Necropsy/Tissue - General Exam

Necropsy Access Policy and Form

Internal Request Forms for CVM and VMC

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 $.

necropsy labSee 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.

Submission forms

Effective July 1, 2019

TYPE OF ANIMAL FEE (per animal)
Canine (Dog)/Feline (Cat) 150.00 + $10 accession fee
Camelid (Llama and Alpaca) 200.00 + $10 accession fee
Equine (Horse) 300.00 + $10 accession fee

Zoo/Exotic/Wildlife

              Non-mammals

0 - 20  pounds
21 - 100 pounds
over 100 pounds 

               Mammals

0 - 20  pounds
21 - 100 pounds
over 100 pounds

 



95.00 + $10 accession fee
110.00 + $10 accession fee
150.00 + $10 accession fee

 

99.75 + $10 accession fee
115.50 + $10 accession fee
157.50 + $10 accession fee

Porcine (Pig - 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 (Cattle, Goat, Sheep, Farmed Deer/Elk/Bison)
 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, vertebral 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