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6.3.1 Before beginning
• Collect a history before proceeding with the necropsy. Define the nature of the problem symptoms and signs, incubation period, duration of illness, numbers recovering and
numbers dying, what animals are affected number, age, breed, sex, physiological and vaccination status and when start and duration of the problem, duration of the clinical
course and where they occurred.
• Record relevant environmental conditions and management practices such as weather and feed changes, deck wash downs and treatments and responses to treatment. A
good history examination will direct focus on certain elements of the necropsy if time is limiting.
• Examine sick cattle systematically before being euthanased. Record clinical information such as blindness, weakness, ataxia, jaundice, diarrhoea and respiratory distress and
rectal temperature. Elevated rectal temperature may indicate acute infection, exertion or hot and humid environmental conditions.
6.3.2 At the beginning
• Assess and record the animal’s physical condition and the extent of post mortem
decomposition. Observe whether there are any discharges from eye, nose, ear, mouth, superficial lymph nodes, anus, vulva, prepuce, joints, bursae or wounds.
• Examine the skin, particularly of the ventral neck and ear canal for external parasites. Examine the coronets and interdigital spaces for signs of inflammation.
• Examine the conjunctiva for discolouration. Examine the lips, gums and tongue for erosions, ulcers or blisters and make an initial
estimate of the age from the eruption and wear of incisor teeth. Refer to other sections for assistance with aging cattle by their teeth.
• Note any identifying features such as earmarks, tags or brands. • Cut out NLIS and management tags, clean them and place them into a container of
formalin. Label the container with the case number. • If hyperthermia heat stroke is suspected, make a stab incision over a large muscle
mass and insert a probe thermometer.
6.3.3 First step — expose body cavities and viscera
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