ANTE-MORTEM INSPECTION OF MEAT ANIMALS

ANTE-MORTEM INSPECTION OF MEAT ANIMALS
Antemortem examination of meat animal is of prime importance from public health point of view. It is the initial step in detection of any sign of disease, distress, injury etc. which helps in taking appropriate decision before slaughter of animal. It should be done properly and systematically by qualified and experienced veterinarian which will in turn help in maintaining high standards of meat quality.
Ante mortem Examination of meat animals awaiting slaughter is very necessary in order to produce to whole some meat and thus safeguard the health of meat consumers. It should be conducted 12-24 hrs before slaughter by qualified veterinarians in fairage pens. Hence, layout and construction of large should be such that it provides proper light and provision of an isolation pen for diseased and injured animals. It should be ensured that animals are not subjected to any kind of cruelty. A number of para-veterinary staff should also be at hand to help in the Examination. All animals meant for slaughter should be rested at least for 24 hours and should not be fed for at least 12 hours before slaughter but they should be provided with plenty of water.
Objectives

1. Detection of animals suffering from scheduled infectious diseases which are communicable to man. 2. To detect certain diseases which are toxic or contagious and whose identification is either difficult or impossible during post mortem, e.g. tetanus, rabies, farcy, listeriosis, septic metritis, sturdy in sheep etc. 3. To prevent food poisoning out breaks e.g. in salmonellosis carcass or organs show little noticeable change on post mortem 4. To make postmortem examination more efficient, accurate and less laborious. 5. To protect the health of butchers and slaughter house personnel. 6. To prevent unnecessary contamination of building and equipment of the abattoir. 7. To implement disease control programme with more precision by tracing back the source of disease. Ante-mortem Examination procedure It should be carried out in two stages

ANTE-MORTEM INSPECTION PROCEDURE
Stage I
General examination : Meat animals should be observed in the lairage pens during rest as well as in motion. The general behaviour, reflexes, fatigue, excitement, gait, posture. Evidence of cruelty, level of nutrition, symptoms of diseases, or any other abnormalities should be closely observed.
Stage II
Detailed examination: Suspected or diseased animals should be segregated for detailed examination. Their temperature, pulse rate and respiration rate should be recorded. Animals showing elevated temperature and systematic disturbance should be detailed for further inspection and treatment in the isolation pen
Principles of judgement in Antemortem Examination

1. Fit for slaughter- Animals which are normal and free from any symptoms of disease should be sent for sacrifice
2. Unfit for slaughter- highly emaciated, skin bound animals and those affected with tetanus or communicable diseases like rabies etc. or diseases which can not be treated should be declared unfit for slaughter. 3. Suspects- All suspected animals need further attention. Some animals with localized condition and recovered cases should be passed for slaughter as suspect with instructions for careful postmortem examination. i. Detained animals Some animals need to be detained for specified period of time for treatment of disease or excretion of known toxic residence. ii. Emergency slaughter It is recommended in cases where the animal is in acute pain or is suffering from a condition where any delay in slaughter would be contrary to the welfare of animal. It is done under strict supervision so that there is no hazard to the consumer health
   • Livestock should be inspected while at rest and in motion.
   • In case of sick or diseased animals and those in poor conditions, the species, class, age, condition, colour and marking are recorded.
   • Special attention must be paid to casualty and emergency slaughter, none of which should escape ante-mortem.
   • The general behavior of the animals, their level of nutrition, cleanliness obvious signs of disease and any abnormalities should be observed.
   • In addition to the segregation of diseased and suspected stock, females in estrus, aggressive animals and horned and polled stock should be isolated.
   • An effective reporting system should operate from the ante-mortem area giving details of normal stock released for slaughter as well as those affected with a localized condition or one not advanced enough to render them unfit for slaughter.
   • Animals showing signs of systematic disturbance and an elevated temperature should not be slaughtered but retained for treatment preferably outside the meat plant.
   • The immediate purpose of ante-mortem inspection is to separate normal and abnormal stock.
   • Normal animals are sent forward for slaughter, abnormal animals being classified as either unfit for slaughter or affected with a localized condition or one which will show post-mortem lesions.
   Stock unfit for slaughter
   • These includes emaciated animals, those affected with certain diseases, such as tetanus or a communicable disease, e.g. rabies and those know to be carrying toxic residues, although these may be held until the residues are excreted.
   Localized conditions
   • Animals showing evidence of localized condition such as injuries, fractures, abscesses benign tumors (e.g. papillomata) or condition which will show up lesions on post-mortem inspection need to be segregated and given a detailed examination such animals are passed forward for slaughter as part of the regular kill if the condition proves to be a minor one or slaughtered separately and given a through post-mortem examination.
   Suspect
   • Suspect animals sent for slaughter must be clearly marked and accompanied by a full veterinary report not only for the information of the meat inspection staff but also to inform operatives in lairage and slaughter line of the existence of any communicable diseases.
   • Ante-mortem signs, post-mortem findings and the results of any laboratory tests are all considered in making final judgment on the carcass and offal.
   • Recumbent animals should be given special attention, the nature and extent of the disease involved will determine subsequent, action i.e. immediate condemnation, passing for immediate slaughter or holding for further examination.
   • In the handling slaughter and carcass dressing of animals, which may represent a source of infection to plant, staff should be handled with the greatest care.
   • Such animals should be handled separately from normal stock; staff should wash hands and arms frequently; avoid cuts and contaminating of the eyes with body fluids, etc.
   MORIBUND CASES AND CONDEMNED CASES
   • Those classified as “condemned” e.g. animals affected with tetanus and “moribund” cases, should be identified with a “condemned” tag, and consigned to the inedible by-products department, a detailed post-mortem examination if necessary, being carried out before hand.
   • On occasions, dead animals will be countered during ante-mortem inspection.
   • Anthrax must be borne in mind, a blood smear taken, stained with anthrax is polychrome ethylene blue and examined for B. anthracis.
   • When Anthrax is eliminated, hypo-magnesium tetany to be considered in cows in good condition held over night in wintertime.
   • Observation of dead animals the nature and color of blood from the natural orifices is of great value in determining Anthrax or otherwise the blood is dark and tarry in case of Anthrax if it is light red & thin in nature it in unlikely to be Anthrax.
   • The onus on the Veterinary Surgeon is to obtain a blood smear at the outset.
   • The importance of ante-mortem inspection (AM) may well be further emphasized in the future by the institution of pre-slaughter tests, e.g. the use of a modified enzyme – labeled antibody (ELA) test in the detection of certain parasitic on other latent conditions.
   • Such procedures would change the nature of current post-mortem examination techniques.
   • The importance of ante-mortem inspection (AM) will be emphasized by the institution of pre-slaughter tests, e.g. the use of a modified enzyme – labeled antibody (ELA) test in the detection of certain parasitic on other latent conditions.
   • Such procedures would change the nature of current post-mortem examination techniques.
   SIGNIFICANCE OF ANTE-MORTEM INSPECTION

S. No Condition Symptoms Ante-mortem Significance

1. Anthrax: Forage poisoning Fever, boldly diarrhea and red dark blood discharge from natural orifices U, D.
   2 Actinomycosis Lumpy jaw – a chronic granulomatous disease CU S.
2. Actinobacillosis Wooden tongue – fibrous tissue causing enlargement and hardening of tongue CU S.
3. Black Quarter Severe inflammation of muscles followed by crepitating swelling on shoulder, neck, breast, loins or thigh. U.
4. Foot and Mouth Disease Dullness, depressed appetite, lameness, salivation U
5. Listeriosis (Circling Disease) Stiffness of neck, inco-ordinated movement of limbs, paralysis of muscles of jaws and pharynx U. P. S.
6. Rabies Manifestation of neurological disorders U.
7. Salmonellosis Severe diarrhea with foul smell, many contain blood, fever, loss of appetite, dullness, dehydration U
8. Swine Erysipelas Acute septicaemia, skin lesions, chronic arthritis and vegetative endocarditis CU S.
9. Selenium Poisoning Peeling of skin U. P. S.
10. Swine fever (Hog cholera) Acute highly contagious disease – septicaemia in the form of multiple haemorrhages U
11. Tetanus Acute highly fatal infective disease characterized by spasmodic contraction of voluntary muscles especially masseter muscle often causing lock jaw condition U, D.
12. Tuberculosis Chronic inflammation of lungs, swelling of retropharyngeal lymph gland Generalised – U Localised – S
13. White Scour in Calves Large abscess in the abdominal wall near umbilicus which becomes hard and swollen CU S.
    Note:
    • U – Unfit for slaughter
    • P – Postpone slaughter and treat
    • S – Handle as suspect
    • D – Destroy and dispose
    • CU – Conditionally Unfit

Compiled  & Shared by- Team, LITD (Livestock Institute of Training & Development)

 

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