Post Mortem Examinations

Aborted foeti may be sent, with appropriate warning, together with their placenta membranes, sealed in secure plastic sacks, by courier to our laboratory for necropsy examinations. The elimination of Equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) infection is of particular importance. Alternatively, please send a detailed gross post mortem report in addition to suitable representative samples for bacteriological and histological examinations (liver, lung, kidney, spleen, thymus, adrenal gland and placenta). We have detailed protocols for the gross necropsy examination of aborted foeti and special request forms, with key questions, which we are pleased to send you on request. Mare owners who are members of the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association can obtain a financial contribution after submission of a copy of our report to the TBA office.

Fresh aborted foetal liver and lung tissue samples may be sent for specific viral culture or should be deep frozen and stored pending results of histological examinations. Please give full details where mares are, or have been, clinically ill with pyrexia, conjunctivitis, ventral oedema and/or skin rashes, prior to abortion. Specific culture techniques are required for EVA and therefore we need key information to help with this important differential diagnosis.

For adult horses we recommend that you contact the Animal Health Trust (01638 751000) where there are newly commissioned specialised necropsy facilities.