Abscess - Roe

[Jpat]

Hi all, looking for a bit of advice.

Background: I took out a roe buck last night, one that i have been watching for the past couple of weeks. It has had a fairly mucky back end for this period - something I sometimes see and rightly or wrongly associate with the new green growth in spring upsetting their stomachs after the winter feeding.

Anyway, the buck was on my list so down he went last night. When i began my inspection i noted a swelling in the lower back leg and also a soft limp on its front elbow joint. Skinned the beast and it appears the back leg was broken and healed (but still likely recent as no antler deformity). The lump on the front leg was puss filled, my thinking is it might be an infection associated with the same incident as the broken leg? But im not sure. No obvious swelling or problems in any of the lymph nodes, liver was a little mottled but not anything i would normally worry about.

My Question: Is the fact that the beast had an isolated puss filled abscess cause for concern? What are the implications if any on the meat? I butcher all my beast for myself, family and friends. Should this one go to the dog or is this harmless?

Thanks in advance,

Jason

 

[murph3010]

Be interesting to see what people say on this one. I dont think I would eat it.

 

[Woodsmoke]

What were the glands like? An infection that's not due to a localised injury will show throughout the lymphatic system in most cases. Wonder if the injuries were the result of a DVC?

 

[nickjackson]

Firstly yes, the mucky back end will be the new, lush growth this time of year.

If the LNs were all fine and the carcass 'set' (went stiff) OK I would just bin the limb with the abscess but the rest of the carcass should be fine.

I get a lot of fence injuries on the roe on one estate I look after and find the same at least every other year. Some injuries can lead to the LN in the armpit on that side being infected but a vet friend has confirmed if that is just the case there is no need to condemn the whole carcass.

 

[Jpat]

What were the glands like? An infection that's not due to a localised injury will show throughout the lymphatic system in most cases. Wonder if the injuries were the result of a DVC?

The glands looked fine, slightly swollen on the leg with abscess but rest were ok . . I think DVC is the likely cause. I think that because of the combination of the abscess, other injury and general condition im going to condemn the meat for human consumption. Will do boiled up for the dogs.

 

[Woodsmoke]

I think that because of the combination of the abscess, other injury and general condition im going to condemn the meat for human consumption. Will do boiled up for the dogs.

Sometimes that's the safest way. Incidentally, I'd feed it raw if that's an option for you? I often do this with scraps when I'd dealing with carcasses (including raw chicken, duck, and pheasant carcasses)- semi-freeze, then pass though a grinder along with 25% by weight of carrot, swede, what-have-you, and add a good splash of vegetable/salmon oil, along with some powdered seaweed. I pack it into the tubs our Natural Instinct raw food comes in and refreeze it. A little goes a long way! Our whippet and Lab' go through a kilo tub every two days between them

 

[Buchan]

A single abscess under the skin, especially if the draining node was relatively normal, is probably OK. A single abscess in the body cavity is more of a concern due to some presentations of TB. They may be separate injuries.
Re boiling v raw. The well-documented TB in cats a couple of years ago (100+ cats plus one human) came from raw, minced venison. Once abscess in the mincer....