Post-mortem evaluation procedures

On this page

• Introduction
• Routine inspection procedures
  • Bovine/farmed game ruminant
  • Ovine, caprine
  • Equine
  • Porcine/farmed wild boar
  • Ostrich, rhea, emu
  • Poultry
  • Rabbit
• Enhanced inspection procedures for Cysticercus bovis
• Enhanced inspection procedures for bovine tuberculosis

Introduction

Presentation of carcasses and their parts is done in a consistent manner to allow for the observation of all parts described in the tables below; elements of the Standards for Post-Mortem Evaluation of Food animal carcasses must also be met. Unless otherwise indicated, dressing procedures described in Dressing procedures and preparation of edible parts will be completed prior to the examination of the carcass.

Unless otherwise indicated, the examination of the parts indicated in the table below consists of a visual observation. Any abnormalities detected (enlargement, lesions elsewhere, abnormal palpation) may require further palpation or incision. Abnormalities detected on lymph node examination will necessitate incision (unless it is plainly evident that the lesion is an abscess). Special enhanced post-mortem evaluation procedures may also be required in certain circumstances (that is for bovine cysticercosis, bovine tuberculosis).

The standards in the tables below are deemed the minimal necessary procedures to allow for detection of pathologies or hazards that may pose a risk to human health, and thus, to complete a post-mortem examination or inspection required in the Standards to identify a meat product as edible. Partial dressing can only be entertained if this outcome can be achieved: modified evaluation may be required, such as additional palpation when visual observation may be diminished, however full inspection will be necessary if defects are detected.

Certain elements of these standards may be shared, for example in HLIS, HIP program. Further details are available in the Process controls (under development) document.

For harvesting of specific meat products for human consumption, other examination criteria may need to be met. Please consult the Dressing procedures and preparation of edible parts document for more details.

For the post-mortem evaluation of wild game animals, please refer to the game animal document (under development). Farmed game animals on the other hand will receive the equivalent inspection as that for bovines (for farmed game ruminants) with the exception of dentition verification, or for porcine (for farmed wild boar).

Routine inspection procedures

Enhanced inspection procedures of bovines and other susceptible species for Cysticercus bovis

If on routine examination, 1 or more carcasses in a lot are found to be affected with lesions suggestive of Cysticercus bovis, all affected carcasses and their parts must 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. As soon as a probable lesion is detected, the permanent identification number or, if it is missing, all pertinent information which would assist in identifying the origin of the carcass(es), for example ear tags, brands, etc., will need to recorded and reported to the inspector.

Application of enhanced inspection procedures

Carcasses of all animals that are received under a licence because they are associated to a confirmed case of C. bovis, are subjected to enhanced inspection procedures.

When at least 1 carcass from a lot of cattle subjected to routine inspection is discovered to show signs of infestation, all carcasses which originate from that lot are subjected to enhanced inspection procedures, pending laboratory confirmation.

Enhanced inspection procedures for C. bovis consist of routine inspection procedures that are heightened by detailed examination of the following parts that have been thoroughly sliced:

• the heart
• the external and internal muscles of mastication
• the muscular portion of the diaphragm
• the tongue and the oesophagus
• the musculature exposed during the dressing operations of the carcass

Laboratory confirmation

Laboratory reports will reflect the results of histological examination of the submitted lesions and will consist of 1 of 3 possible options:

1. The lesion was not caused by C. bovis. The pathologist will describe the lesion observed, adding the statement that the etiology of the lesion was not C. bovis. In this case, the carcass(es) from which the lesion originated may be considered not to be infested and should therefore be released without further treatment.
2. The lesion was caused by C. bovis. The pathologist will describe the lesion observed adding a statement which indicates that the etiology of the lesion was C. bovis.
3. C. bovis cannot be ruled out as a possible cause of the lesion. In this case, the pathologist will describe the lesion observed adding a statement which indicates that the lesion is consistent with that caused by C. bovis. For post-mortem judgement purposes, these carcasses must be considered infested.

Please consult the Disposition Manual (under development) for disposition and treatment requirements for infested carcasses.

Enhanced Inspection Procedures of bovines and farmed game animals for bovine tuberculosis

During an active investigation related to a confirmed case of bovine tuberculosis, added inspection procedures are required to properly assess the spread of the disease from the original confirmed case and to enable mitigation of any further spread. These added examinations are aimed at identifying gross pathological lesions that will determine the appropriate disposition of the carcass (see Disposition Manual (under development)) as well as optimize sampling for laboratory diagnostic testing. CFIA Hygiene Inspection staff will consult the Bovine Tuberculosis Hazard Specific Plan (the BTHSP is an internal document) to determine which carcasses, that are part of the investigation, require enhanced post-mortem inspection on top of routine inspection procedures and to obtain detailed instructions on sample collection, packaging and submission of samples for testing.