SOP/Protocol for SOP/Protocol for Poultry Necropsy Poultry Necropsy

BasicsBasics

Dr.Kedar KarkiDr.Kedar Karki

BACKGROUNDBACKGROUND• The necropsy (post-mortem dissection) of

poultry is a procedure that can be utilized to find reasons for the bird's death.

• Using a knife or scissors, a person can perform a basic necropsy to obtain diagnostic information, samples for further laboratory testing, or to ensure quality control of a flock.

• A rise in mortality (death rates) or a rise in morbidity (number of ill birds), the necropsy can provide you with more information about the disease, perhaps even a diagnosis.

Poultry Disease DiagnosisPoultry Disease Diagnosis

• The proper diagnosis of poultry diseases depends on three important factors:

1.Identification of vital organs and body structure.

2.Knowledge of disease symptoms and lesions.

3A systematic plan for examining the bird's body.

Flock HistoryFlock History

• Poultry diseases must be considered as diseases of the flock rather than individual diseases. Symptoms in a few individual birds are usually an indication of a more serious flock-wide problem. It is important that an accurate flock history be recorded. The source of many diseases can be determined from an accurate flock history.

• A complete flock history includes the following:• name and address of the owner • number of birds in the flock • breed, strain, and age of the birds.

Management information Management information consists of the followingconsists of the following

• hatchery source • type of operation • feeding program • a complete vaccination history.

Information on the illness Information on the illness includes the following:includes the following:

• the date the illness was first observed

• severity and number of birds affected • number of birds dying • medication history.

External ExaminationExternal Examination

• Before examining the bird internally, observe and inspect the bird for external symptoms. Note the general condition and fleshing (presence of meat on the bone) of the bird. Check the condition of the skin, and all natural body openings (nasal openings, mouth, ears, and vent). Examine the head, eyes, comb, and wattles for evidence of swelling, canker lesions, unusual discharge or coloration.

External ExaminationExternal Examination

• Look for signs of lameness, paralysis, or general weakness. Inspect the affected areas for abnormalities or swelling that can give a clue to the cause. If you observe a partial or complete paralysis, note the position the bird assumes. It is often an indicator of the cause of illness. Inspect the bird for external parasites such as mites, lice, ticks, and fleas.

Basic Necropsy NeedsBasic Necropsy Needs

• A flat hard surface in a well-lighted area.

• Access to water and towels. • Knife or scissors. • Consider gloves and a face mask if

you suspect a potentially zoonotic disease (transmissible to humans) as the cause of illness or death.

Performing a NecropsyPerforming a Necropsy

• Wet down the feathers with a disinfectant solution to limit the distribution of feathers during the dissection.

• Place the bird on its back with its feet towards you.

• Grasp both legs and push down and away from the pelvis to loosen the joints.

• Tent the skin over the abdomen and • cut with scissors or knife.

Performing a NecropsyPerforming a Necropsy• Remove the skin overlying the abdomen and

breast (from neck to cloaca). • Examine the breast muscle for decreased

muscle mass, paleness (anemia), or bruising. • Incise the abdominal muscle and cut through

the ribs on the sides of the keel bone. Remove the skin overlying the abdomen and breast (from neck to cloaca).

• Examine the breast muscle for decreased muscle mass, paleness (anemia),

or bruising.

Performing a NecropsyPerforming a Necropsy• Examine the air sacs for increased thickness and

increased cloudiness. The normal air sac surfaces look like soap bubbles or clear cellophane wrap.

• Cut the gastrointestinal (GI) tract between the esophagus and proventriculus.

• Remove the proventriculus, ventriculus (gizzard), small intestines, large intestine, ceca, and cut off at the level of the cloaca. The pancreas will also be removed. It is the pinkish tan organ cradled within the loop of duodenum (a section of the small intestine).

• Cut all attachments close to the intestines and set the GI tract aside. At the end of the necropsy, these organs can be opened up and examined for internal parasites.

Performing a NecropsyPerforming a Necropsy• Next, remove the liver and spleen. A green

discoloration of the liver near the gall bladder is a normal finding. The spleen is the reddish, round organ located at the junction of the proventriculus and gizzard.

• Now you can observe the organs located near the backbone of the carcass.

• Examine the kidneys, which are elongated, lobulated organs that are embedded in the backbone of the bird, and the left ovary/oviduct (or paired testes), which are positioned on top of the kidneys.

Performing a NecropsyPerforming a Necropsy• The lungs, which are attached to the ribs, can be

gently teased out of the ribcage for further examination.

• The outer surface of the heart should be examined for a cloudy, thickened appearance, suggesting pericarditis. Also, note if excessive fluid is located between the heart and the pericardium (membranous covering of the heart).

• Next, turn the bird around to face you and cut through the corner of the beak.

• Extend the cut through the throat and down towards the heart.

Performing a NecropsyPerforming a Necropsy• Examine the interior surface of the

esophagus and crop. Look for the presence of food and/or parasites (worms) in the crop. If the inside surface appears to resemble a towel, it may be an indication of a fungal infection called "crop mycosis."

• Next, cut through the larynx, trachea, and syrinx. The inside surface should be free of excess mucus.

• Turn the bird back to the previous positioning feet in front of you.

Performing a NecropsyPerforming a Necropsy• The sciatic nerve located on the interior upper thigh

(located under muscle) should be exposed on both legs. The nerves should be the same size bilaterally with no swellings. Enlargement of this nerve can be an indication of Marek's disease.

• With a sharp knife, cut through the stifle and hock joints, looking for yellow or white pus-like material, blood, or excess fluid. Joints should appear shiny and white with just a small amount of clear, sticky fluid inside.

• To find the bursa of Fabricius, cut through the cloaca and look for a grape-like structure towards the rear of the bird. The older the birdthe smaller the bursa. The bursa diminishes in size as the bird reaches sexual maturity

Performing a NecropsyPerforming a Necropsy• Cut the bursa in half. It should have

wrinkles running parallel to each other on the surface and be cream colored in appearance. Note any discoloration or swelling.

• Now return to the GI tract and starting with the proventriculus, cut lengthwise. The inside wall is bumpy and this is normal as these are digestive glands.

Performing a NecropsyPerforming a Necropsy• Cut through the ventriculus,

intestines, and ceca. Note the appearance of the inside walls (mucosa) and the presence of parasites (worms), blood, and/or a thickened or discolored surfaces.

• Dispose of the carcass properly and disinfect surfaces

• and tools.

A = spleen. B = proventriculus.

C = ventriculus. D = duodenum. E = pancreas.F = jejunum.

Flock History Owner_____________________________________________________

_________________________________Address______________________________________________

Phone No.____________________________Number in Flock___________________

Breed___________________ Age____________________________Hatchery

Source____________________________________________________________________________

Type of operation (floor, cage, range, etc.)_______________________________________________________

___Feeding

program______________________________________________________________________

Vaccination History___________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________Date Illness First

Seen__________________________________________________________________________

No. Affected by Illness_____________________ No. Dead____________________________________________

Medication__________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Symptoms and Remarks_________________________________________________

_______________________

External Examination Condition of

Bird__________________________________________________________________________

Comb and Wattles___________________________________________________

________________________Eyes, Ears,

Mouth__________________________________________________________________________

Vent Opening__________________________________________________

_____________________________External

Parasites_________________________________________________________________________

Necropsy Results Female____________________Male_____________________

HeadEyes_______________________________ Nasal

Cavities_________________________________________Mouth_______________________________________________

_______________________________________Respiratory and Circulatory Systems

Larynx and Trachea (Windpipe)__________________________________________

____________________Lungs and Bronchial

Tubes__________________________________________________________________

Air Sacs________________________________________________

___________________________________

Heart______________________________________________________________________________________

Digestive System and Accessory OrgansGullet

(Esophagus)____________________________________________________________________________

Crop_______________________________________________________________________________________

Proventriculus and Gizzard____________________________________________

________________________Small

Intestine________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Ceca_______________________________________________________________________________________

Cloaca_____________________________________________________________________________________

Liver______________________________________________________________________________________

Spleen_____________________________________________________________________________________Excretory and Reproductive Systems

Kidneys and Ureters___________________________________________

_____________________________Ovary and

Oviduct__________________________________________________________________________

Testes and Ductus Deferens_________________________________________

__________________________

MusclesBreast_______________________________________________

_______________________________________Legs____________________________________________

___________________________________________Nervous System

Brachial Nerve___________________________________________

____________________________________Sciatic

Nerve________________________________________________________________________________

Diagnosis________________________________________________

___________________________________________Treatment