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Questions and Answers
What is the primary reason for taking the rectal temperature of animals pre-slaughter?
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?
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?
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?
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'?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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.
