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Blood splash in lambs-a preliminary study using the one-stage prothrombin time test
1ARC Meat Research Institute, Langford, Bristol BS18 7DY, Great Britain.
Meat Science
|November 8, 2011
Summary
Extended prothrombin times in lambs are linked to blood splash occurrence. Pasture analysis revealed coumarin-producing plants, suggesting a dietary cause for this condition in sheep.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Pathology
- Animal Science
- Toxicology
Background:
- Blood splash is a significant issue in lamb carcasses, impacting meat quality.
- Previous understanding of blood splash etiology in sheep was limited.
- The one-stage prothrombin test measures blood clotting efficiency.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between blood clotting times and blood splash incidence in lambs.
- To identify potential causative agents for blood splash in a affected flock.
Main Methods:
- Examined lambs from a flock with high blood splash incidence using the one-stage prothrombin test.
- Compared results with lambs from a commercial slaughter line.
- Analyzed pastures grazed by the affected flock for toxic plants.
Main Results:
- All affected lambs and 35.4% of commercial lambs exhibited extended prothrombin times.
- A direct correlation was established between prolonged prothrombin times and blood splash.
- Coumarin-producing plants were identified in pastures of the affected flock.
Conclusions:
- Extended prothrombin times are strongly associated with blood splash in lambs.
- Ingestion of coumarin-producing plants may predispose lambs to blood splash by affecting clotting and capillary fragility.
- Dietary coumarin exposure is a likely contributing factor to blood splash in sheep.
