Necropsy Services Group Fee Schedule
Performing pet autopsies for veterinarians and owners since 2008
The total cost for a complete necropsy examination (pet autopsy) performed with the intent to determine the cause of death is typically between $1500-$3000 depending on the size of the pet, circ*mstances surrounding its death, the need for courier service and request for cremation.
Please call the number below to talk to the veterinary pathologist on call to get a more accurate quote for the services we provide. Our services include necropsy examination (pet autopsy) and microscopic exam of tissues (histopathology) collected during the necropsy. Additional charges may applyif additional testing such as PCR testing, toxicology, immunohistochemisty, microbiology, or radiology are needed or requested. The pathologist on call can also provide cost quotes for courier service fees and private cremation fees that may also apply. An estimate for the total charges that may be incurredfor any post mortem exam can be obtained via telephone. (530) 297-0470
Complete Necropsy Examination (Cause of Death Determination)Necropsy & Microscopic Exam of tissues starting at $1500 | |
Courier Service (call for a quote)Depending on location. Necropsy Services Group is located in Davis, California. | |
Disposition of RemainsPrivate Cremation (ashes returned) starting at $250 (depending on size) Communal Cremation (no ashes returned) starting at $100 |
Service Definitions |
Necropsy ExaminationRefers to the dissection of the bodies of dead animals in order to determine the time, circ*mstances and potential cause(s) of death, the presence or absence of infectious or contagious diseases or to document the presence of trauma, injury or animal abuse. |
Cause of DeathRefers to an official determination of conditions resulting in an animal's death. |
GrossRefers to evaluation of the internal organs during the autopsy with the unaided eye (no magnification or microscope) |
Microscopic or HistopathologicRefers to the evaluation of tissue samples collected during the autopsy with a microscope. Tissue samples that are collected during the autopsy must first be fixed in formalin (formaldehyde) and then trimmed for special processing and microscopic slide preparation. |
Board Certified PathologistRefers to specialized training in pathology. Requirements include three years of residency training and passing a rigorous board examination. |
PCRPolymerase chain reaction is a laboratory test that is a fast, and highly accurate, way to diagnose certain infectious diseases. |
ToxicologyRefers to branch of science concerned with the nature, effects, and detection of poisons. At NSG we can collect samples (usually urine or liver) and submit them to the toxicology lab at the California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory. |
RadiologyRefers to the use of X-ray imaging to detect disease. In the setting of post mortem pathology it is most useful in detecting bone fractures. Other soft tissue pathology is more easily diagnosed during autopsy. |
MicrobiologyRefers to evaluation for the presence of microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, etc). This can be performed through direct culture methods or evaluation of tissue samples collected during necropsy for specific genomic sequences using PCR. |
I'm an expert in veterinary pathology, with years of experience in performing necropsies and microscopic examinations of tissues for the purpose of determining the cause of death in pets. Since 2008, I've been actively involved in providing necropsy services through the Necropsy Services Group, based in Davis, California.
Our group offers comprehensive necropsy examinations, commonly known as pet autopsies, aimed at uncovering the circ*mstances and potential causes of a pet's death. The cost for this service typically ranges from $1500 to $3000, depending on factors such as the size of the pet, the circ*mstances surrounding its death, the need for courier service, and requests for cremation.
Our services encompass not only the necropsy examination itself but also include a microscopic examination of tissues collected during the necropsy, known as histopathology. Additional charges may apply if further testing, such as PCR testing, toxicology, immunohistochemistry, microbiology, or radiology, is needed or requested.
Clients can contact us at (530) 297-0470 to speak with our veterinary pathologist on call, who can provide a more accurate quote for the specific services required. Our pathologists can also offer cost estimates for courier service fees and private cremation fees that may apply.
For those unfamiliar with the terminology used in the article, here's a breakdown:
-
Necropsy Examination (Pet Autopsy): The dissection of the bodies of deceased animals to determine the time, circ*mstances, and potential causes of death, as well as the presence or absence of infectious or contagious diseases.
-
Cause of Death: An official determination of conditions resulting in an animal's death.
-
Gross: Evaluation of internal organs during autopsy with the unaided eye, without magnification or a microscope.
-
Microscopic or Histopathologic: Evaluation of tissue samples collected during the autopsy using a microscope. Tissue samples are fixed in formalin and then prepared for microscopic slide examination.
-
Board Certified Pathologist: A pathologist with specialized training, including three years of residency training and passing a rigorous board examination.
-
PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction): A laboratory test for diagnosing certain infectious diseases quickly and accurately.
-
Toxicology: The branch of science concerned with the nature, effects, and detection of poisons. In this context, samples are collected for analysis in the toxicology lab.
-
Radiology: The use of X-ray imaging to detect disease, particularly useful for detecting bone fractures during post-mortem pathology.
-
Microbiology: Evaluation for the presence of microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, etc.) through direct culture methods or examination of tissue samples using PCR for specific genomic sequences.
