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
Note: A $10.00 accession fee will be applied to all cases. An additional 10% out of state surcharge will 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. Tests that are outsourced to another lab will be charged at cost. If additional tests are requested by the owner or DVM, 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.
Effective July 1, 2019
| Type of Animal | Fee (per animal) |
| COMPANION | |
| Canine/Feline | 150.00 + $10 accession fee |
| Camelid | 200.00 + $10 accession fee |
| Equine | 300.00 + $10 accession fee |
|
Zoo/Exotic/Wildlife Non-mammals 0 - 20 pounds Mammals 0 - 20 pounds |
99.75 + $10 accession fee |
| PRODUCTION | |
|
Porcine (potbelly or other pet pigs, see Zoo/Exotic/Wildlife) Primary syndrome Each additional syndrome |
140.00 + $10 accession fee 50.00 |
| Poultry (up to 10 birds) | 85.00 + $10 accession fee |
| Ruminant |
85.00 + $10 accession fee |
| Aquatics - Basic (Gross, Bacteriology, Virology only) up to 4 fish |
60.00 + $10 accession fee |
| Aquatics - Comprehensive (Basic + Histology and PCR) up to 4 fish | 120.00 + $10 accession fee |
| Aquatics - Regulatory | 180.00 + $10 accession fee (up to 60 fish) |
| ALL SPECIES (except porcine) | |
| Fetal necropsy |
85.00 + $10 accession fee |
Special procedures: additional fees apply to procedures requiring extensive dissection and/or prolonged use of power-tools, (e.g. removal of the spinal cord, spinal column isolation, and ventral brain removal).
0-30 pounds: $30.00
30-150 pounds: $50.00
Over 150 pounds: $100.00
Outsource tests - not included in necropsy price
Research cases - pricing is ala carte
Legal/forensic/insurance cases - additional $150.00
Disposal - included in necropsy fee. Disposal-only submissions will not be accepted.
Whole body, individual cremation, animals over 300 pounds – Additional $275 handling fee
Cosmetic necropsies - will not be performed