Causes of an animal's death

When it is needed

When professional assessment is needed of a possible cause of death and its connection to illness, injury or other circumstances.

What we examine

• The animal's condition and treatment history.
• Post-mortem examination materials where available.
• Laboratory reports and information about the circumstances of death.

Materials to prepare

• The veterinary clinical record for the period relevant to the event.
• The post-mortem report, photographs and specialist investigations where available.
• A chronology of observations and information about possible exposures.
• Documents recording receipt, storage and transfer of the objects examined.

Sample questions

• What changes and conditions are supported by the materials?
• Which explanations of the cause of death agree with the combined data?
• Is information available to assess the role of a particular exposure?
• What alternative causes need checking?
• Which examinations or documents are insufficient for a reasoned answer?

Build a set of questions →

How the work is carried out

1. Assess the available materials and their preservation with a relevant veterinarian.
2. Compare information from life, post-mortem changes and specialist examination results.
3. Formulate findings on causes and the extent to which they are supported.

Result

A specialist report analysing supported changes, causal explanations and missing data.

What affects the conclusions

Without a post-mortem examination and necessary tests, it may be impossible to establish the cause of death. An individual symptom does not prove poisoning or the action of a particular substance.

Frequently asked questions