Routine Post-Mortem Inspection of Bovines - Carcass and Organs

CARCASS AND ORGANS- EXAMINATION

Carcass

  • The carcass is examined externally for bruising on injuries especially to the angle of the paunch and of the pelvic cavity.
  • Inspection of thoracic and abdominal cavities should be made for inflammation, abscesses and T.B. Diaphragm may be lifted and the T.B. lesion may be hidden between the diaphragm and thoracic wall.
  • Cut surface of the carcass bones should be examined. Kidneys loosened and visually inspected and the renal lymph nodes incised.
  • If the above routine examination reveals no abnormality the carcass may be passed for food.
  • When a disease or other abnormal condition is found during the routine postmortem examination the carcass and its parts are retained for a final examination which is more extensive then would otherwise be given to the carcass.
  • In those cases where the abnormal condition is benign and localized the inspector disposed off the localized condition summarily.
  • If no other abnormal condition is found during the inspection the normal portion of the carcass and its parts are passed for food without requiring it to be retained for final examination.
  • Carcasses, parts of carcasses and accompanying viscera, are found to be unfit for food are condemned by inspector and placed in condemned meat room to be properly disposed off under his own supervision.
  • Where T.B. has been found on routine examination it is customary to in incise the following carcass lymph nodes; prepectoral, nodes of upper and lower thoracic wall, prescapular, lumbar, precrural, external and internal iliacs, superficial inguinal and the popliteal.
  • Inspection of the mesenteric lymph nodes by making longitudinal incisions through them for Tuberculosis especially and also for the general conditions of the lymph nodes of the carcass.

Organs

  • A rapid examination is made of the head, lungs, heart, liver, spleen, stomach and intestines, (Uterus and Udder) if stamped healthy.
  • These organs are wheeled off in a tray for the preparation of tripe etc. If there is an evidence of Tuberculosis or some other affection, the abdominal content or contents are marked for destruction.
Last modified: Wednesday, 12 October 2011, 9:49 AM