Owner perceptions and experiences with equine necropsy.
Authors: Inglis Z E, Firshman A M, Lochner H L, Martinson K L
Journal: Journal of equine veterinary science
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Owner Perceptions and Experiences with Equine Necropsy Declining necropsy submission rates in equine practice prompted researchers to investigate what drives owner decision-making around post-mortem examination. An online survey of 1,366 horse owners revealed significant communication gaps: whilst 82% had euthanised a horse, only 27% were offered necropsy as an option, yet 81% of those who received the recommendation proceeded with it. Veterinary recommendation was by far the strongest predictor of necropsy uptake (odds ratio 77.87), substantially outweighing other factors, whilst unexpectedly owners already suspecting the cause of death were also more likely to consent. Perhaps most notably, owners motivated by herd health benefits were actually *less* likely to pursue necropsy, suggesting this message fails to resonate with private horse owners despite its professional importance. Beyond clinical decision-making, the study identified linguistic barriers: "necropsy" and "carcass" scored poorly with respondents, who preferred the terms "autopsy," "body," and "mortality." For practitioners seeking to increase necropsy uptake and improve diagnostic closure on cases, the implications are clear—active recommendation from the attending veterinarian is crucial, terminology should be reframed to match owner comfort levels, and educational messaging should pivot away from herd health arguments towards individual case understanding, human health protection, and personal closure.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Veterinarians should proactively offer necropsy to all owners following euthanasia, as most accept when recommended—your recommendation is the strongest factor influencing this decision
- •Use more owner-friendly language: say 'autopsy' or 'post-mortem examination' instead of 'necropsy,' and refer to 'the horse's body' rather than 'carcass' to improve communication and acceptance
- •Frame necropsy benefits around individual closure and herd protection rather than vague 'herd health' statements to increase uptake among owners
Key Findings
- •Only 27% of horse owners who euthanized a horse were offered necropsy, but 81% accepted when offered
- •Veterinarian recommendations were the strongest predictor of necropsy acceptance (77.87 OR)
- •Horse owners show greater familiarity with 'autopsy' than 'necropsy' and prefer terminology like 'body' and 'mortality' over 'carcass'
- •Desire for personal closure, competition use, and herd health goals were positively associated with necropsy acceptance