Write the importance of antemortem inspection of meat animals. List the most common diseases encountered during AM examination. Also write the procedure to conduct the AM inspection.

Importance of Antemortem Inspection

The significance of AMI stems from its ability to prevent diseased animals from entering the food chain. This has several implications:

• Public Health Protection: AMI helps prevent the transmission of zoonotic diseases (diseases transmissible from animals to humans) like Brucellosis, Tuberculosis, and Cysticercosis.
• Animal Welfare: Identifying animals suffering from chronic or debilitating conditions allows for humane handling and potential intervention.
• Economic Benefits: Preventing diseased meat from entering the market reduces economic losses for meat processors and consumers.
• Traceability: AMI records provide a valuable tool for tracing disease outbreaks back to the farm of origin, enabling targeted interventions and disease control measures.
• International Trade: Adherence to stringent AMI protocols is often a prerequisite for exporting meat products to international markets.

Common Diseases Encountered During Antemortem Examination

The diseases detected during AMI can be broadly categorized:

1. Infectious Diseases

• Brucellosis: Causes reproductive failure in livestock and can cause systemic illness in humans.
• Bovine Tuberculosis (B.T.B.): A chronic bacterial infection affecting multiple organs.
• Fascioliasis (Liver Fluke): Parasitic infection causing liver damage and impaired production.
• Cysticercosis: Caused by the larval stage of the pork tapeworm, posing a significant public health risk.
• Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD): Highly contagious viral disease affecting cloven-hoofed animals.

2. Metabolic and Nutritional Diseases

• Ketosis: Metabolic disorder common in dairy cattle, caused by insufficient carbohydrate intake.
• Milk Fever (Hypocalcemia): A calcium deficiency disorder in dairy cows.

3. Parasitic Infestations

• External Parasites: Ticks, lice, mites causing irritation and secondary infections.
• Internal Parasites: Roundworms, tapeworms impacting nutrient absorption.

4. Congenital and Developmental Defects

• Hydrocephalus: Abnormal accumulation of fluid in the brain.
• Deformities: Limb deformities, skeletal abnormalities.

Procedure for Conducting Antemortem Inspection

The AMI procedure is a systematic process involving several steps:

1. Observation of Behavior: The animal is observed for signs of illness, distress, or abnormal behavior. This includes assessing alertness, gait, and respiration.
2. Visual Examination: A thorough visual examination is conducted, looking for external signs of disease such as skin lesions, swellings, discharge, or lameness.
3. Temperature and Pulse Measurement: Rectal temperature and pulse rate are taken to assess the animal's physiological state.
4. Palpation: Palpation of lymph nodes, abdomen, and other body regions helps detect abnormalities that may not be visible.
5. Examination of Eyes and Mucous Membranes: Eyes are checked for discharge, cloudiness, or other abnormalities. Mucous membranes (gums) are examined for color and hydration.
6. Record Keeping: Detailed records are maintained for each animal inspected, including date, time, identification number, findings, and disposition.
7. Decision Making: Based on the findings, the veterinary inspector makes a decision:
• Pass: Animal deemed fit for slaughter.
• Condemn: Animal deemed unfit for human consumption and is destroyed.
• Defer: Animal requires further investigation or observation.

Step	Activity	Objective
1	Observation	Assess overall health and behavior
2	Visual Exam	Detect external signs of disease
3	Temperature & Pulse	Evaluate physiological status
4	Palpation	Identify internal abnormalities
5	Record Keeping	Maintain inspection records

Note:** The AMI procedure is subject to variations depending on the species of animal and local regulations. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) provides guidelines for meat safety, including AMI.