Napehew, Jeremiah O.

Paguien, Liezel Jayne D.

Reyes, Valerie Junette C.
Part 3: Group portfolio
A. AVIAN
Antemortem Inspection
● Guideline
Antemortem procedures, carried out on the day of slaughter, serve the purpose of identifying and
subsequently condemning animals that are deemed unsuitable for slaughter. Additionally, these
procedures help in recognizing clinical signs or lesions of disease that may not be detectable post-
slaughter. It's important to emphasize that no animals are permitted to enter any section of the facility until
they have undergone inspection and have been determined as suitable for human consumption. The
remainder of the poultry examination takes place after the birds have been hung in shackles and before
they are bled. Records of the antemortem inspection are compulsory and should contain essential
information such as the inspection date and time, truck identification, species, total bird count, and the
owner's name.
In inclement weather, birds require immediate slaughter. In the summer, the steady change of air
in the truck or in the holding area should be maintained. In cases of reportable disease, a veterinarian
should be informed and all pertinent information should be recorded. Some diseases have similar signs on
A/M inspection. For example, infectious bronchitis may be confused with Newcastle disease. A differential
diagnosis is required in such cases.
● Procedure
Birds placed in crates or liners present some difficulties thus only a superficial inspection of their
general condition is carried out.
Postmortem Inspection
● Guideline
The animals are immediately examined after slaughter and evisceration for possible changes and
lesions that indicate the unsuitability of the meat for food. Carcasses must be suspended at 2 or 3 points
depending on the class of poultry.
● Procedure
Observe the overall condition. Examine the external surfaces for dressing defects, bruises, and
disease lesions. External lesions on the carcass include the swelling of the sinuses, nasal and ocular
discharge (if the head is present), skin lesions, joint swellings etc.Observe the exposed hock joints.
Examine the internal surfaces, kidneys, and lungs in place. Examine the viscera which must be exposed
for visual examination and palpation.Contamination by feces and bile should also be observed.
B. BOVINE
Antemortem Inspection
● Guideline
Inspectors conduct antemortem procedures at the abattoir on the day of slaughter to identify and
condemn animals that are unfit for slaughter and to note clinical signs or lesions of disease that may not
be apparent after slaughter (eg, neurologic signs, labored breathing, lameness, or fever). The inspector
observes animals both at rest and in motion. Animals may not enter any area of the facility where animals
are slaughtered, carcasses are dressed, or edible products are handled until they have been inspected
and found to be acceptable candidates for human consumption. The facility for antemortem inspection
must have good lighting, as well as gates, chutes, and equipment sufficient to segregate abnormal
animals for closer examination and proper inspection. This A/M inspection guideline is true for caprine,
porcine, and ovine.
● Procedure
Antemortem inspection leads to one of three outcomes: passed for normal slaughter, passed as a
suspect, or condemned. Animals appearing healthy are passed for normal slaughter. Animals exhibiting
clinical signs of serious disease conditions that render them unfit for food are condemned. Included in the
condemned category are all animals that are dead or moribund, or that plainly show clinical signs of any
disease or condition that would necessitate condemnation of the carcass on postmortem inspection. Also
condemned are animals showing clinical signs of CNS disease, or severe fever (body temperature of 41°C
[106°F] or higher in swine, or of 40.5°C [105°F] or higher in cattle, sheep, and goats). In the US, all cattle
that are nonambulatory disabled (unable to rise and walk) are automatically condemned as well.
Animals with clinical signs or lesions that do not warrant immediate condemnation can be identified
as “suspects” so that their carcasses and viscera can be inspected separately. Animals that have reacted
to a test for anaplasmosis, leptospirosis, or tuberculosis but do not show clinical signs can also be tagged
as suspects. In some cases, animals may be set apart and held to allow recovery from minor diseases or
to permit depletion of residues of biological substances and chemicals. Animals that may have been
treated with or exposed to substances that could make the edible tissues unfit for human food should not
be slaughtered for such.
 Animals suspected of having a foreign disease or parasite should be held and reported
immediately to the nearest federal or state health official.

Postmortem Inspection
● Guideline
Animal products must be examined in accordance with the procedures provided by the facility. An
authorized PM examiner can conduct any necessary procedure to determine fitness for an intended
purpose and, thus must also indicate all diseases and defects that need to be addressed and re-
examined. If this is not practical, a system must be put in place indicating what (re-) examination
procedures are required.
● Procedure
Head: Observe the surfaces and eyes. Incise and visually examine the mandibular, parotid, medial, and
lateral retropharyngeal lymph nodes. Examine the lateral and medial masticatory muscles.

Viscera: Examine the abdominal viscera and mesenteric lymph nodes. Examine and palpate the
ruminoreticular junction. Examine the esophagus and spleen. Incise and examine the cranial, middle, and
caudal mediastinal lymph nodes and the right and left bronchial lymph nodes. Examine and palpate the
costal and ventral surfaces of the lungs. Incise the heart from base to apex through the interventricular
septum, and examine and cut inner and outer surfaces. Incise and examine the hepatic lymph nodes.
Incise the bile duct in both directions and examine the contents. Examine and palpate the dorsal and
ventral surfaces and renal impression of liver.

Carcass: Examine the internal and external surfaces. Palpate the internal iliac and superficial inguinal or
supra mammary lymph nodes. Examine and palpate the diaphragm and kidneys.

Calves (Veal)
Head: Observe the surfaces. Incise and examine the medial retropharyngeal lymph nodes. Examine and
palpate the tongue
Viscera: Examine and palpate the bronchial and mediastinal lymph nodes, heart, and lungs. Examine the
spleen. Examine and palpate the dorsal and ventral surfaces of the liver, and palpate the hepatic lymph
nodes. Examine the abdominal viscera.

Carcass: Examine the exposed inner and outer surfaces. Palpate the kidneys and internal iliac lymph
nodes.

C. CAPRINE
Antemortem Inspection
● Guideline
Animals must be subjected to AM examination before receiving PM examination and evidence of
this must be available. Information relating to the status of the animal must be provided to the PM
examiner as appropriate prior to him/her performing PM examination, including whether the animal is a
suspect animal together with the reasons for being suspect, a Tb reactor, on a chemical residue list,
Johne’s vaccinated, on a disease surveillance suspect list and subject to any other relevant issues
described on the animal status declaration form. The killed wild mammals including game estate and
farmed-gone-feral animals, do not require AM examination.
● Procedure
Antemortem inspection leads to one of three outcomes: passed for normal slaughter, passed as a
suspect, or condemned. Animals appearing healthy are passed for normal slaughter. Animals exhibiting
clinical signs of serious disease conditions that render them unfit for food are condemned. Included in the
condemned category are all animals that are dead or moribund, or that plainly show clinical signs of any
disease or condition that would necessitate condemnation of the carcass on postmortem inspection. Also
condemned are animals showing clinical signs of CNS disease, or severe fever (body temperature of 41°C
[106°F] or higher in swine, or of 40.5°C [105°F] or higher in cattle, sheep, and goats). In the US, all cattle
that are nonambulatory disabled (unable to rise and walk) are automatically condemned as well.
Animals with clinical signs or lesions that do not warrant immediate condemnation can be identified
as “suspects” so that their carcasses and viscera can be inspected separately. Animals that have reacted
to a test for anaplasmosis, leptospirosis, or tuberculosis but do not show clinical signs can also be tagged
as suspects. In some cases, animals may be set apart and held to allow recovery from minor diseases or
to permit depletion of residues of biological substances and chemicals. Animals that may have been
treated with or exposed to substances that could make the edible tissues unfit for human food should not
be slaughtered for such.

Animals suspected of having a foreign disease or parasite should be held and reported
immediately to the nearest federal or state health official.

Postmortem Inspection
● Guideline
Inspectors examine animals immediately after slaughter and evisceration for possible changes and
lesions that indicate the unsuitability of the meat for food. Postmortem examination requires observation of
all parts of the carcass, dressing procedures, equipment, and facilities to prevent contamination of edible
parts. Carcasses and parts found to be sound, healthful, and not adulterated receive a mark of inspection;
carcasses and parts found to be diseased or contaminated are condemned. In some circumstances, a
carcass may be passed for cooking only. Inspectors must ensure that condemned carcasses and parts
are disposed of safely, and keep control of carcasses passed for cooking until that process is complete.
Line inspectors carry out routine postmortem inspections to detect carcasses with clinical signs of disease
or other conditions warranting further examination by a veterinarian.
● Procedure
Head and carcass: Examine the body cavities and outer surfaces. Palpate the back and sides of the
carcass. Examine the head, neck, and, shoulders. Palpate the prescapular lymph nodes. Examine and
palpate the kidneys. Palpate the femoral, popliteal, and superficial inguinal or supra mammary lymph
nodes. Incise the lymph nodes when necessary to exclude caseous lymphadenitis.
Viscera: Examine the abdominal viscera, esophagus, mesenteric lymph nodes, omental fat, and spleen.
Examine the bile duct and gallbladder and their contents. Examine and palpate the liver and the costal
and ventral surfaces of the lungs. Palpate the bronchial and mediastinal lymph nodes. Examine and
palpate the heart.

D. PORCINE
Antemortem Inspection
● Guideline
Both sides of an animal should be examined at rest and in motion. The antemortem examination
should be done within 24 hours of slaughter and repeated if slaughter has been delayed over a day.
Spread hogs and animals affected with extensive bruising or fractures require emergency slaughter.
Animals showing clinical signs of disease should be held for veterinary examination and judgement. They
are treated as “suspects” and should be segregated from the healthy animals. The disease and
management history should be recorded and reported on an A/M inspection card. Other information
should include the owner's name, number of animals in the lot and arrival time, species and sex of the
animal, time and date of A/M inspection, clinical signs, and body temperature if relevant, reason why the
animal was held, and signature of the inspector.
● Procedure
Antemortem inspection is carried out in adequate lighting where the animals can be observed both
collectively and individually at rest and in motion. The general behavior of animals is observed, as well as
their nutritional status, cleanliness, signs of diseases, and abnormalities. The abnormalities in respiration,
gait, posture, structure and conformation, discharges or protrusions from body openings, color, and odor
are checked on antemortem examination.

Postmortem Inspection
● Guideline
The postmortem analysis involves a thorough examination of every aspect of the carcass.
Inspectors must conduct immediate assessments of animals right after they are slaughtered and
evisceration to identify any alterations or abnormalities that might render the meat unsuitable for human
consumption. Carcasses and individual sections deemed to be in a healthy and uncontaminated state are
granted an inspection seal or mark. On the other hand, carcasses or parts found to be afflicted by disease
or contamination are condemned. It is also the responsibility of the inspectors to ensure that the
condemned carcasses and parts are disposed of in a safe manner.
● Procedure
Head: Examine the head and cut surfaces. Incise the mandibular lymph nodes.

Viscera: Examine and palpate the mesenteric lymph nodes and the spleen. Palpate the portal lymph
nodes. Examine the dorsal and ventral surfaces of the liver. Palpate the left and right bronchial and
mediastinal lymph nodes. Examine and palpate the dorsal and ventral surfaces of the lungs. Examine and
palpate the heart.

Carcass: Examine the external and internal surfaces, and incise any suspected abnormalities. Examine
and palpate the kidneys.

E. OVINE
Antemortem Inspection
● Procedure
Antemortem inspection leads to one of three outcomes: passed for normal slaughter, passed as a
suspect, or condemned. Animals appearing healthy are passed for normal slaughter. Animals exhibiting
clinical signs of serious disease conditions that render them unfit for food are condemned. Included in the
condemned category are all animals that are dead or moribund, or that plainly show clinical signs of any
 disease or condition that would necessitate condemnation of the carcass on postmortem inspection. Also
condemned are animals showing clinical signs of CNS disease, or severe fever (body temperature of 41°C
[106°F] or higher in swine, or of 40.5°C [105°F] or higher in cattle, sheep, and goats). In the US, all cattle
that are nonambulatory disabled (unable to rise and walk) are automatically condemned as well.
Animals with clinical signs or lesions that do not warrant immediate condemnation can be identified
as “suspects” so that their carcasses and viscera can be inspected separately. Animals that have reacted
to a test for anaplasmosis, leptospirosis, or tuberculosis but do not show clinical signs can also be tagged
as suspects. In some cases, animals may be set apart and held to allow recovery from minor diseases or
to permit depletion of residues of biologic substances and chemicals. Animals that may have been treated
with or exposed to substances that could make the edible tissues unfit for human food should not be
slaughtered for such.

Animals suspected of having a foreign disease or parasite should be held and reported
immediately to the nearest federal or state health official.

Postmortem Inspection
● Guideline
Inspectors examine animals immediately after slaughter and evisceration for possible changes and
lesions that indicate unsuitability of the meat for food. Postmortem examination requires observation of all
parts of the carcass, dressing procedures, equipment, and facilities to prevent contamination of edible
parts. Carcasses and parts found to be sound, healthful, and not adulterated receive a mark of inspection;
carcasses and parts found to be diseased or contaminated are condemned. In some circumstances, a
carcass may be passed for cooking only. Inspectors must ensure that condemned carcasses and parts
are disposed of safely, and keep control of carcasses passed for cooking until that process is complete.
Line inspectors carry out routine postmortem inspection to detect carcasses with clinical signs of disease
or other conditions warranting further examination by a veterinarian.
● Procedure
Head and carcass: Examine the body cavities and outer surfaces. Palpate the back and sides of the
carcass. Examine the head, neck, and, shoulders. Palpate the prescapular lymph nodes. Examine and
palpate the kidneys. Palpate the femoral, popliteal, and superficial inguinal or supra mammary lymph
nodes. Incise the lymph nodes when necessary to exclude caseous lymphadenitis.
Viscera: Examine the abdominal viscera, esophagus, mesenteric lymph nodes, omental fat, and spleen.
Examine the bile duct and gallbladder and their contents. Examine and palpate the liver and the costal
and ventral surfaces of the lungs. Palpate the bronchial and mediastinal lymph nodes. Examine and
palpate the heart.