An abscess can be found in any location on the animal. In the skin, muscle, organ or lymph node. An abscess will be an abnormality. " One of these things don't look like the other" is a simple way to put it. It can feel like a hard lump and I suggest not cutting into it until you have cut and removed it from the tissue. Abscesses feel hard, but the capsule center is filled with puss. The puss can vary in consistency. It can be as runny as water or as thick as gravy. Either way you will want to remove it!
One abscess is nothing to be too concerned with especially if it is located in the skin or just under the skin. It is possible for an abscess to form at the medicine injection site. You do need to be concerned if there are multiple abscesses. Closer examination will be needed.
While gutting (eviscerating) your animal it is not uncommon to find abscesses in the intestines or liver. Hopefully it is intact when you find it, but sometimes during gutting it can be nicked and you are engulfed with the bitter, nasty smell of the abscess. If it was accidentally cut open just keep going and try to keep as much of the puss off the good meat as possible. The one good thing about nicking an abscess is that you now know for sure it is an abscess and don't have to worry about whether the mass was cancer. Yes, animals including livestock can get cancer, but that's another post.
A liver abscess reminds me more time then not, of a ball ( can be golf ball, baseball, softball or volley ball sized) It will normally have adhesions ( thin, reddish tissue) spreading out from the abscess. The adhesions are almost stringy and stick to your hands easily. Abscesses in the liver can vary in size and number. I have seen 1 baseball sized and multiple golf ball sized one in livers. Either way I would not recommend eating the liver with an abscess of any kind even if it can be cut out. The whole liver should be thrown away.
One abscess is nothing to be too concerned with especially if it is located in the skin or just under the skin. It is possible for an abscess to form at the medicine injection site. You do need to be concerned if there are multiple abscesses. Closer examination will be needed.
While gutting (eviscerating) your animal it is not uncommon to find abscesses in the intestines or liver. Hopefully it is intact when you find it, but sometimes during gutting it can be nicked and you are engulfed with the bitter, nasty smell of the abscess. If it was accidentally cut open just keep going and try to keep as much of the puss off the good meat as possible. The one good thing about nicking an abscess is that you now know for sure it is an abscess and don't have to worry about whether the mass was cancer. Yes, animals including livestock can get cancer, but that's another post.
A liver abscess reminds me more time then not, of a ball ( can be golf ball, baseball, softball or volley ball sized) It will normally have adhesions ( thin, reddish tissue) spreading out from the abscess. The adhesions are almost stringy and stick to your hands easily. Abscesses in the liver can vary in size and number. I have seen 1 baseball sized and multiple golf ball sized one in livers. Either way I would not recommend eating the liver with an abscess of any kind even if it can be cut out. The whole liver should be thrown away.
http://flickrhivemind.net/Tags/abscess,liver/Interesting
https://m.flickr.com/#/photos/nottinghamvets/11327466015
Often times an abscess will make gutting very difficult. It may have adhered it self to other organs, the diaphragm or the side of the carcass. Do you best to keep it intact to prevent contaminating the carcass. Once it is out with the guts you will want to investigate. Ask yourself these questions:
- Where was the abscess?
- How many?
- Is it in more than one cavity? ( the diaphragm separates the chest and abdominal cavities)
- What do the kidneys look like? ( are they enlarged, an odd color, or look speckled?)
- What does the spleen look like? ( is it enlarged, thick with blood, any abscesses?)
As soon as you located an abscess you need to be on the lookout for more! Just in case because after all this meat will feed your family!
Abscesses can form in the lungs and sometimes can be very nasty and difficult to remove without making a huge mess! After removing the lungs you should check the lymph nodes that run down the center of them. They are located in the fat along the trachea and a section of I believe its the superior vena cava ( but don't quote me just in case). When checking lymph nodes first you want to:
- Locate them. They feel firmer than the fat
- Feel them. Do they feel harder compared to others?
- Cut them open. Do they contain puss also? If so, how many do?
If the lungs did contain an abscess you should "peel" the chest cavity. The pleura may be thicker due to the abscess, but "peeling" the pleura should remove contamination of the abscess. Make sure you take steps to prevent any other contamination falling on to the "peeled" area.
http://www.vetnext.com/search.php?s=aandoening&id=73255560468%20138
So you have checked out your animal and you found abscesses in both cavities and the spleen in the size of a skateboard! This is not good! One cavity it can be trimmed and tossed ( your call), but both could be an indicator of blood poisoning or toxemia or sepsis. Eating this animal is NOT recommend! Most people say " well the meat looks normal/fine." but think about it! The blood travels everywhere in the body and if it is poisoned, so is the meat. Do you really want to risk your families health? Is it worth it, no its not! Yes, you are taking a hit in the wallet, but just think of the medical, hospital and possible funeral bills! Serve your family good, wholesome food! If in doubt THROW IT OUT!
For images google " abscesses in cattle post mortem"
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* This is meant as a guide to encourage further research. This is not a definitive source. I am not responsible for the decisions and actions you take.
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