Spotty Livers

[greengrass3 0]

Has anyone any ideas on why 75% of the fallow deer I have shot in the last year have had white spots on their liver? These seem to be located mostly on the livers edge and not deep within. I am finding them in fallow of all ages and sexes but not in roe and muntjac from the same location. I have only noticed this in the last year. It has never been a major problem in previous years. Would appreciate suggestions. Greengrass3

[Guest joe ox]

When I worked in the slaughterhouse the meat inspectors would condem livers with white lumps on. Possibly liver fluke?

Edited May 22, 2009 by joe ox

[Cumbrian 7]

When I worked in the slaughterhouse the meat inspectors would condem livers with white lumps on. Possibly liver fluke?

 

If you cut into the livers and you will be able to tell if its fluke as the little sods will be visible , sounds like the cystic stages (cystercurcus tenuicolis) of the dog tapeworm Taenia Hydatigenia which the sheep, cattle and DEER are the host in the worms life cycle .

As a Meat Inspector I see this every day , this does not affect the meat in any way , just rejection of the liver , just to say also check in the diaphragm

as you might see a little sac filled with a liquid hanging from the flesh , this is where the the worms have passed from the liver and stuck to the diaphragm wall and are usually the worst because these are still alive (viable ) and not like the white lumps in the liver (cystic) . Basically dont feed any to your dog ???

Hope this is of some help !!

thanks Brian

[greengrass3 0]

When I worked in the slaughterhouse the meat inspectors would condem livers with white lumps on. Possibly liver fluke?

 

If you cut into the livers and you will be able to tell if its fluke as the little sods will be visible , sounds like the cystic stages (cystercurcus tenuicolis) of the dog tapeworm Taenia Hydatigenia which the sheep, cattle and DEER are the host in the worms life cycle .

As a Meat Inspector I see this every day , this does not affect the meat in any way , just rejection of the liver , just to say also check in the diaphragm

as you might see a little sac filled with a liquid hanging from the flesh , this is where the the worms have passed from the liver and stuck to the diaphragm wall and are usually the worst because these are still alive (viable ) and not like the white lumps in the liver (cystic) . Basically dont feed any to your dog ???

Hope this is of some help !!

thanks Brian

Brian. Thanks for info. It does appear to be fluke but I wonder why such a large proportion of fallow of all ages have it and no roe or muntie? I shot an old roe buck last evening and liver clean as a whistle.

Regards Greengrass3