See also Specimens for toxicology

There may be some delay (approximately 2 weeks) in testing samples for organochlorines and organophosphates. Testing is undertaken at NSW Department of Primary Industries' laboratory at Wollongbar for a range of OC and OP compounds. Currently analytical methods for pesticides in ingesta or tissues are available for the following chemicals:

Organochlorines

Aldrin, Dieldrin, Endrin, Lindane, DDE, DDD, DDT, HCB, Heptachlor, Heptachlor Epoxide, Alpha Chlordane, Gamma Chlordane, Alpha BHC and Beta BHC.

Organophosphates

Bromophos Ethyl, Chlorfenvinphos, Chlorpyrifos, Chlorpyrifos Methyl, Diazinon, Dichlorvos, Ethion, Fenitrothion, Fenthion, Malathion, Methacrifos, Methyl Parathion, Parathion, Pirimiphos Methyl, Profenophos, Sulprofos, and others.

Diagnosis

Based on clinical findings, response to treatment and toxicology. There are no pathological changes observed at necropsy. The history should include details of the specific insecticides to which the animals may have had access.

Specimens required

Acute exposures

1. At least 20 g of stomach contents, liver and brain submitted frozen for toxicology.
2. Sections of liver, kidney, lung, brain and any other organs with gross lesions, should be submitted in buffered formalin for differential diagnosis on histopathology.

Chronic exposures

1. At least 20 g of fat submitted frozen for toxicology
2. Sections of liver, kidney, lung, brain and any other organs with gross lesions, should be submitted in buffered formalin for differential diagnosis on histopathology.