While we don’t want to think about the death of our beloved pets, it’s good to think ahead about the option of doing a necropsy (animal autopsy).
Benefits of Necropsy
A necropsy allows us to learn more about the cause of death of our pet. This can help bring closure about why our pet died. If you have other pets, necropsy can help determine whether death was caused by an infectious disease that could be contagious, and may help guide treatments for your other pets. Necropsy can also help our veterinary team better understand the disease process, with the possibility that we can better help pets with similar health issues in the future.
In California, California Health and Food Safety (CAHFS) offers necropsies at the state lab for pet rabbits, chickens, pigeons, ducks, turkeys, other pet birds, chinchillas, ferrets, guinea pigs, hamsters, hedgehogs, mice, rats, and reptiles.
Necropsies with CAHFS include visual examination of tissues and organs (gross examination), microscopic examination of tissues (histopathology), as well as additional tests that the pathologist thinks would be useful for understanding the case. For birds, this may include viral testing for Avian Influenza (H5N1). For rabbits, this may include viral testing for Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV). Bacterial culture is often performed where infection is suspected, to identify whether and what kinds of bacteria are present, and a heavy metals testing panel is often included.
Submitting a Deceased Pet for Necropsy
In the SF Bay Area, the closest CAHFS location is on the UCDavis campus - it is adjacent to, but separate from, the veterinary medical teaching hospital.
If you plan to deliver a deceased animal to CAHFS at UCDavis for a necropsy, we recommend calling and asking to speak with receiving (530-752-8700), to let them know when you plan to arrive so they will be expecting you.
You can hand-deliver a deceased pet during business hours Monday-Friday 8am-5pm, or to their after-hours refrigerated drop-off location on-site. Alternatively, you can FedEx your pet’s body, using the discounted CAHFS account, however, there are detailed instructions to follow for shipping.
If your deceased pet is not able to be delivered to CAHFS within a few hours following death, please double-bag and refrigerate their body (or put in a cooler with icepacks), but do not freeze. Freezing will interfere with the necropsy.
You will need to complete a submission form, to be submitted with your pet’s body. You can also email it, so they have both a paper and emailed copy.
2025 prices:
$135 necropsy fee, plus $5 disposal fee (CA residents)
After-hours/weekend necropsies may be performed for an extra fee, please call
Unless special arrangements are made with CAHFS, your pet’s remains will not be returned to you. Their remains will be disposed of with other animals.