DIAGNOSIS OF DIGESTIVE DEATHS

Diagnosis of deaths due to digestive disorders can be a difficult task . It is helpful if the carcass can be viewed for condition, position, and location before being moved from the pen in which it was found. A complete necropsy is absolutely necessary even though postmortem decom position may be advanced. All thoracic and abdominal organs must be ex amined for gross lesions. If one believes that the central nervous sys tem was involved, the brain should be removed and examined. Checking t he ruminal pH is important. If indicated, samples should be obtained a nd submitted to a diagnostic laboratory. Salient lesions include conge stion of the anterior portion of the carcass, especially the cervical muscles and tissues adjacent to the esophagus and trachea, paleness of the posterior portion of the carcass, edema between the muscle groups of the hindquarters, scrotal, or mammary area, and a lack of other gr oss lesions. Many cases have congestion and(or) edema in the submucosa of the dorsal portion of the trachea extending from the thoracic inle t cranially. One must list the cause of death as unknown or undetermin ed when it is not apparent.