1. ante and post-mortem SDL Flashcards
(48 cards)
What does it mean that an animal is slaughtered with Kosher methods?
Meat is prepared according to Jewish dietary laws. Animals must be healthy, slaughtered by a trained shochet using a sharp knife in a swift cut to the throat, and with complete drainage of blood. Stunning is not permitted.
What does it mean that an animal is slaughtered with Halal methods?
Refers to what is permissible under Islamic law. Animals must be healthy, slaughtered by a Muslim, with a cut to the throat while invoking Allah’s name. Some Halal authorities permit pre-stunning if it does not cause death, while others do not allow stunning.
Why is it possible for slaughtering methods without using pre-stunning to be performed in the UK?
Because UK law allows legal exceptions to stunning requirements for religious communities (i.e., Jewish and Muslim) under The Welfare of Animals at the Time of Killing (WATOK) Regulations, for the purposes of Kosher and Halal meat.
Where can slaughtering without stunning be performed in the UK?
Only in licensed slaughterhouses that have received specific approval to carry out religious slaughter without stunning, and only under strict supervision and conditions.
What are the infrastructure requirements in a slaughterhouse to be licensed to slaughter animals without prior stunning?
- Be specifically authorised for religious slaughter.
- Have proper restraining equipment to hold the animal securely.
- Be equipped to perform immediate post-cut actions.
- Provide evidence of compliance with animal welfare standards and monitoring by an Official Veterinarian (OV).
You are an Official Veterinarian.
In a slaughterhouse where you work, 150 pigs have arrived. During ante mortem inspection, you notice that some are severely tail bitten. Some of the affected pigs are also lame.
- As the OV, what actions would you take in the slaughterhouse?
- Would the affected animals be suitable for human consumption?
- If you were the veterinarian of the pig’s farmer what advice would you provide to reduce the incidence of tail biting?
- As the OV, what actions would you take in the slaughterhouse?
* Record findings and assess welfare.
* Separate severely affected pigs and ensure they are humanely slaughtered as a priority.
* Notify the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) if there are signs of a welfare breach on-farm.
* Consider enforcement action under Animal Welfare Act 2006 or WATOK if necessary. - Would the affected animals be suitable for human consumption?
It depends on the extent of infection and systemic signs. If lesions are localised and not septic, meat may be passed fit with partial trimming. If there are signs of systemic infection (fever, abscesses, lameness), the carcass may be rejected.
- If you were the veterinarian of the pig’s farmer, what advice would you provide to reduce the incidence of tail biting?
- Improve environmental enrichment (e.g., straw, toys).
- Review stocking density and reduce stress.
- Monitor ventilation, temperature, and humidity.
- Ensure appropriate nutrition and health monitoring.
- Early identification and separation of tail-biters.
- Consider tail docking as a last resort, only under veterinary advice and with proper justification.
You are an Official Veterinarian (OV) at a cattle slaughterhouse.
Cattle arrive to the slaughterhouse and one of the animals does not have one of the ear tags.
- What are the legal requirements regarding ear tagging cattle?
- After identifying an animal missing an ear tag at slaughterhouse level, which steps should follow?
- What should be the outcome of the carcass?
- Are similar rules applicable to sheep and electronic identification (EID)?
- What are the legal requirements regarding ear tagging cattle?
- Cattle must have two ear tags:
- One primary (large, printed tag).
- One secondary tag (can be different format)
- Tags must be applied within 20 days of birth, or within 36 hours if moved off-farm sooner. - After identifying an animal missing an ear tag at slaughterhouse level, which steps should follow?
- Isolate the animal and report it to the Food Business Operator (FBO) and APHA.
- Trace identity using movement records, passports, or farm documentation.
- Slaughter may proceed if identity is confirmed; otherwise, carcass may not be passed for human consumption. - What should be the outcome of the carcass?
- If the animal’s identity cannot be verified, the entire carcass must be condemned.
- If identity is confirmed via acceptable documentation, the carcass may be processed normally. - Are similar rules applicable to sheep and electronic identification (EID)?
- Yes. Sheep must have at least one EID tag in the left ear (for most), and possibly a secondary tag depending on movement requirements.
- Traceability is required. Unidentified sheep cannot enter the food chain unless identity is confirmed.
what 4 parasites are relevant for post mortem inspection in red meat
- Taenia saginata – Cysticercus bovis
- Taenia solium – Cysticercus cellulosae
- Taenia ovis- Cysticercus ovis
- Trichinella spiralis
describe the lifecycle of Taenia saginata
Humans ingest undercooked beef → tapeworm in intestines → eggs shed in feces → cattle ingest eggs → larvae migrate to muscle as Cysticercus bovis.
describe the lifecycle of taenia solium
Humans ingest undercooked pork → intestinal tapeworm → pigs ingest eggs → cysts form in pig muscle. Humans can ingest eggs directly → cysticercosis (e.g., neurocysticercosis).
Describe the life-cycle of Taenia ovis
Dogs eat infected sheep meat → tapeworm develops → eggs passed in feces → ingested by sheep → cysts in muscle (“sheep measles”).
Describe the life-cycle of Trichinella spiralis
Hosts ingest raw/undercooked meat with larvae → adults in intestine → larvae migrate to muscle → form cysts. Affects pigs, wild game, and humans.
What is the human health risk of Taenia saginata?
Causes mild intestinal symptoms. Not a risk for cysticercosis. Zoonotic but not severe.
What is the human health risk of Taenia solium?
Major zoonotic concern. Can cause neurocysticercosis if humans ingest eggs. Serious health effects.
What is the human health risk of Taenia ovis?
No human health risk. Causes aesthetic meat damage only; not zoonotic.
What is the human health risk of Trichinella spiralis?
Causes trichinellosis in humans – serious disease with GI and systemic symptoms. Zoonotic.
How can humans reduce risk of parasitic infections from meat?
Cook meat thoroughly, freeze when appropriate, follow good hygiene, and avoid raw meat.
How can farmers reduce risk of parasitic infection in animals?
Prevent pigs from accessing human waste, deworm dogs, prevent dogs eating sheep carcasses, control rodents, raise pigs in controlled housing.
What pathological lesions indicate bTB in post-mortem inspection?
Granulomas (tubercles) that are caseous, calcified, with central necrosis and fibrous encapsulation.
Where are bTB lesions most likely found in cattle carcasses?
Thoracic, mediastinal, bronchial, and retropharyngeal lymph nodes; also lungs and sometimes other organs.
What is the judgment if bTB lesions are localised?
Local trimming may be sufficient; part of the carcass may be passed fit for consumption.
What is the judgment if bTB lesions are generalised?
The entire carcass and offal must be declared unfit for human consumption.
What must an OV do if bTB is confirmed at post-mortem?
Notify APHA, record findings, take samples for lab confirmation, disinfect equipment, and trace farm of origin.
whats this and why does it happen? what would you do as the ov
ringworm
Most commonly Trichophyton verrucosum, a zoonotic fungal pathogen.
c) OV action/judgement at post-mortem:
- Ringworm is aesthetic and zoonotic, but not a reason for rejection of the carcass if the animal is otherwise healthy.
- Carcass is fit for human consumption, but the hide should be handled carefully and possibly discarded or treated due to zoonotic risk.
- Protective measures for staff and hygiene protocols should be followed during slaughter and dressing.
