Disposition manual for red meat species

Ante-mortem:

• fever
• pallor of the mucous membrane
• weakness/depression
• poor condition; respiratory distress

• ■ Condemn severely affected animals.
• ■ Otherwise, treat as suspect.

Post-mortem:

• lighter colour of the carcass
• blood that does not coagulate properly
• splenomegaly
• poor body condition

• ■ Condemn the carcass when it shows systemic signs or when the carcass is too anemic to produce safe and suitable meat (as shown by severe muscle pallor) and report as "Anemia".
• ■ Otherwise, pass the carcass.

Ante-mortem:

• mastititis
• orchitis
• farm history of abortion
• lameness

It is unlikely that animals affected with brucellosis will be presented to an abattoir except for those animals licensed to be transported directly to an establishment as serological reactors or their contacts.

• ■ Treat as suspect all animals licensed to be transported directly to an establishment.

Post-mortem:

• ■ Condemn the carcass when it shows systemic signs and report as "Brucellosis" in the case of an animal licensed to be transported directly to an establishment.
• ■ Carcasses affected with localized lesions of brucellosis may be passed as edible after the affected parts are removed. The udder, genital organs and the related lymph nodes of an animal licensed to be transported directly to an establishment, regardless of the presence of lesions, must be removed.

Ante-mortem:

• lethargy
• fever
• emaciation
• pneumonia/respiratory distress
• enlargement of superficial lymph nodes

• ■ Condemn severely affected animals.
• ■ Otherwise, treat as suspect.

Post-mortem:

• Poor body condition;
• enlarged lymph nodes;
• abscess lesion(s) with greenish to white-yellow caseous material, which tends to become dry and granular:
  • these lesions are located in lymph nodes and/or organs such as lungs, heart, liver, spleen, and kidneys
  • in certain species, the abscess lesions may show concentric rings similar to those seen on the cut surface of an onion

• ■ Condemn the carcass and report as "Caseous lymphadenitis" in the following situation:
  • The carcass shows systemic signs.
  • The carcass is thin and exhibits generalized lesions of either the visceral or body lymph nodes.
  • The carcass is well nourished but shows generalized lesions of the visceral and body lymph nodes.
• ■ Otherwise, remove affected parts.

Ante-mortem:

• Difficulty breathing;
• weakness,
• enlargement (swelling) of the areas underneath the jaw, brisket, belly or lower limbs.

• ■ Condemn severely affected animals.
• ■ Otherwise, treat as suspect.

Post-mortem:

• wet looking tissue that pits under pressure
• accumulation of clear to yellow fluid in the affected tissue or free fluid within the chest or abdomen
• affected organs appear full and rounded

• ■ Condemn the carcass when lesions are generalized and report as "Edema".
• ■ Otherwise, remove affected parts.

Ante-mortem:

• weakness
• poor condition
• sunken eyes
• rough and/or patchy hair coat
• prominent bony structures (for example, spinous processes of the vertebrae, hip bones, ribs, etc.)

• ■ Condemn severely affected animals.
• ■ Otherwise, treat as suspect.

Post-mortem:

• poor body condition
  • reduction in the size of the organs, particularly the liver, spleen, and muscular tissue
  • reduction in the amount of fat tissue
• serous infiltration and degenerative change to visceral and body fat referred to as "Serous atrophy of fat" or "mucoid degeneration":
  • the remaining fat may have a jelly-like appearance, a viscous feel and a yellow colour
  • this is especially apparent around the base of the heart, around the kidneys and between the spinous processes of the vertebrae
• flabby appearance of the muscular tissue
• a moist appearance

• ■ Condemn the carcass and report as "Emaciation" when all clinical signs mentioned above are found and no other underlying cause can explain the clinical lesions.
• ■ Pass the carcass when the carcass has a poor body condition without signs of serous atrophy of fat.
• ■ In some cases, serous atrophy of fat may be present without any of the other signs of emaciation (for example, carcasses derived from bulls after completion of a heavy service). In such cases, the carcass should be held in the cooler for up to 48 hours before making a final judgment.
  • Pass the carcass if the fat returns to a normal consistency.
  • Otherwise, condemn the carcass and report as "Serous atrophy of fat".

Including "Diamond skin disease".

Ante-mortem:

• weakness
• fever
• lameness
• enlarged joints
• diamond shaped skin lesions

• ■ Condemn severely affected animals.
• ■ Otherwise, treat as suspect.

Post-mortem:

• diamond/rhomboid shaped scars or similarly shaped red swollen lesions on the skin
• generalized lymph node enlargement
• arthritis
• endocarditis

• ■ Condemn the carcass when the carcass shows:
  • systemic signs and report as "Erysipelas"
  • active skin lesions demonstrated by red areas extending into the tissue under the skin and report as "Erysipelas"; or
  • condemnation criteria for arthritis or endocarditis;
• ■ Otherwise, remove the affected parts.

Ante-mortem:

• yellow coloured skin in areas of the animal with little or no hair
• yellow sclera
• weakness

• ■ Condemn severely affected animals.
• ■ Otherwise, treat as suspect.

Post-mortem:

• generalized yellow discolouration of tissues including the sclera, cartilage, organs arteries and joint surfaces
• abnormal colour of the kidney ranging from bright red to dark red and even reddish black
• liver lesions or degenerative lesions of the liver; and
• enlargement or congestion of the spleen

Feeding practices may influence the colour of fat in animals leading to yellow colouration. The fat tissues of certain breeds can also be yellow in colour. In such cases, normal carcasses can be differentiated from icteric carcasses by the fact their cartilage, connective tissue, sclera and renal pelvis are not affected.

• ■ Condemn the carcass and report as "Icterus" when the carcass shows:
  • severe discolouration (that is, carcass and parts have a bright yellow or greenish-yellow colour);
  • discolouration associated with severe liver/kidneys lesions or pronounced affliction of the spleen;
  • lesions associated with systemic signs.
• ■ Otherwise, in cases of slight discolouration, the carcass can be held in the cooler for up to 24 hours before making a final judgment.
  • Pass the carcass if the condition dissipates.
  • Otherwise, condemn the carcass.

Ante-mortem:

• enlargement of superficial lymph nodes
• fever

• ■ Condemn severely affected animals.
• ■ Otherwise, treat as suspect.

Post-mortem:

• non granulomatous enlargement of lymph nodes

• ■ Condemn the carcass and report as "Lymphadenitis" when the carcass shows systemic signs or generalized lesions.
• ■ Otherwise, if only localised lymphadenopathy is found, an underlying condition usually exists. Refer to the applicable disposition.

Post-mortem:

• dark pigmentation of normal tissue (for example, skin, muscle, spinal meninges, etc.).

Clinical signs must be clearly distinguished from melanoma (see section 9.2).

• ■ Remove localised lesion(s) of melanosis.
• ■ Melanotic changes of spinal nerves extending into the meat will be removed. However, melanin colouration of the spinal meninges alone is insignificant and does not need removal. In swine, affected skin may need to be removed for suitability reasons (operator responsibility).

Ante-mortem:

• severe depression and lethargy
• fever or hypothermia
• recumbancy
• dilated pupils
• lack of response to external stimuli
• convulsions or other involuntary movements

• ■ Condemn affected animals.

Ante-mortem:

• odour related to:
  • a diet (for example, fish, garlic)
  • a sexual odour
  • a chemical (for example, polychlorinated hydrocarbons), or a medicinal drug (for example, camphorated products, turpentine); or
  • a pathological condition (for example, abscess, gangrene, clostridial infection, ketosis, etc.)

• ■ If the odour is related to a pathological condition, refer to relevant pathology and dispose of accordingly.
• ■ Otherwise, treat as suspect.

Note:
Slaughter of the affected animals may also be delayed if it is believed that such a measure will allow the odour to dissipate.

Post-mortem:

• odour, localised or generalized, that may be related to:
  • a diet (for example, fish, garlic)
  • a sexual odour (musky odour associated to male carcasses)
  • a chemical (for example, polychlorinated hydrocarbons, ammonia contamination), or a medicinal drug (for example, camphorated products, turpentine)
  • a pathological condition (for example, abscess, gangrene, a clostridial infection, ketosis, etc.)

The following guiding principles can be used to develop an acceptable program:

• Affected carcasses and their parts may be chilled for up to 48 hours in an attempt to dissipate the odour. If the odour completely dissipates, carcass and parts can be used without restriction.
• Affected carcasses and parts with a strong persistent sexual odour are rejected.
• Carcasses and parts affected to a lesser extent are properly identified, controlled, and treated as required.
  • Affected carcasses and their parts may be sold without other treatment provided that meat products derived from them are adequately described and labelled (for example, "billy goat roast", "boar shoulder"). This ensures that buyers are not being misled as to the quality of the product and preparation needed.
  • Alternatively, these meat products can be used in the fabrication of certain prepared meat products where the odour and peculiar taste will no longer be detectable. In this this case a special mention on the label would not be required (for example, for a pepperoni, the term "goat" could be listed as an ingredient instead of "billy goat"; "pork" instead of "boar").
• Usage of quality assessment tools (for example, using customer tasting boards and sensorial analyses) as well as data demonstrating absence of consumer/trading partner complaint is considered evidence the control program is acceptable.

Note:
Swine establishment operators may use "Appendix 1" of this annex as a model to manage swine products in order to control boar taint in meat products derived from intact male pigs.

Ante-mortem:

• varying levels of depression and lethargy
• fever or hypothermia

• ■ Condemn severely affected animals.
• ■ Otherwise, treat as suspect.

Post-mortem:

• multifocal subserous hemorrhages, which often affect several organs (mostly the endocardium and epicardium)
• submucosal hemorrhages of the trachea
• congestion and oedema of various organs, especially those of the lymphatic system (hepatomegaly and splenomegaly are often present)
• sites of infection of embolic origin in various organs
• peripheral vasodilatation

• ■ Condemn the carcass and report as "Septicemia/toxemia".

Ante-mortem:

• scab and/or open wound on the tip of the tail stub
• enlargement of the sacral spine
• enlargement of joints
• emaciation
• lethargy
• lameness

• ■ Condemn severely affected animals.
• ■ Otherwise, treat as suspect.
• ■ Pass for slaughter without restriction animals presenting only scab formation.

Post-mortem:

• abscess formation in tail and sacral spine
• abscess formation in or near joints
• embolic/lymphatic spread to abdominal and/or thoracic organs

• ■ Condemn the carcass and report as "Abscess" when the carcass shows systemic signs or generalized lesions.
• ■ Remove affected parts when the carcass has lesions localised to the tail and sacral spine.

Ante-mortem:

• lethargy
• fever
• emaciation
• subcutaneous lymph node enlargement

• ■ Condemn severely affected animals.
• ■ Otherwise, treat as suspect. Any animal licensed to be transported directly to an establishment because of suspicion for bovine tuberculosis will be treated as suspect and will be subject to any additional inspection and sampling procedures, for the purposes of epidemiological surveillance, as per Animal Health policy regarding Bovine Tuberculosis.

Post-mortem:

• lymphatic enlargement and/or granuloma^Footnote 1 in the primary sites of infection (primary lesions), namely:
  • the lymph nodes of the head
  • the lymph nodes of the lungs
  • the mesenteric lymph nodes (including the hepatic lymph nodes)
• systemic lesions resulting from spread of the infection from the primary site (secondary lesion), namely:
  • bacteremia/septicemia
  • granuloma found in muscle, intermuscular tissue, bone, joint, abdominal organ (excluding the gastrointestinal tract) or in any lymph node as a result of draining a muscle, bone, joint, or abdominal organ (excluding the gastrointestinal tract)
  • extensive lesions in tissues of either the thoracic or the abdominal cavity
  • emaciation
  • multiple, acute, and actively progressive lesions
  • lesion that is not indicative of a localized condition because of its character or extent

When a granuloma is detected in:

• at least 1 of the primary sites, in the case of red meat animal other than a swine; OR
• both mandibular and mesenteric lymph nodes in the case of a swine animal;

the following lymph nodes (if available) will be incised and examined for the presence of granuloma: caudal deep cervical, superficial cervical, hepatic, renal, superficial inguinal (scrotal or mammary), medial iliac, subiliac and deep popliteal.

Ante-mortem:

• enlarged belly especially the lower belly (waterbelly/uroabdomen)
• tail twitching
• restlessness
• frequent attempts to urinate

• ■ Condemn severely affected animals.
• ■ Otherwise, treat as suspect.

Post-mortem:

• yellowish fluid in the abdomen and/or chest
• fluid collection under the skin
• urine odour
• severely cystic kidneys
• kidney or bladder stones
• nephritis
• previous surgery related to urethral obstruction
• ruptured bladder and related peritonitis

• ■ Condemn the carcass and report as "Uremia" when the carcass has:
  • generalized urine odour; or
  • systemic signs.

Note:
In cases where there is localized contamination with urine (for example, bladder incision during evisceration), remove affected parts.

Ante-mortem:

• fever
• lameness
• emaciation
• lethargy

• ■ Condemn severely affected animals.
• ■ Otherwise, treat as suspect.

Post-mortem:

• vegetative lesion on valve and endocardium
• embolic lesions in internal organs, especially the kidneys and lungs

Presence of embolic lesions in internal organs will trigger an in-depth evaluation of the internal surface of the heart (especially the heart valves).

• ■ Condemn the carcass and report as "Endocarditis" when the carcass shows valvular lesions with active/acute embolic lesions in other internal organ(s).
• ■ Remove affected parts when the carcass shows:
  • no embolic spread; or
  • previous embolic spread but lesions are chronic/resolved

Including "Traumatic reticulitis complex".

Ante-mortem:

• jugular pulse
• enlargement of tissue under the jaw or brisket
• shallow rapid breathing
• fever
• weakness
• excitement or depression
• emaciation

• ■ Condemn severely affected animals.
• ■ Otherwise, treat as suspect.

Post-mortem:

• hard or fluid pus covering the outside of the heart
• fluid accumulation in the chest or abdomen
• edema especially under the jaw, belly and lower limbs
• a foreign body protruding from the reticular area through the abdomen into the chest

• ■ Condemn the carcass and report as "Pericarditis" when the carcass shows systemic signs or an acute and extensive infection.
• ■ Otherwise, remove the affected parts.

Ante-mortem:

• increased respiratory rate
• shallow breathing
• emaciation
• wide based stance of the front legs
• fever
• depression or excitement

• ■ Condemn severely affected animals.
• ■ Otherwise, treat as suspect.

Post-mortem:

• fluid in the chest cavity
• adhesions in the chest cavity
• foul smelling clumpy pus in the chest cavity
• walled off pockets of pus
• redness in the chest cavity
• enlargement of lymph nodes associated with the chest cavity

• ■ Condemn the carcass and report as "Pleuritis" when the carcass shows systemic signs or an acute and extensive infection.
• ■ Otherwise, remove the affected parts.

Ante-mortem:

• increased respiratory rate and/or effort
• fever
• emaciation
• lethargy

• ■ Condemn severely affected animals.
• ■ Otherwise, treat as suspect.

Post-mortem:

• lesions in the lungs and associated lymph nodes
• pleural lesions including adhesions and abscessation
• emaciation
• septicemia

• ■ Condemn the carcass and report as "Pneumonia" when the carcass shows:
  • systemic signs; or
  • acute and extensive lesion(s) with or without pleuritis.
• ■ Otherwise, remove affected parts.

Ante-mortem:

• loose watery feces with or without bloody stool
• voluminous or frequent defaecation
• gaunt belly
• weakness
• sunken eyes
• teeth grinding

• ■ Condemn severely affected animals.
• ■ Otherwise, treat as suspect.

Post-mortem:

• enlarged or reddened areas of the gastro-intestinal tract
• enlarged lymph nodes associated with the gastro-intestinal tract
• degeneration of areas of the gastro-intestinal tract
• peritonitis

• ■ Condemn the carcass and, as applicable, report as "Gastritis" or "Enteritis" when the carcass shows:
  • systemic signs;
  • acute and extensive lesion(s); or
  • condemnation criteria for peritonitis (see section 8.4).
• ■ Otherwise, remove the affected parts.

Ante-mortem:

• fever
• teeth grinding
• yellow exposed skin and sclera
• depression or excitement

• ■ Condemn severely affected animals.
• ■ Otherwise, treat as suspect.

Post-mortem:

• enlarged friable liver with rounded edges
• icterus/jaundice
• peritonitis
• enlarged abdominal lymph nodes

Rarely is hepatitis a primary cause to warrant full carcass condemnation. Acute viral hepatitis in swine would be an exception.

• ■ Condemn the carcass when the carcass shows:
  • systemic signs and report as "Hepatitis"; or
  • condemnation criteria for icterus/jaundice (see section 6.7) or peritonitis (see section 8.4).
• ■ Otherwise, remove the affected parts.

Ante-mortem:

• red tinged urine
• purulent material in the urine or near the sheath/vulva
• frequent attempts to urinate
• fever
• emaciation
• lethargy

• ■ Condemn severely affected animals.
• ■ Otherwise, treat as suspect.

Post-mortem:

• lesions in the kidney(s) such as inflammation, necrosis, abscess, fibrosis
• associated lymphadenopathy
• urine odour
• emaciation
• septicemia/toxemia

• ■ Condemn the carcass and, as applicable, report as "nephritis" or "Pyelonephritis" when the carcass shows:
  • systemic signs;
  • presence of uremia (see section 6.15); or
  • acute and extensive lesion(s) as a consequence of a vegetative valvular endocarditis (see section 7.1).
• ■ Otherwise, remove the affected parts.

Including "Traumatic reticulitis complex".

Ante-mortem:

• depression or excitation
• emaciation
• shallow rapid breathing
• fever
• sunken eyes

• ■ Condemn severely affected animals.
• ■ Otherwise, treat as suspect.

Post-mortem:

• hard or fluid pus in the belly
• reddening of the surface of the abdominal wall and gastro-intestinal tract surfaces
• fibrinous to fibrous adhesions on the abdominal wall and gastro-intestinal tract surfaces
• enlargement of lymph nodes associated with the abdomen

• ■ Condemn the carcass and report as "peritonitis" when the carcass shows:
  • systemic signs; or
  • acute and extensive lesion(s) (that is, extensive areas of reddening, exudate, and enlarged lymph nodes).
• ■ Otherwise, remove the affected parts (including adhesions).

Ante-mortem:

• extrusion of 1 of the parts or organs of the body (for example, rectum, uterus, etc.)

Animals with prolapses may need to be euthanized or sent immediately to slaughter after Ante-mortem examination and inspection.

See "Peritonitis" for disposition (see section 8.4).

Post-mortem:

• enlarged friable spleen
• generalized yellow brown coloured carcass with enlarged lymph nodes
• generalized petechia (that is, pinpoint red dots throughout the carcass)
• smaller and harder than normal spleen often surrounded by fluid and encased by the mesentery
• small nodules of normal looking spleen tissue

• ■ Condemn the carcass and report as "Septicemia / Toxemia" when the carcass shows a friable spleen, a generalized yellow brown colour and generalized vasodilation or petechiation in the carcass.
• ■ For carcasses showing icterus, follow the guidance in section 6.7.
• ■ Otherwise, remove the affected parts. Note that this will normally represent the vast majority of the cases.

Ante-mortem:

• lumps or enlargement(s)
• lameness
• fever
• emaciation
• lethargy

• ■ Condemn severely affected animals.
• ■ Otherwise, treat as suspect.

Post-mortem:

• walled-off pus
• local swelling
• reactive lymph nodes

• ■ Condemn the carcass and report as "Abscess" when the carcass shows systemic signs or generalized lesions.
• ■ Otherwise, remove the affected parts.

Note:
If one of the following part/organ is affected by a single abscess, that part/organ will be entirely determined as inedible (in other words, the organs cannot be trimmed of): brain, thymus, heart, lung, liver, spleen, kidney, mammary gland, testicle, pizzle, uterus.

Ante-mortem:

• dark pigmented growths

• ■ Treat as suspect.

Post-mortem:

• neoplastic tissue growth(s) dark in colour (tar-like appearance)
• ulcerative tissue growth(s) dark in colour
• palpable changes to tissue structure
• metastases to local lymph nodes
• metastases to internal organs such as the lungs/liver/spleen
• emaciation

When a lesion is suspect, evaluate associated lymph nodes and internal organs.

• ■ Condemn the carcass and report as "Melanoma" when the carcass shows:
  • metastasis; or
  • systemic signs;
• ■ Otherwise, remove the affected parts/areas.

This lesion is more common in old cattle resulting from complication of bovine leukemia virus infection and in market age swine. Other species may be affected as well.

Ante-mortem:

• enlargement of superficial lymph nodes
• emaciation / cachexia
• protrusion of the eye (consequence of neoplastic invasion of the eye cavity)
• diarrhea
• bloating
• breathing difficulties
• edema of the brisket and/or the intermandibular region
• skin nodule(s)

Since there are many different manifestations of the disease (that is, unspecific clinical lesions) which can be mistaken with other conditions, proper ante-mortem diagnosis is always difficult.

• ■ Condemn animals showing lesions highly suggestive of generalized lymphosarcoma or having history compatible with such conditions.
• ■ Otherwise, treat as suspect.

Post-mortem

• enlargement of one or more lymph nodes
• abnormal consistency (clay-like) of the lymph node(s)
• enlargement of the spleen
• neoplastic infiltration of different organs such as the heart, the digestive tract (for example, abomasum), the uterus and the eyes

• ■ Condemn the carcass and report as "Lymphosarcoma" when the carcass shows a single lesion of lymphosarcoma (regardless of the degree of involvement in the carcass).

Note:
In hogs, the enlargement of a single lymph node is often the only macroscopic lesion of the condition. The mandibular or medial iliac lymph nodes are often involved.

This lesion is also called "Epithelioma of the eye". It is more common in cattle. Other species may be affected as well.

Ante-mortem:

• neoplastic lesion(s) affecting the eye and/or associated structures (for example, the orbital region)
• infection, suppuration or necrosis, with or without a foul odour, of the lesion(s)
• destruction of the eye and the orbital region
• absence of 1 eye or associated structures
• emaciation/cachexia

• ■ Condemn when the animal presents:
  • eye and/or associated structures that are destroyed or obscured by neoplastic tissue and that show extensive infection, suppuration, or necrosis, usually accompanied with foul odour; or
  • lesion affecting the eye or the associated structures, regardless of extent, that is accompanied with cachexia.
• ■ Otherwise, treat as suspect.

Note:
Animals with ocular squamous cell carcinoma may need to be euthanized or sent immediately to slaughter after Ante-mortem examination and inspection.

Post-mortem:

• neoplastic lesion(s) to the eye and/or the orbital region
• neoplastic lesion(s) to 1 or multiple lymph node(s) (for example, parotid lymph node) or any other parts or organ (for example, lungs)
• absence of 1 eye or associated structures
• the osseous structures of the head with infection, suppuration, and necrosis
• emaciation

• ■ Condemn the carcass and report as "Ocular squamous cell carcinoma" if 1 of the following 3 conditions exists;
  • the condition has involved the osseous structures of the head with extensive infection, suppuration, and necrosis;
  • there is metastasis from the eye, or the orbital region, to any lymph node (for example, parotid lymph node) or any other parts, regardless of the extent of the primary tumor; or
  • the condition, regardless of extent, is associated with emaciation or other secondary systemic disturbances.
• ■ Otherwise, remove the affected parts (for example, the head, including the tongue).

Note:
When an animal exhibits the loss of 1 eye at the ante-mortem, treat it as suspect and thoroughly evaluate the head and carcass for the presence of metastasis and apply disposition criteria above. Regardless of the presence of lesions, the head and tongue will be removed.

This lesion is also called "Neurofibroma" or "Nerve sheath tumor". It is more common in cattle.

Post-mortem:

• multiple nodular enlargements along different nerves of the carcass affecting primarily the following target organs:
  • the heart and the mediastinal fat
  • the intercostal nerves
  • the brachial plexus and branching nerves
  • the nerves of the hind quarter
• neoplastic lesion(s) to the regional lymph nodes
• emaciation

When a lesion is found the following flow chart should be followed:

Description for flowchart - Figure #3: Schwannoma Flow Chart

Descriptive text for schwannoma flow chart:

This chart provides details on examination procedures and resulting decisions when a lesion of schwannoma is found.

The first box (level 1) consists of Examining the heart base, mediastinum, and intercostal nerves. Results from this examination are on level 2

• Level 2:

  • The left side box describes when no other lesions are found during examination of the heart base, mediastinum, and intercostal nerves: release carcass and dispose of affected tissue.

    The right side box describes detection of additional lesions during examination of the heart base, mediastinum, and intercostal nerves: proceed to examine brachial plexus and intercostal nerves. Results from this examination are on level 3.

• Level 3:

  • The left side box describes the finding of localised lesions: trim plexus and ribs, condemn heart, release carcass.

    The right side box describes the finding of further lesions in plexus: proceed to examine nerves over and under scapula and along thoracic wall. Results from this examination are on level 4.

• Level 4:

  • The left side box describes when there is no finding of extension to the muscle: trim nerves, release carcass.

    The right side box describes when further lesions are found in the muscle: condemn front quarter +/− thoracic wall and examine sciatic nerve. Results from this examination are on level 5.

• Level 5

  • The left side box describes when no sciatic nerve lesions are found: pass remnant of carcass.

    The right side box describes when further lesions in nerves of the hind quarter are found: go to level 6.

• Level 6
  • Describes when there is finding of extension to muscles: condemn hindquarters (total condemnation).

• ■ Condemn the carcass and report as "Schwannoma" when the carcass shows:
  • evidence of metastasis;
  • systemic signs; or
  • generalized lesions (that is, the evaluator reaches the bottom of the decision tree above).
• ■ Otherwise, remove the affected parts

Note:
Operator may remove all potential lesion(s) from a carcass at a step downstream (for example, in the deboning room) provided a program acceptable to the CFIA exists.

Ante-mortem:

• discrete raised lesions on the skin surface
• patches of raised areas on the skin surface
• weeping fluid from raised skin areas
• dark coloured crust material on the skin at or near raised areas

• ■ Treat as suspect severely affected animals.

Post-mortem:

• red, yellow, dark localized areas on the skin surface extending into deeper skin layers
• reactive lymph nodes associated with the area of the lesion

• ■ Remove the affected parts (for example, skin).

See section 6.6 on "Erysipelas".

This section provide guidance on "Arthritis" and "Degenerative Arthropathy"

Ante-mortem:

• enlargement of 1 or more joints
• lameness/abnormal locomotion
• tendency to remain lying on the ground
• difficulty rising
• reluctance to move or stand
• poor body condition (thin, emaciation)
• fever

• ■ Condemn severely affected animals.
• ■ Otherwise, treat as suspect.

Post-mortem:

• swollen joint(s) and obvious asymmetry of the joints
• enlargement of the associated lymph node (for example, medial iliac)
• abundant fluid in the joint (synovial fluid)
• cloudy synovial fluid that can contains fibrin/pus/debris/blood
• enlargement of the finger-like projections of the joint cavity lining
• reddening of joint lining
• articular cartilage is ulcerated or eroded
• cartilage is dry and slightly grainy in appearance
• swelling of tissues surrounding the joint
• thick fibrous tissue surrounding the joint(s)

• ■ Condemn the carcass and report as "Arthritis" or "Arthropathy" when the carcass shows:
  • systemic signs;
  • septic polyarthritis;
  • lesions indicating hematogenous dissemination (for example, lesions of purulent pneumonia, renal infarction, acute mastitis, acute metritis, vegetative endocarditis); or
  • generalized lesions.
• ■ Remove affected parts (including the associated lymph node(s)) when the carcass has localised lesions.

Notes:

• The lymph node(s) draining the area will be examined and incised, as necessary, to help determine which affected parts need to be removed.
  • With degenerative arthropathy, carcasses exhibiting only a slight osteochondrosis (that is, slight cartilage wear, clear synovial fluid and/or mild hyperemia of the synovial membrane) and no or little enlargement of the regional lymph node may be accepted as is.
  • With mild degenerative arthropathy, hygromas and bursitis of the tarsal/metatarsal joints with no hypertrophy of the medial iliac lymph nodes can be removed in a cooler or in the cutting/boning area of the slaughter establishment that has slaughtered the animal, provided the operator has implemented a program acceptable to CFIA for this procedure, which includes the identification and marking of the affected joints during the dressing procedure and before final carcass inspection.
• Care must be taken to avoid contamination of the meat products when a joint capsule is opened.

Ante-mortem:

Animals affected with Bovine cysticercosis will not show specific signs at the ante-mortem. However, an animal may be presented to an abattoir from an infested premise. Animals suspected to be infested with Cysticercus Bovis will be licensed to be transported directly to an establishment.

• ■ Treat as suspect all animals licensed to be transported directly to an establishment.

Note:
All animals received under licence will be subjected to enhanced post-mortem inspection procedures.

Post-mortem:

• Presence of cyst(s) in predilection sites such as the heart, tongue, masseters, oesophagus and diaphragm and its pillars;
• presence of cyst(s) in other muscles of the body;

If 1 or more carcasses in a lot are found to be affected with lesions suggestive of Cysticercus bovis during routine inspection (not sent under license to slaughter), all affected carcasses and their parts shall be held pending laboratory confirmation. As bovine cysticercosis is a reportable disease under the Health of Animals Act, the identity of the owner and the origin of the cattle must be established for follow up actions. However, in the case of affected carcasses originating from an identified infested premises (that is, animals which are sent for slaughter under license to transport), the disposition criteria below will be applied immediately (that is, no laboratory confirmation is required).

Note:
When a cyst-like structure determined to be suggestive of C. bovis is found in a carcass or its parts during routine inspection, the official veterinarian may request the operator to implement additional measures to ensure the food safety and suitability of meat products derived from animals submitted from the same producer/lot. In such a case, additional inspection measures are to be implemented on all carcasses originating from the same producer/lot inspected after the initial case, and up until laboratory confirmation (or disproof). As well, additional measures by the operator may be deemed appropriate, and requested, for all carcasses and parts originating from the same producer/lot that were inspected prior to the initial case on that day of production. Such a request may therefore result in the implementation of the following measures:

• Exposing any subsequent animals/lots related to the index case to enhanced inspection procedures.
• If available, incising hearts and cheeks (in line with the enhanced inspection procedures) from carcasses identified as part of the affected lot/producer that have already passed inspection prior to the finding of the index case.
• Closely observing the cut surfaces of muscles exposed during the dressing operation or making additional incisions into the diaphragm, the rounds or forelimbs.

Swine cysticercosis is a reportable disease under the Health of Animals Act. Canada is currently considered free of swine cysticercosis.

Post-mortem:

• presence of cyst(s) in the heart, tongue, masseters and diaphragm
• presence of cyst(s) in other muscles of the body, especially the shoulder and thigh
• presence of cyst(s) in fat and viscera

Lesions suggestive of Cysticercus cellulosae must be sent for laboratory confirmation.

Note:
When a cyst-like structure determined to be suggestive of C. cellulosae is found in a carcass or its parts during routine inspection, the official veterinarian will request the operator to implement additional measures to ensure the food safety and suitability of meat products derived from animals submitted from the same producer/lot. In such a case, additional inspection measures are to be implemented on all carcasses originating from the same producer/lot inspected after the initial case, and up until laboratory confirmation (or disproof). As well, additional measures by the operator may be deemed appropriate, and required, for all carcasses and parts originating from the same producer/lot that were inspected prior to the initial case on that day of production. Such a request may therefore result in the implementation of the following measures:

• Exposing any subsequent animals/lots related to the index case to enhanced inspection procedures.
• If available, examining and incising hearts, cheeks and tongues from carcasses identified as part of the affected lot/producer that have already passed inspection prior to the finding of the initial case.
• Closely observing the cut surfaces of muscles exposed during the dressing operation or making additional incisions into the diaphragm, neck and thigh muscles.

Post-mortem:

• presence of cyst(s) in the heart, oesophagus, tongue, masseters and diaphragm
• presence of cyst(s) in other muscles of the body
• cysts are usually calcified

• ■ Condemn the carcass when it shows generalized lesions and report as "Cysticercosis".
• ■ Otherwise, remove affected parts.

Cysticercus ovis is not a food safety concern; accordingly no additional treatment is required.

Ante-mortem:

• stress
• exhaustion

• ■ Pass for slaughter without restriction affected animals deemed fit for slaughter.

Post-mortem:

• dark, purplish red to almost black colour of the muscles
• dry, often-sticky surface of the muscles

• ■ The use of carcasses afflicted with DFD is at the discretion of the operator.
  • Affected parts/carcasses should only be used in processed meat products or, alternatively, lesions are removed. The operator will develop a program ensuring that affected meat parts/carcasses are controlled and final derived meat products are in compliance with section 4 and 5 of the Food and Drugs Act.
  • As applicable, operator may reject the whole carcass when it shows generalized lesions.

Including "Sarcocystosis/Sarcosporidiosis".

Post-mortem:

• presence of small irregularly distributed yellowish-green or yellowish spindle-shaped lesions that vary in size from pinhead to several millimetres in length
• lesions detected in the muscles of the heart, oesophagus, tongue, masseters and/or diaphragm
• lesions in other muscles of the body
• in the case of chronic lesions, there may be an accumulation of connective tissue replacing degenerated muscle fibres

• ■ Condemn the carcass when it shows generalized lesions and report as "Eosinophilic myositis".
• ■ Otherwise, remove affected parts.

Including "Antibiotic Residues".

Ante-mortem:

• signs of pre-existing disease; and
• localized bulging enlargement under the skin (for example, abscess).

• ■ Treat as suspect.

Post-mortem:

• an area of blanched tissue often with a red line penetrating the muscular tissue as well as a red circle at the periphery
• local bruising in the affected area
• localised abscess
• a medicinal odour

Hold the carcass for chemical/veterinary drug testing as per procedures in the guidance document Slaughter Floor Operations - Sampling and Testing Chemical Residues and Microbes.

Ante-mortem:

• reluctance to move
• panting
• frothing
• inability to rise

• ■ Pass for slaughter without restriction affected animals deemed fit for slaughter.

Post-mortem:

• local or regional muscle pallor.

• ■ The use of carcasses afflicted with PSE is at the discretion of the operator.
  • Affected parts/carcasses should only be used in processed meat products or, alternatively, lesions are removed. The operator will develop a program ensuring that affected meat parts/carcasses are controlled and final derived meat products are in compliance with section 4 and 5 of the Food and Drugs Act.
  • As applicable, operator may reject the whole carcass when it shows generalized lesions.

Post-mortem:

• red spots throughout the carcass or in local areas
• spinal fracture with associated bleeding and localized carcass red spotting when electric stunning is used

• ■ The use of the affected parts/carcasses is at the discretion of the operator:
  • Mildly affected carcasses may be passed without restriction.
  • For carcasses with moderate lesions, the operator will:
    • develop a program ensuring that affected meat parts/carcasses are controlled and final derived meat products are in compliance with section 4 and 5 of the Food and Drugs Act. Such program will consider the impact of using such products in the shelf life of the final derived meat products; or
    • reject the whole carcass/parts.
• ■ For carcasses with severe lesions, the operator will reject the carcass or the severely affected parts/areas.

Post-mortem:

A carcass may show:

• evidence of being dropped (floor material adhered to the carcass)
• evidence of extensive contamination with gastro-intestinal tract or abscess content as a result of the slaughter process
• evidence of extensive carcass degeneration:
  • due to having fallen off the line and not returned to the line in a timely manner
  • due to not being processed in a timely manner due to mechanical failure
  • due to failure to process in a timely manner for another reason

Post-mortem:

• increased blood retention in the abdominal organs
• increased blood retention in the carcass vasculature
• increased blood retention and redness of muscular tissue
• no or narrow or short stick wound
• stick wound not directed at the great vessels
• areas of the skin or subcutaneous tissues with deeply reddened patches

Post-mortem:

Where viscera, head and/or carcass:

• cannot be correlated
• are not presented to the official veterinarian for further evaluation

• ■ Discard the carcass when, based on the judgement of the official veterinarian, a reasonable chance exists that a condemnable condition might be present and part(s) necessary for veterinary evaluation is(are) not available for inspection.
• ■ Otherwise, pass the carcass.

Post-mortem:

A carcass may show:

• breaks in the skin
• charred skin
• muscle pallor
• cooked appearance of the meat

The operator is responsible to remove any defect on a carcass or part:

• ■ Reject the carcass when it cannot be restored to edible standards or it shows generalized lesions.
• ■ Otherwise, remove the affected parts.