• This atlas describes the avian necropsy technique in a detailed and systematic manner. It also provides information about the pathologies commonly observed in poultry at the slaughterhouse, as well as guidelines on how to collect samples for diagnostic tests. This updated edition includes, in addition to more than 200 images, explanatory videos to obtain the maximum diagnostic yield.

  • 1. Necropsy technique in poultry

    Previous aspects to keep in mind
    Objectives of the necropsy
    Selection of animals for necropsy
    Methods of euthanasia
    Necropsy equipment
    Characteristics and stages of the necropsy technique
    External examination and sampling of the bird in vivo
    Preparation of the cadaver and opening the coelomic cavity
    Extraction of the internal organs
    Study and evaluation of the internal organs
    Study of the head: evaluation of the nasal cavity and brain
    Study of the musculoskeletal system: evaluation of the nerves, joints, bones and muscles

    2. Macroscopic evaluation of the organs

    Previous aspects to keep in mind
    Skin and subcutaneous tissue
    Respiratory system
    Conjunctiva
    Nasal turbinates
    Infraorbital sinuses
    Trachea
    Lungs
    Air sacs
    Digestive system
    Oral cavity
    Oesophagus and crop
    Proventriculus
    Gizzard
    Intestine
    Pancreas
    Liver
    Cardiovascular system
    Lymphohematopoietic system
    Thymus
    Spleen
    Bursa of Fabricius
    Genitourinary system
    Urinary system
    Reproductive system
    Musculoskeletal system
    Bones
    Muscles
    Joints and tendons
    Nervous system
    Central nervous system
    Peripheral nervous system

    3. Sampling and other general considerations

    Practical aspects to keep in mind
    Submitting samples to the laboratory
    Histopathology
    Type of sample
    Tissues or organs for sampling
    Sample preservation
    Microbiology/bacteriology
    Type of sample
    Tissues or organs for sampling
    Sample preservation
    Pathologies for which a microbiological study is indicated
    Virology
    Type of sample
    Tissues or organs for sampling
    Sample preservation
    Molecular biology
    Type of sample
    Tissues or organs for sampling
    Sample preservation
    Serology
    Type of sample
    Sample preservation
    Sample size
    Time of sampling
    Interpretation of results
    Parasitology
    Type of sample
    Sample preservation
    Toxicology
    Type of sample
    Sample preservation

  • Natàlia Majó Masferrer

    Natàlia Majó Masferrer holds a PhD in veterinary medicine from the University of Barcelona (UAB) and is a Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Pathologists (ECVP) and of the European College of Poultry Veterinary Science (ECVPS). She is currently professor in the Department of Animal Health and Anatomy at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the UAB and a researcher at the Centre for Research into Animal Health (CReSA).

    Her teaching and research focus on animal pathology, more specifically avian pathology. She is head of the Veterinary Pathology Diagnostic Service at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the UAB. Her latest research projects have dealt with avian viral diseases: avian infectious bronchitis, Gumboro disease and avian influenza. She has published more than 80 articles in international journals and participated in many seminars and congresses in Spain and elsewhere. She has supervised 10 PhD theses on topics related to veterinary pathology. She has also taught training courses in avian pathology. She is a member of the ECVP Council and of the Board of Directors of the Spanish Association of Poultry Science (AECA).

    Roser Dolz Pascual

    Roser Dolz Pascual holds a PhD in veterinary medicine from the University of Barcelona (UAB) and is a Diplomate of the European College of Poultry Veterinary Science (ECVPS). She was a researcher at the Centre for Research into Animal Health (CReSA) for 7 years after completing her PhD, and collaborated in the Veterinary Pathology Diagnostic Service at the UAB. Her research focused on viral diseases and on Campylobacter, with research projects at a national and European level.

    In 2014, she became a manager at PH Ibérica, dedicated to developing and selling feed additives. After two years, she joined the MSD Animal Health team, where she currently works as a technical specialist in poultry. She has published more than 20 articles in international scientific journals and has participated as a speaker at numerous poultry seminars, courses and congresses on poultry, both in Spain and elsewhere.
Veterinary Clinics of North America
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