Explanatory model of cattle death by starvation in Manitoba: forensic evaluation

Cattle death by starvation is a persistent annual event in Manitoba. Herds with more than 10% overwinter death loss are usually identified in the late winter or early spring. Field and postmortem findings suggest that there is complete mobilization of fat followed by inability to maintain adequate t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Canadian veterinary journal 2012-11, Vol.53 (11), p.1173-1180
Main Authors: Whiting, Terry L, Postey, Rosemary C, Chestley, Seylene T, Wruck, Gustave C
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Body Temperature Regulation - physiology
Cattle
Cattle Diseases - mortality
Cause of Death
Cold Temperature
Female
Forensic Medicine
Heart Arrest - etiology
Heart Arrest - mortality
Heart Arrest - veterinary
Male
Manitoba
Scientific
Starvation - complications
Starvation - mortality
Starvation - veterinary
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Summary:Cattle death by starvation is a persistent annual event in Manitoba. Herds with more than 10% overwinter death loss are usually identified in the late winter or early spring. Field and postmortem findings suggest that there is complete mobilization of fat followed by inability to maintain adequate thermoregulation and death by cardiac arrest. Carcasses show only mild evidence of muscle catabolism and are in excellent preservation if located prior to or around the time of spring thaw. A forensic diagnosis of death by starvation-induced exposure can be made with a high level of confidence when considering field data, whole carcass appearance, and postmortem evaluation of residual fat stores.
ISSN:0008-5286