Pathology

The Comparative Pathology Lab (CPL) provides both anatomic and clinical pathology services to diagnose animal health issues across UW-Madison Campus and evaluate research questions participating in multiple interdisciplinary studies.

Clinical Service

Necropsy and biopsy
CPL performs diagnostic necropsies for research colonies and animals to determine causes of illness or death, as well as the effects of instrumentation, research procedures, or genetic manipulation. Where warranted, the CPL can also offer microbiology, including virology, parasitology, bacteriology, and histopathology on necropsy and biopsy specimens.

Environmental monitoring
For environmental surveillance please contact RARC Vet Tech staff at vet_tech@rarc.wisc.edu or Sarah Kolb (Vet Tech Supervisor).

CPL receives autoclaved ampules and incubates to verify lab autoclaves run properly.

Research Assistance

Consultative pathology
CPL can provide a variety of pathology services to research investigators: preservation, tissue collection, handling, and interpretation of pathology slides. CPL can also provide advice and training regarding tissue collection methods, specimen preservation, and histology optimization.

CPL can work on a fee-for-service basis or collaboratively. Contact pathology staff as early in the formative process as possible, so that we can determine how best to support the research aim.

Histology
Histology staff can provide cassette labeling, specimen processing, slide preparation, special stains, technique training, optimization of archived specimens/tissue blocks, and consultations.

Training
The Pathology and Training Unit at RARC are working together to offer the research community the basic knowledge to perform a necropsy and tissue harvesting in multiple species. Please contact trainer@rarc.wisc.edu to verify your eligibility and schedule your necropsy training.