (feline, canine) | 150.00 + $10 accession fee |
| Horses, Camelids (i.e Llamas, Alpacas etc) | 150.00 + $10 accession fee |
| Fish | 60.00 for up to 4 fish 10.00 each additional fish (no accession fee) |
| Poultry | 75.25 for up to 10 birds 6.25 each additional bird (no accession fee) |
| Ruminants (cattle, sheep, goats) | 85.00 + $10 accession fee |
| Swine | 95.00 + $10 accession fee |
| Wildlife, Pet Birds, Pet Reptiles, etc. | 85.00 + $10 accession fee |
| Zoo Animals | 85.00 + $10 accession fee |
| Research Samples | charge per test |
Biological Waste Disposal Only 0.25 per pound