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Questions and Answers
Which group of abnormalities indicates that an animal should not be slaughtered for human food?
Which group of abnormalities indicates that an animal should not be slaughtered for human food?
What must be done regarding temperature examination of animals prior to slaughter?
What must be done regarding temperature examination of animals prior to slaughter?
Which of these conditions is NOT a part of the signs that warrant special attention before slaughter?
Which of these conditions is NOT a part of the signs that warrant special attention before slaughter?
What is the primary goal of taking the animal's temperature before slaughter?
What is the primary goal of taking the animal's temperature before slaughter?
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Which animal condition must be carefully evaluated to differentiate between true fever and a rise in temperature due to stress?
Which animal condition must be carefully evaluated to differentiate between true fever and a rise in temperature due to stress?
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Which condition is NOT a reason for a cow to be categorized as a downer cow?
Which condition is NOT a reason for a cow to be categorized as a downer cow?
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What is a common factor leading to the Downer Cow condition categorized under non-systemic causes?
What is a common factor leading to the Downer Cow condition categorized under non-systemic causes?
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At what age does the incidence of cancer eye among cattle typically peak?
At what age does the incidence of cancer eye among cattle typically peak?
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Which of the following is NOT a systemic factor associated with Downer Cow condition?
Which of the following is NOT a systemic factor associated with Downer Cow condition?
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What clinical sign might indicate that a cow is experiencing significant pain?
What clinical sign might indicate that a cow is experiencing significant pain?
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Which of the following conditions is associated with the inability to rise after recent calving?
Which of the following conditions is associated with the inability to rise after recent calving?
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Which breed has shown a hereditary basis related to cancer eye?
Which breed has shown a hereditary basis related to cancer eye?
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Which condition might result from stress during parturition?
Which condition might result from stress during parturition?
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What percentage of cattle affected with SCC are typically condemned on postmortem inspection?
What percentage of cattle affected with SCC are typically condemned on postmortem inspection?
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Under federal regulations, what condition will cause a carcass with epithelioma of the eye to be condemned?
Under federal regulations, what condition will cause a carcass with epithelioma of the eye to be condemned?
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What condition leads to the condemnation of the head in most cases during postmortem inspection for cattle with actinomycosis?
What condition leads to the condemnation of the head in most cases during postmortem inspection for cattle with actinomycosis?
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Why must all tuberculin reactors undergo a special postmortem examination?
Why must all tuberculin reactors undergo a special postmortem examination?
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What is a characteristic sign of actinobacillosis in cattle?
What is a characteristic sign of actinobacillosis in cattle?
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What occurs if tuberculosis lesions are detected in a carcass during inspection?
What occurs if tuberculosis lesions are detected in a carcass during inspection?
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Which of the following conditions does NOT typically lead to condemnation during postmortem inspection?
Which of the following conditions does NOT typically lead to condemnation during postmortem inspection?
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Which symptom is associated with abnormal bodily discharges in cattle?
Which symptom is associated with abnormal bodily discharges in cattle?
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Study Notes
Downer Cow Conditions
- Cows that are unable to rise are deemed "downer" cows and are not allowed for slaughter for meat due to BSE concerns
- Downer cow conditions include:
- Foot lesions
- Septic arthritis
- Recent calving (obturator nerve paralysis)
- Septic mastitis
- Broken back/injury
- Spinal abscess
Downer Cow Causes and Management
-
Systemic Causes:
- Hypocalcemia
- Hypophosphatemia
- Hypokalemia
- Hypomagnesemia
- Toxic mastitis or metritis
- Stress of parturition
-
Non-Systemic Causes:
- Calving paralysis
- Fractures due to falls
- Aortic thrombosis
- Vertebral abscess
- Vertebral fracture
Downer Cow Secondary Conditions:
-
Systemic Causes:
- Renal failure
- Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)
-
Non-Systemic Causes:
- Muscle ischemia & Tearing
- Sciatic nerve damage
- Hip luxation
- Fracture of a femoral head
Additional Considerations for Cattle
-
Emaciation vs Leanness:
- Emaciation is a serious condition, while leanness is often expected
- Parturition: Cows cannot be slaughtered until after giving birth.
- Signs of Pain: Grunting, grinding teeth, dysphagia are signs of pain
- Missing Eye: Suspect cancer eye (epithelioma)
Epithelioma (Cancer Eye)
- Caused by: Squamous cell carcinoma of the eye, a malignant neoplasm
- Economic Impact: Reduces carcass value and shortens productive lifespan
- Commonly Found: In Herefords, rarely before 4 years old, peak incidence at 8 years old.
- USDA Condemnation: Condemned if involves osseous structures or metastasized
Pre-Slaughter Inspections
-
Individual Inspection:
- At-rest
- In motion
- Poultry are exempt from in-motion inspections due to practicality
-
Temperature:
- Always advisable to take a rectal temperature prior to slaughter
- Helps determine wholesomeness and identify potential issues
Suspect Animal Handling:
-
Temperature:
-
Moribund animals:
- Rectal temperature of 96°F or lower
- Considered dying, should never be slaughtered
-
Downer Animals:
- Non-ambulatory, should not be at federal facilities
-
Moribund animals:
-
Tuberculin Reactors:
- Designated as US Suspects and undergo special post-mortem examination
- Carcass is condemned if TB lesions are confirmed
Post-Mortem Examination:
-
Actinomycosis:
- Affects bony tissue (lumpy jaw)
- Head is condemned
-
Actinobacillosis:
- Affects soft tissue (wooden tongue)
- Condemnation depends on tissue involvement
- Head condemned if mandibular/retropharyngeal lymph nodes and soft tissues of jaw and neck are involved
- Condemnation of entire carcass if the lung is involved
Other Considerations
- Injection Site Abscess: Suspect injection sites if present.
-
Abnormal Bodily Discharges:
- Nasal discharge
- Excessive salivation (ptyalism)
- Diarrhea
- Pus
- Bluetongue: A disease affecting cattle.
Summary
- The text provides an overview of factors leading to the downer cow condition, considerations during pre and post slaughter inspection of cattle, and specific diseases that affect cattle's wholesomeness.
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Description
This quiz covers the various conditions affecting downer cows, including systemic and non-systemic causes, secondary conditions, and management strategies. Understand the significant health issues that render cows unable to rise and the implications for animal welfare and food safety.
