Changes

Note any '''signs of struggle''' and '''check the mouth''' carefully to check for substances such as yew. Check for '''external sign of trauma''' or burning (lightning). Open the carcass carefully noting any unusual '''smells''' present. Phosphorous poisoning gives a faint smell of garlic, metaldehyde poisoning causes a formalin smell, phenol poisoning smells like carbolic soap and cyanide poisoning created a 'silver polish' smell. These are quickly lost once the carcass has been opened. Check the '''mucous membranes''' - bright red membranes can suggest cyanide poisoning, brown membranes are associated with nitrate poisoning. Check for evidence of '''internal bleeding''', and examine the entire '''GI tract''' carefully. Some plant toxins such as ragwort demonstrate delayed toxicity so are not detected in the GI tract at time of death. Examine '''all internal organs''', recording the condition of target organs such as the gut, liver, kidneys lungs, heart and CNS. Take the time to contact your regular laboratory and ask them for advice on what samples to collect for laboratory analysis. '''Always collect duplicate samples''' in case of any postal delivery problems and label fully at the time of collection. Fresh (or frozen if necessary) samples are often required for analysis of poisons, and faecal and urine samples should be free from preservative. Use '''glass rather than plastic pots''' and record all the samples collected. Formal saline samples are indicated where histology is required.

Note any '''signs of struggle''' and '''check the mouth''' carefully to check for substances such as yew. Check for '''external sign of trauma''' or burning (lightning). Open the carcass carefully noting any unusual '''smells''' present. Phosphorous poisoning gives a faint smell of garlic, metaldehyde poisoning causes a formalin smell, phenol poisoning smells like carbolic soap and cyanide poisoning created a 'silver polish' smell. These are quickly lost once the carcass has been opened. Check the '''mucous membranes''' - bright red membranes can suggest cyanide poisoning, brown membranes are associated with nitrate poisoning. Check for evidence of '''internal bleeding''', and examine the entire '''GI tract''' carefully. Some plant toxins such as ragwort demonstrate delayed toxicity so are not detected in the GI tract at time of death. Examine '''all internal organs''', recording the condition of target organs such as the gut, liver, kidneys lungs, heart and CNS. Take the time to contact your regular laboratory and ask them for advice on what samples to collect for laboratory analysis. '''Always collect duplicate samples''' in case of any postal delivery problems and label fully at the time of collection. Fresh (or frozen if necessary) samples are often required for analysis of poisons, and faecal and urine samples should be free from preservative. Use '''glass rather than plastic pots''' and record all the samples collected. Formal saline samples are indicated where histology is required.

 

[[Category:Toxicology|A]]

[[Category:Toxicology|A]]