Post-mortem changes and the diagnostic value of necropsy

摘要

The diagnosis of disease improves when the degenerative changes that occur in soft tisues after death are understood. A discussion of postmortem autolysis and putrefaction clarifies their impact and may help practitioners decide whether they should perform animal autopsy (necropsy) themselves or submit carcasses to a laboratory. Practitioners' necropsies can focus on the obvious, providing an immediate diagnosis.