Referring veterinarians can request that a necropsy (animal autopsy) be performed. A completed necropsy request is needed from the referring vet before a necropsy can be performed. Primate necropsies are only accepted with pre-approval from a UTCVM pathologist.
Requesting a Necropsy:
- Necropsy request form
- Includes a full gross examination and in most cases a microscopic examination
- Faculty veterinary pathologists will perform the necropsy with the assistance of residents (veterinarians training to become pathologists) and veterinary students.
- Gross necropsy findings will be phoned in or emailed to the referring veterinarian within 48 hours of completion
- A complete and final necropsy report (including gross and microscopic findings) will be reported within 6 weeks.
- Referring veterinarians should call 865-974-5673 for fees or further information regarding necropsy submissions.
Prices and Fees
- The cost of routine necropsies depends on many factors, including the size and type of animal. Please contact our Anatomic Pathology Laboratory for pricing.
- Ancillary testing and disposal charges may be an additional cost.
- Rabies testing only (no necropsy) is available for $89 (disposal fee/cremation handling fee not included)
- In all cases, the referring veterinarian is charged for the necropsy and any associated fees
- It is the referring veterinarian’s responsibility to convey these charges to the owner.
Handling of Remains
- We do NOT return bodies to the owners or referring veterinarians
- The animal’s remains can be disposed of at the Veterinary​ Medical Center or returned to the owner via private cremation (not available for entire large animals >200 pounds).​
- Referring veterinarians are responsible for making arrangements with a private cremation service (Yeargan Pet burial, Resthaven, Tri-county pet services, etc.). The Veterinary Medical Center is not responsible for making arrangements of paying any fees incurred by the private cremation service.
- Cremation of Remains – Animal’s body will be disposed of after 10 days if Anatomic Pathology is not contacted 865-974-5673 with a cremation decision or if animal has not been picked up by cremation service.
Contact Information​
Telephone/Email
- Tel: 865-974-5673
- Fax: 865- 974-5640
- Email: cvmanatomicpath@utk.edu
Hours
- 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (EST)
- Monday – Friday
Shipping Address
- UTCVM Anatomic Pathology Laboratory
- Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences
- 2407 River Drive, Room A205
- Knoxville, TN 37996-4543
