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What is the primary reason for taking the rectal temperature of animals pre-slaughter?
Which of the following conditions must NOT be present in animals intended for slaughter?
What must be differentiated from a true fever when taking rectal temperatures?
Which of the following does NOT constitute a reason for further inspection of an animal by the PHV?
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What is the consequence for animals classified as 'downers'?
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What percentage of cattle affected with SCC that pass ante-mortem inspection are typically condemned on postmortem inspection?
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Under what condition will carcasses affected by epithelioma of the eye be condemned?
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In cases of Actinomycosis, what physical manifestation typically leads to the condemnation of the head during postmortem inspection?
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What must happen if tuberculin reactor cows show signs of TB lesions at the abattoir?
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Which of the following conditions leads to a carcass being condemned when affected by Actinobacillosis?
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Which of the following conditions is NOT associated with the 'Downer Cow' syndrome?
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What is the consequence for healthy tuberculin reactor cows during postmortem inspection?
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What is a common sign to identify the presence of epithelioma of the eye in cattle?
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Which of the following is a primary systemic factor that contributes to the Downer Cow condition?
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What types of abnormalities might lead to condemnation at postmortem inspection aside from cancerous conditions?
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What is the peak age of incidence for epithelioma, commonly known as cancer eye, in cattle?
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Which of the following signs would indicate a cow is experiencing pain?
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Which bacterial condition can lead to a Downer Cow condition after calving due to nerve paralysis?
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What effect does a missing eye in a cow indicate regarding potential health issues?
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Which condition is a secondary non-systemic factor associated with the Downer Cow syndrome?
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Which of the following factors is NOT classified as a systemic condition related to Downer Cow syndrome?
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Study Notes
Downer Cows
- Cows that cannot rise are considered "downer" cows.
- Reasons for Downer cows include:
- Foot lesions
- Septic arthritis
- Recent calving (obturator nerve paralysis)
- Septic mastitis
- Broken back/injury
- Spinal abscess
- Downer cows are never slaughtered for human consumption due to the potential for disease.
Systemic and Non-systemic Factors contributing to Downer Cows
-
Systemic Factors
- Hypocalcemia
- Hypophosphatemia
- Hypokalemia
- Hypomagnesemia
- Toxic mastitis or metritis
- Stress of parturition
-
Non-systemic Factors
- Calving paralysis
- Fractures due to falls
- Aortic thrombosis
- Vertebral abscess
- Vertebral fracture
- Renal failure
- DIC
- Muscle ischemia & Tearing
- Sciatic nerve damage
- Hip luxation
- Fracture of a femoral head
Other Important Points
- Cows cannot be slaughtered for meat during parturition.
- Signs of pain in cattle include:
- Grunting
- Grinding teeth
- Dysphagia
- If a cow is missing an eye, suspect epithelioma (cancer eye).
Epithelioma (Cancer Eye)
- A malignant neoplastic growth affecting the eye and orbital region
- Most common cattle neoplasm found at slaughter
- Can result in condemnation of the carcass or reduced salvage value
- Seldom occurs before 4 years of age, peak incidence at 8 years old
- Has a hereditary basis, most common in Herefords.
Ante Mortem Inspection
- All species are inspected individually on the day of slaughter.
- Inspection includes:
- At-Rest
- In-motion
- Poultry are exempt due to impracticality.
Important to Consider
- It's always recommended to take rectal temperature of animals pre-slaughter.
- This assists in determining wholesomeness, especially if abnormalities are found post-mortem.
- A higher than normal rectal temperature requires differentiation from true fever (disease).
Moribund Animals
- Livestock with a rectal temperature of 96°F or less are considered moribund (dying).
- Such animals should never be slaughtered for human food.
Epithelioma (Cancer Eye)
- Under federal meat inspection regulations, carcasses of animals affected with epithelioma of the eye or orbital region are condemned if:
- It involves osseous structures of the head with extensive infection, suppuration, and necrosis.
- There is metastasis from the eye or orbital region to lymph nodes, internal organs, muscles, skeleton, or other structures, regardless of the extent of the primary tumor.
Examination for Abnormalities
- Inspect for:
- Injuries and fractures
- Abnormal growths or swellings (actinomycosis, actinobacillosis)
- Abnormal enlargements (hernias)
- Abnormalities of skin, mucous membranes (signs of FMD, orf, injection sites)
- Abnormal bodily discharges (nasal discharge, excessive salivation, diarrhea, pus)
Actinomycosis & Actinobacillosis
-
Actinomycosis:
- Affects bony tissue (lumpy jaw).
- Causes a hard enlargement of the mandible.
- Only the head is condemned.
-
Actinobacillosis:
- Affects soft tissue (wooden tongue).
- Affects mandibular and retropharyngeal lymph nodes, and the soft tissues of the jaw and neck.
- If the lung is involved, the entire carcass is condemned.
Injection Site Abscess
- An injection site abscess can be identified on ante-mortem inspection.
Bluetongue
- Bluetongue is a disease that can affect cattle.
Tuberculosis (TB)
- All tuberculin reactors are classified as "suspect" and require a special postmortem examination.
-
Postmortem examination:
- Inspect lymph nodes and organs for TB signs.
- If lesions are found, tissues are sent to the National Veterinary Services Laboratories for confirmation.
- If TB is confirmed, the carcass is condemned.
-
Healthy Reactors:
- No clinical signs on ante-mortem inspection.
- No lesions on postmortem inspection.
- Carcasses of healthy reactors are passed for cooking.
Conditions that Warrant Suspect Inspection (Ante-Mortem)
- TB reactors
- Minor epithelioma of the eye or orbital region.
- Signs of a Foreign Animal Disease
Important Points
-
CNS diseases:
- Examine for signs of rabies, listeriosis, and toxins.
-
Lameness
- Lameness requires further investigation.
-
Depression or disinterest:
- A sign of potential concerns.
-
Downer Cows:
- Never allowed in Federal facilities.
- 10-15% of cattle affected with SCC that pass ante-mortem inspection are condemned post-mortem.
Scrapie
- Scrapie is a disease that can affect sheep.
Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE)
- BSE can affect cattle.
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Description
This quiz explores the factors contributing to downer cows, including both systemic and non-systemic causes. Understand the implications for animal welfare and human consumption. Test your knowledge on this important aspect of cattle health.
