Legalities of cutting up dead animals.

[C4VEMAN-5AM]

Schools do it all the time, they cut up pigs and frogs.
No it isnt illegal no one has anything to worry about.

[arvey]

there are a couple of issues here. firstly post mortem examinations fall under the category of veterinary surgery. to quote the RCVS "Surgical and post mortem pathology is inherently diagnostic and is fully within the legal defination of veterinary surgery"
There are also laws regarding the disposal of clinical wast as well as health and safety laws.

the bigger picture is why are these laws in place? yes they are probably difficult to enforce. They are there to protect both the person carrying out the examination and the general public from the risk of infectious disease.

now lets look at the post in question. not the examination itself (i think i have a tentative diagnosis based on what i have seen but have chosen keep this to myself) but what else is there.

coasters for cups including a childs coaster, an animal carrier, dining room table most likley with only a layer of newspaper as protection, letters, some officy stuff. Kitchen Knives, a pair of kitchen scissors. Were gloves worn, was a mask worn, was the animal sutured afterwards. what was the ventilation like in the room. The animal is "laid to rest in the garden". I assume unsutured and therefore contaminating the soil and water drainage.

What if this animal had had tuberculosis. A very resistant organism that will now be all over that room. Anyone who keeps reptiles should be aware of a salmonella risk. There are a whole host of other potentioally infectious organisms that exist in a dead reptile that necessitate proper care at pme. For those interested I have carried out a snake pm if they want to beef up their anatomy. I find it a shame that people are so cavalier about these issues. If God forbid their children contracted Tb they may see things in their proper context

[Crownan]

Very informative Rodneyvet, thank you

[gregmonsta]

I did a PM this year ... mostly because when I enquired at the local vets they didn't want anything to do with my snake ... I have dissected snakes before as part of my course but I didn't really want to do this one as she was my pet ... thanks to these vets not being able to do their jobs/recommend an alternative - I bit the bullet and went for it.
I used my notes and autopsy guides and the experience of fellow breeders and got to the root of the problem (a blockage at the stomach exit - later proven to be a genetic problem as other snakes from this litter died from the same constriction in this area).
Hygene is important!!! Everything was sterilised and the remainder of the snake was bagged and disposed of and the skin I kept and preserved.
I don't recommend the experience of dissecting a pet to anyone but I don't see why serious hobbyists which are experienced or have actively researched the subject shouldn't be allowed to use their knowledge.
I know several fellow breeders throughout Europe who handle all of their fecal smears/necropsies/etc themselves. Be it through necessity or with mind towards serious herpetology.

[strudel]

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