**The tests and fees posted are provided for use by veterinarians and are subject to change.**

If you are an animal owner and wish to submit specimens, please contact your local veterinarian. Fees charged by veterinarians typically reflect the time, expertise, and expense necessary to collect the sample, ship it appropriately, and provide treatment advice based on the interpretation of test results. It is standard for diagnostic fees charged by veterinarians to exceed the laboratory test price.

New Necropsy Orders and Pricing Structure – July 1, 2025

The University of Illinois Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory has revised the pricing and ordering structure for necropsy services. These changes are designed to more accurately reflect the resources required to perform a necropsy, while also better aligning with the level of diagnostic detail and outcomes our clients expect.

Certain components of the necropsy service can now be ordered individually, giving you greater control and flexibility in diagnostics. This allows you to tailor each case to include only the tests and services most relevant to your clinical goals and your client’s expectations.

You may now choose from the following diagnostic service levels:

• Necropsy – Gross Only Examination - $125
• Necropsy – Gross and Histopathology - $250
• Necropsy – Diagnostic Workup, level 1 - Ancillary testing up to $250
• Necropsy – Diagnostic Workup, level 2 - Ancillary testing up to $500
• Field Necropsy (NIAB) - Histopathology Only - $100
• Field Necropsy (NIAB) - Workup, level 1 - Ancillary testing up to $250
• Field Necropsy (NIAB) - Workup, level 2 - Ancillary testing up to $500

We have updated our Pathology Submission Form to reflect the new necropsy ordering and pricing structure. If you are not submitting electronically, please be sure to use the updated paper form for all submissions moving forward.

Below is a description of each available option to help you choose the most appropriate level of diagnostic investigation for your case and to understand what is included in the cost of each service.

Necropsy – Gross Only Examination - $125

This service includes:

• Gross assessment only (no histopathology or ancillary diagnostics)
• A written gross necropsy report summarizing relevant findings and gross morphologic diagnoses

This level of exam is intended for cases where visual findings are sufficient to answer clinical or client questions.

Ordering Notes:
Histopathology is not included with the Gross Examination but can be added on at the clinician’s request following completion of the gross exam. If findings during the gross necropsy suggest the need for further evaluation, the pathologist may retain representative tissues and can proceed with histopathology and ancillary testing if requested.

Necropsy – Gross and Histopathology - $250

This service includes:

• Microscopic evaluation
• Histopathologic diagnoses and interpretations
• Integration of microscopic findings with clinical history and gross findings (if applicable)
• A comprehensive pathology report summarizing relevant findings.

Ordering Notes:

Histopathology must be ordered in conjunction with a gross necropsy, as the pathologist relies on the gross examination to appropriately select and contextualize tissues for microscopic evaluation. Histopathology cannot be ordered as a standalone service for postmortem cases.

Necropsy – Diagnostic Workup, level 1 - Ancillary testing up to $250

OR

Necropsy – Diagnostic Workup, level 2 - Ancillary testing up to $500

This flexible package streamlines diagnostic follow-up, avoids delays in client communication, and ensures timely pursuit of meaningful diagnostics without requiring multiple rounds of approval.

Includes Gross Necropsy and Histopathology for $250, plus authorizes the pathologist to pursue additional ancillary diagnostic testing (e.g., microbiology, PCR, parasitology, serology) up to the selected cost ceiling ($250 for Level 1, $500 for Level 2) to help determine cause of death.

• The base charge for this service is the cost of Gross Necropsy and Histopathology ($250); ancillary testing is then charged in addition, up to the selected level.
• May be requested after Gross + Histopathology has been ordered.
• Authorizes the pathologist to select and perform relevant tests up to the approved ceiling.
• If only specific tests are desired, contact the pathologist to determine appropriate next steps.
• If testing beyond the selected ceiling is necessary, the client will be contacted for approval.

Level 2 is recommended for abortion submissions.

Billing Details:
The cost of the Diagnostic Workup is $250 (Gross & Histo) plus the cost of ancillary testing determined by package selection. Clients will only be billed for the actual cost of tests performed, not the maximum amount.

Field Necropsy (NIAB) - Histopathology Only - $100

This service includes:

• Submitted tissues will be processed for histopathologic evaluation, and a comprehensive report will be issued by a pathologist. 

If you would like to include diagnostics with your Field Necropsy, make one of the following selections instead:

Field Necropsy (NIAB) - Workup, level 1 - Ancillary testing up to $250

Field Necropsy (NIAB) - Workup, level 2 - Ancillary testing up to $500

Fresh tissues will be used for testing as needed. Level 2 is recommended for abortion submissions.

Billing Details:

The cost of the Workup is $100 (Histopathology) plus the cost of ancillary testing determined by package selection. Clients will only be billed for the actual cost of tests performed, not the maximum amount.

**Additional fees apply for disposal or return of remains.**

**We do not accept live animals for necropsy.**

Please contact the Business Office with questions: 217-333-1620 or vdloffice@vetmed.illinois.edu.