After assigning an accession number to the sample, the case data information received with the sample should be used to fill out the laboratory worksheet that will accompany the case to completion. Live fish should be examined for behavioral abnormalities (spiral swimming, flashing, flared gill opercula, prostration, etc.) then anesthetized to avoid tissue artifacts caused by alternate methods of euthanasia such as pithing or a blow to the head. Some external abnormalities (whitened or eroded fin tips, cloudy cornea, body discoloration, excessive mucus) are best observed while the fish is submerged in water. In many cases postmortem change in fish received dead will prevent this latter opportunity.
No comments:
Post a Comment