Ruminant post mortem examination

Post mortem examination can be an invaluable approach to investigating health and welfare issues in ruminant livestock species. This article gives an outline of the information required prior to embarking on such an examination, including carcase selection and suitability for examination. It then describes a suggested protocol to follow, to ensure that pathology is not overlooked. Sampling often creates problems and some best sampling practice techniques are described. The emphasis throughout (and the authors approach) is not to teach the reader to become a pathologist, but to suggest ways of adapting their clinical approach in the live animal to a post mortem approach in a dead animal! Private veterinary surgeons undertaking better post mortem examinations can provide the foundations for an improved veterinary surveillance system for the benefit of UK agriculture and its consumers.