MEAT
BORNE – BLUETONGUE IN
SHEEP
Bluetongue is
an infectious non-contagious arthropod borne viral disease of domestic and wild
animals characterized by high fever, catarrhal inflammation of buccal mucous
membrane (stomatitis) and nasal mucous membrane (catarrhal rhinitis),
emaciation. Inflammation of tongue, intestine, sensitive laminae seen.
Transmission:
Biting insects, especially gnats and mosquitoes, ectoparasites. Semen of infected bulls, placental routes and mechanical transfer – infected blood by needles.
Ante-Mortem
findings (Done before death in a slaughter house):
In Sheep:
Incubation period 6-8 days.
High rise of temperature and fever
Difficult breathing
Excessive salivation
Loss of appetite, weakness and emaciation
Relucatance to move
Swellings of gum, muzzle, lip and tongue
Mucopurulent to bloody nasal discharge
Cyanosis of the tongue and mucous membranes
(bluetongue) with erosion
Lameness
Inflammation of the coronary band and painful
hoof
Abortion and deformed lambs
Death (Respiratory failure)
Post-Mortem
findings (Done After death in a slaughter house):
Mouth – there is hyperaemia
Tongue – becomes blue and gangerenous
Leg – coronary band shows congestion and hemorrhage
Skeletal and cardiac muscle – necrosis
Lungs – congestion
Placenta – hemorrhage
Spleen – enlarged
Subcutaneous tissue – edema and hemorrhage
Judgement:
The whole carcass
and viscera are condemned (in many countries)
In acute stage if
become normal (on recovery stage) then can be used for consume
Reference:
