Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
in sheep due to
Streptococcus faecalis
and
E. rhusiopathiae
,
the causal organisms of swine erysipelas.
Carcase
The cut surfaces of bone and muscle, carcase exterior,
pleura, peritoneum and diaphragm should be observed,
attention being given to condition, efficiency of bleed-
ing, colour, cleanliness, odours and evidence of bruis-
ing and other abnormalities. If necessary, palpation and
incision of parts may be indicated, for example, triceps
brachii muscle for
C. bovis
. The superficial inguinal,
external and internal iliac, prepectoral and renal lymph
nodes should be observed and, if necessary, palpated
and incised. Where a systemic or generalised disease is
suspected, in tuberculin reactors and where tubercu-
lous lesions have been detected in the viscera, the main
carcase lymph nodes must be examined. The thoracic
and abdominal cavities should be inspected for inflam-
mation, abscesses, actinobacillosis, mesothelioma or
TB; the diaphragm should be lifted, for tuberculous
lesions may be hidden between the diaphragm and the
thoracic wall.
Liver
A visual examination with palpation should be made
for fatty change, actinobacillosis, abscesses, telangiec-
tasis and parasitic infections such as hydatid cysts,
C.
bovis
, fascioliasis or linguatulae. The larval stage of
Oesophagostomum radiatum
may occasionally be found
in the ox liver. Observe and, if necessary, palpate the gall
bladder. An incision should be made on the gastric sur-
face of the liver and, in bovines, an incision at the base of
the caudate lobe to examine the bile ducts. Where neces-
sary for a diagnosis, incise as necessary into the bile
ducts and liver substance.
Oesophagus, stomach and intestines
Observe and, if necessary, palpate these organs. The
serous surface may show evidence of TB or actinobacil-
losis, while the anterior aspect of the reticulum may
show evidence of a foreign body.
Traditional post-mortem inspection of calves
The routine post-mortem of calves is virtually the same
as for adult bovines, with special attention to particular
sites. A visual examination of the mouth and tongue
should be made for foot-and-mouth disease and calf
diphtheria. Attention should also be paid to the aboma-
sum for evidence of peptic ulcers, the small intestine for
white scour or dysentery and the liver, portal lymph
nodes and posterior mediastinal lymph nodes for con-
genital TB. The lungs, kidneys and spinal cord should be
examined for melanotic deposits and the umbilicus and
joints for septic omphalophlebitis. The consistency of
the synovial fluid of the hock can be readily determined
by puncturing the protrusion on the inner aspect of the
joint with the point of a knife. The appearance and con-
sistency of the renal fat should be carefully noted.
Kidney
Enucleation of the kidney to allow visual inspection and, if
necessary, incision of the kidney and renal lymph nodes.
Spleen
The surface and substance should be examined for TB,
haematomata and the presence of infarcts with observa-
tion, palpation and, if necessary, incision.
Uterus
The uterus should be viewed, palpated and, if necessary,
incised, care being taken to prevent contamination of the
carcase. Evidence of pregnancy or of recent parturition
in the well-bled and well-set carcase is not significant.
Udders
The potential for the presence of food-poisoning micro-
organisms in the udder is such that it is questionable if
they should ever be considered as fit for human con-
sumption. If they are, they should be palpated, and each
half of the udder opened by a long, deep incision, prefer-
ably multiple and about 5 cm apart, and the lymph nodes
incised. Abscesses or septic mastitis may be present, and
the supramammary lymph nodes, even in a dry cow,
should be incised for evidence of abscesses or TB. In bru-
cellosis reactors, the udder is removed intact without
incision and without handling.
Traditional post-mortem inspection of sheep
and goats
Sheep and goats require a less detailed inspection than
cattle, calves and pigs, the routine inspection requiring
no incisions. The carcase should be visually examined
for satisfactory bleeding and setting, the lungs for para-
sitic infections, especially hydatid cysts and nematodes,
and the liver for fascioliasis. In Australia and New
Zealand, it is routine procedure to palpate the carcase for
evidence of arthritis, caseous lymphadenitis, inoculation
abscesses and lesions due to grass seed awns (Fig. 9.9).
Testes
If destined for human consumption, the testes should be
viewed and palpated.
Traditional post-mortem inspection of pigs
Post-mortem examination of pigs follows the same over-
all routine as for cattle.
