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:
- Legal Forensic Exam – While we will accept and perform “legal” cases, please be aware that our pathologists are not specialized in forensic pathology. Should a detailed forensic examination be required, other regional services such as The University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine should be considered. The University of Florida can help decide if a forensic necropsy is needed and can also perform the necropsy. For more information, please visit their website or call (352) 294-4726.
- 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
- Routine necropsies range from $80-150, depending on many factors including the size and type of animal.
- Ancillary testing and disposal charges may be an additional cost.
- Insurance or potential legal cases may incur a $200 add-on insurance/legal fee to the routine necropsy base fee
- Rabies testing only (no necropsy) is available for $50 (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 30 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
