Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Bruising and fractures, especially of limbs and thoracic
spine, may be sustained ante-mortem, when they are
normally associated with haemorrhage.
Judgement
This should be based on the extent and
nature of the lesion and the practicability of carrying out
trimming:
12 rabbits. The rabbits are removed one by one from the
crates by a single operative, wearing rubber gloves, and
each is placed with its head between the arms of the
stunner and gently pushed upwards to make contact
with the current. Stunning is carried out electrically
with a minimum stunning current of 140 mA, which can
be achieved with an application of 100 V. Following a
successful stun, epileptiform activity occurs and the ani-
mal will collapse. This is characterised by cessation of
breathing, salivation and increased motor activity, tonic
(rigid) and clonic (kicking) phase. It is also permissible
to stun rabbits by a blow to the head. Following stun-
ning, commercial rabbits are shackled immediately,
and exsanguination is carried out very quickly, within
10 seconds during the tonic phase, thereby preventing
any risk of recovery.
The feet are removed and the carcase passes into the evis-
ceration room where further dressing takes 5-6 minutes.
The main cause of death in commercial rabbits is
mucoid enteropathy, a non-specific digestive upset. There
is impaction of the colon and this condition is precipitated
by stress, high-energy feeds and high population densities.
Escherichia coli
is the most common enteric pathogen. It
causes diarrhoea in neonatal and weaned rabbits.
1
Extensive injury or bruising, excessive blood or serum
in the body tissues or multiple abscesses render the
whole carcase unfit.
2
When the bruising is localised, the carcase may be
passed following removal by trimming of all affected
parts. When trimming, the extension of blood between
muscles, bones, etc. should be considered and care
must be taken to ensure that all affected tissues are
removed.
3
Provided that the carcase is otherwise fit, superficial,
discrete, uncomplicated bruises not exceeding 2 cm
may be left untrimmed.
4
In the case of fractures, the affected tissues should be
trimmed from the carcase. The cut should normally
be made at a joint which ensures that all the affected
tissue is removed.
Enteritis
Enteritis has many causes including
Bacillus piliformis
.
The lesions vary greatly from a mild enteritis involving
the whole gut to haemorrhagic enteritis with blood-
stained contents. The gut contents may be either abun-
dant and watery or sparse and mucoid, especially in
the caecum.
Judgement
Condemn.
Inspection
In the United Kingdom, rabbit plants slaughtering in excess
of 10 000 rabbits a year have to be licensed. Inspection is
similar to that used in poultry, with ante-mortem and post-
mortem being carried out.
Post-mortem judgements in rabbit
meat inspection
Death before slaughter
Rabbits which have died before slaughter should not be
presented for processing but detained at ante-mortem
inspection. If, inadvertently, they are not detained at the
ante-mortem point, they may be identified by the muscle,
which is darker red than normal, along with the engorged
vessels supplying the viscera, a more pronounced picture
than with badly bled carcases (see below).
Judgement
Condemn.
Mastitis/metritis
Mastitis is usually associated with
staphylococci
or
strep-
tococci
and metritis with
staphylococci
,
Pasteurella
or
Listeria
monocytogenes.
Judgement
Judgement depends on the degree and
extent of the lesions and condition of the carcase, but
usually the carcase is unfit.
Tumours
It is difficult to distinguish between benign and malig-
nant tumours in the meat plant.
Judgement
Multiple or malignant tumours - reject
the carcase and offal. Single benign tumour - reject the
tumour and the surrounding tissue.
Badly bled carcases
In carcases which are insufficiently bled, the blood ves-
sels appear injected, the flesh is dark, and the organs
including lymph nodes are congested.
Judgement
Condemn.
Pasteurellosis
Pasteurellosis is a highly contagious disease of rabbits
caused by
Pasteurella multocida
. Rhinitis, bronchopneu-
monia, middle-ear disease, genital infection and abscesses
can occur and may result in septicaemia.
Injuries including bruising and broken bones
Injuries are quite common in the form of skin wounds,
due to fighting or scratching, and sore hocks. Infection
with
staphylococci
can follow with abscess formation.
