VMD 511: Animal Welfare, Ethics and Jurisprudence (2+0)

RIGOR MORTIS

• Sets in
• 2-3 hrs after death in hot climates
• Relaxation occurs after 12 hrs
• Duration doubled in cases of winter climate.
• Delayed in
  • Well fed, well rested animal.
• Quick setting in
• Death due to heat stroke, racing animals, high environment temperature, weak emaciated animal due to tetanus.

Rigor mortis

• 1st stage: Acidic muscles (relaxation with Contractibility).
• 2^nd stage: Complete rigidity.
• 3^rd stage: Alkaline (Flaccidity with contractibility).

Setting of Rigor mortis

• From head, forelimbs (quarter) and hind limbs (quarter) and tail.