NECROPSY PAGES
FOREWARD:
If
you have come to this page, you are probably doing so out of love and
concern for your pet and a love of this wonderful breed.
Owning and loving a pet is a wonderful experience. By
contributing to the breed once your pet has passed is a very, very
special way of helping the White Shepherd community and giving your pet
a chance to make an invaluable contribution.
| Breeders and White Shepherd enthusiasts and their beloved companions who have participated in the on-going Necropsy Project are located in the Necropsies Pages section of the website under Above and Beyond which can be accessed from the side bar on the website. To say that people who find the courage to participate in this project go above and beyond is truly an understatement. We honor them and their dogs. Here is the link to necropsy reports: http://www.wsgenetics.com/Above_and_Beyond.html |
From current and future generations of White Shepherds---Thank You!
LAZER AND KIMBER MEET WSGP MSU PATHOLOGIST, DR. JON PATTERSON
by Judy Huston
Jon Patterson, DVM, PhD, Dipl ACVP
Professor
163 Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health
4125 Beaumont Road
Lansing MI 48910-8107
A DECISION FOR OUR BOY, CALEB, AND OUR BREED
By Judi Wellins
v Read all the steps provided on the WSGP website
v Discuss your plans with
- Email: info@wsgenetics.com
v Discuss your wishes with your vet. Explain the importance of a comprehensive necropsy. Provide your vet with links to the Necropsy pages of the WSGP website
v Locate the nearest University that can perform the Necropsy. First check the list of Universities that WSGP already has accounts with. Necropsy Resources/Universities
SETTING UP IN ADVANCE WITH A UNIVERSITY
An autopsy done on animals is a Necropsy. It can be used to determine cause of death or the changes produced by disease. It is extremely valuable because it provides an opportunity to examine everything, both inside and out. The body is visually and manually examined and organs and sections of tissue can be sent to be examined in detail by a pathologist.
When we lose a cherished pet, a Necropsy is not something most of us want to think about while we are grieving, but is a way to contribute to the White Shepherd breed by giving knowledge that will help in future breeding practices. It will also give us an understanding of what was going on with our pets.
Organs and tissue distracted during a Necropsy are considered bio-hazard and will be disposed of in an appropriate manner by the facility performing the necropsy. Your pet’s remains must be cremated.
In a necropsy for the White Shepherd Genetics Project, we not only want to know the cause of death, we want to get a comprehensive picture of other things that may have been going on with your dog that may or may not have been clinical
v It is your responsibility to make the arrangements for cremation. Cremation is at your expense
v Ask at the university about their cremation policy, procedures and prices.
Some universities provide ashes that come from the accumulation of all animals cremated on the same day as your dog. They are usually called “representative ashes.” Ask about their services and the charge for these services.
An individual cremation is more expensive than representative ashes
v The university you deal with can tell you about the cremation they provide or give you referrals to independent cremation services
v Contact the cremation services and have them explain the different options
STEPS TO TAKE WHEN YOUR LOVED PET HAS PASSED
v If your pet passes at the vets, or needs to be euthanized, remind your vet that you would like to take your pet to a university for a comprehensive necropsy in collaboration with the White Shepherd Genetics Project. Some Universities will require a referral from your vet
v If your pet passes elsewhere and the University requires a referral from your vet, inform your vet that your pet has passed and have him provide a referral for the necropsy. Remind him that it will be in collaboration with the White Shepherd Genetics Project
v Download the forms for the necropsy from the WSGP website. Submit two copies to the university—one to go in the dog’s file and one to go with the body
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Forms
g Necropsy Check List (Provide 2 copies to the University)
g Necropsy Letter (Provide 2 copies to the University)
g WSGP ID Sheet (Fill out and fax to Judy Huston) )
v Contact the university to let them know you will be arriving
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If it is during off hours (weekend or night) you may still be able to bring you pet in to the university and they can keep him/her cool until normal business hours. Ask about this when you call.
v Contact) Email: info@wsgenetics.com
v It is extremely important your pet be necropsied as soon after death as possible
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Prior to arriving at the university, keep your pet cool. You can use a container and ice packs if necessary
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Do not enclose your pet in plastic until the body is well chilled
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If long delays are anticipated, the carcass should be frozen. Remember, however, freezing prohibits using tissues for histopathology and makes isolation of some pathogens impossible
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Be advised: Most universities can perform emergency necropsies during off-hours for a charge. You would be responsible for the charge if you choose this option
v Make arrangements for cremation
WHITE SHEPHERD GENETICS PROJECTS INVOLVEMENT
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Have the understanding that you are doing this for the betterment of the breed, as well as to know you can learn about your dogs condition
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WSGP will pay for approved necropsies
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By agreeing to the necropsy, you are agreeing the WSGP can use and publish the necropsy results on the website, in articles and for research
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The universities are instructed to provide WSGP with results including the Preliminary Report, Final Report and the WSGP Checklist. The universities will typically send a copy to your vet
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WSGP will have a qualified professional translate the report(s) into layman’s terms
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Information from the necropsy results is submitted to the WSGP Database in your dog’s name, including sire and dam names. Copies can be sent to you upon request.
Revised Sept 1, 2012