This service is delivered by a veterinary investigation officer who has received extensive training in farm animal pathology, supported by a team of board-certified veterinary pathologists. They are supported by a team of skilled technicians.
Pathologist holding a sample and bottle of formalin

Our farm animal post-mortem examination service (PME) is delivered in purpose-built, state-of-the-art facilities at our Veterinary Pathology Centre.

Surveillance activities enable us to monitor existing endemic diseases as well as detecting new and emerging exotic diseases. This protects individual animals, farms and the national herd and flock.

What are the benefits?

  • A PME is often the only way to identify the presence of one or more concurrent diseases and to confirm the cause(s) of sudden death. This knowledge allows the rest of the herd or flock to be appropriately managed and/or treated.
  • When diseases result in similar or vague signs of illness, a PME may be the only way to differentiate between them.
  • Samples provided after death can provide valuable information about the deceased animal and surviving members of the group.
  • Farm productivity can be improved by PME-informed treatment and management.
  • Surveillance activities enable us to monitor existing (endemic) as well as detecting new and emerging (exotic) diseases. This protects individual animals, farms and the national herd and flock.

How does the service operate?

The referring vet calls the Veterinary Pathology Centre at the University of Surrey and provides the essential details of the case to the on-duty vet.

For a printable map showing detailed delivery directions, please click here.

Carcases will only be accepted for PME if the animal:

  • Has died within the last 48 hours (please contact us if otherwise)
  • Is delivered to the University’s PME facility directly or using a carcase delivery service (if available). To check if eligible for free carcase collection service, please click here.
  • In many cases farm animal PMEs and additional testing are subsidised by APHA, however please contact us to check before submitting.
  • For cases which are not eligible for APHA subsidy, the full cost of the PME and additional testing will be passed onto the submitting vet.

Please note that our new pricing & disposal cost policy comes into effect from 1st July 2022.  To find out more, please contact us at vetpath@surrey.ac.uk

What are the hours of service?

Between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Carcases arriving after 3pm may be kept in cold storage overnight, with a view to conducting the PME the following morning.

In line with our operating procedures, any data concerning the animal owner will remain confidential. Data will be held by the University of Surrey and will not be shared without full consent. If a notifiable disease is suspected, the School of Veterinary Medicine has a legal requirement to report this to Defra.