Bruising
General description
- Bruising of the carcase is caused by external blunt trauma and results in bleeding and muscle discolouration.
- Depending on the severity of bruising, entire areas could be trimmed, reducing carcase weight.
- Bruising is a condition of animal welfare importance.
Cause
- Bruising may be caused by dog bites, lifting sheep by their wool, trauma during shearing or crutching, poor handling and yard designs, and injury during transport.
Clinical signs
- Muscle bleeding and discolouration.
Diagnosis
- At processing the visual appearance of the lesion, without a visible open wound.
Treatment
- Although bruises heal and disappear over time, they are not seen in the live animal, so there is no treatment for bruising.
Prevention
- Proper yard design, handling stock calmly, minimising the use of dogs, appropriate transport loading, and consigning at least 2 weeks after shearing or other husbandry procedures.
