This may necessitate the use of a truck with a solid box or a stone boat which can be cleaned and sanitized. The exterior of the carcass is first examined for general body condition and injuries. The membranes of the eye, nose, mouth, rectum and reproductive tract are examined at this time. Abnormal body discharges and swellings are also noted. Each organ is examined in turn and specimens taken when indicated.
Care is taken to avoid disturbing the position of any organ until it has been observed.
The amount of fluid in each of the body cavities is noted along with its color, consistency and odor. Organs are removed for more detailed examination, taking special care to inspect the associated lymph glands. As the necropsy progresses, small pieces of tissue, body fluids and organ contents are often taken for submission to a laboratory. In the event that an infectious disease is suspected, specimens are collected aseptically and sent to the microbiology laboratory, where efforts are made to identify the organism involved. In the case of bacterial diseases, further tests will be conducted to identify the antibiotic that should be used to treat animals similarly affected.