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Ante Mortem Inspection 

Objectives 

Upon completion of the Ante Mortem Inspection module the trainee will be able to: 

1. Describe the following: 

a. Ante Mortem inspection 

b. Delayed slaughter 

c. Voluntary establishment segregation procedure for swine and sheep 

d. U.S. Suspect 

e. U.S. Condemned 

f. Non-ambulatory disabled 

g. Reasons for ante mortem inspection 

2. Identify the establishment's responsibilities for: 

a. Livestock pens 

b. U.S. Suspect pen for livestock 

c. Floors in livestock pens 

d. Assistance for ante mortem inspection 

3. Identify the equipment and supplies that are needed to perform livestock ante 

mortem inspection. 

4. Describe the appropriate methods for conducting ante mortem inspection. 

5. Complete, given a list of information, the following in livestock inspection: 

a. A pen card 

b. FSIS Form 6150-1 

6. Given a list describing methods used to dispose of a livestock carcass condemned 

on ante mortem, select those methods that are approved by FSIS. 

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Ante Mortem Inspection 

The term ante mortem means “before death.” Ante mortem inspection is the inspection 

of live animals prior to being slaughtered. All livestock presented for slaughter by the 

establishment to which you are assigned must receive ante mortem inspection. This 

inspection is performed by an FSIS veterinarian (PHV) or by a Food Inspector under 

veterinary supervision. If it is performed by a Food Inspector, the PHV must be notified 

of any disease conditions that are observed. 

Authorities 

The Agency’s authority for conducting ante mortem inspection can be traced to the 

statutes. The authority for conducting ante mortem inspection in livestock is found in 21 

U.S. Code (USC), Chapter 12, Section 603, of the Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA). 

The regulations covering ante mortem inspection of livestock are found in Title 9 -

Animals and Animal Products, Chapter III - Food Safety and Inspection Service, 

Department of Agriculture of the Code of Federal Regulations. Part 307.2 addresses the 

requirements for facilities for inspection. Part 309 covers ante mortem inspection. Part 

313 addresses the requirement for humane slaughter of livestock. Although we will 

cover the requirements for humane handling briefly, they are covered more extensively 

in the humane module of this training. 

There are some FSIS Directives related to ante mortem inspection. These are 

instructions to inspection personnel. They include the FSIS Directive 6000.1, Rev.1 

“Responsibilities Related to Foreign Animal Diseases (FADs) and Reportable 

Conditions”, FSIS Directive 6100.1, Revision 2, “Ante Mortem Livestock Inspection”, 

FSIS Directive 6240.1, Rev.2 “Inspection, Sampling, and Disposition of Animals for 

Tuberculosis”, and FSIS Directive 6900.2, Rev 2 “Humane Handing and Slaughter 

of Livestock”. There is also a Questions and Answers issuance associated with 

FSIS Directive 6100.1, Rev.2 

The statutes establish our authority to examine and inspect livestock prior to slaughter. 

Under the statues, we are to accept for slaughter as a result of inspection only those 

animals which are capable of producing products that are acceptable for use as human 

food. With this goal in mind, the purpose of ante mortem inspection is to accept only 

those animals that are healthful, safe from harmful chemical and drug residues, and 

capable of being converted into wholesome product for the consumer. Inspection of live 

animals is a screening process to remove obviously diseased animals from the food 

supply prior to slaughter and to identify animals that require a more extensive 

postmortem examination by an FSIS PHV. It is the first line of defense in protecting the 

public from potentially harmful meat products. Those animals that exhibit abnormal signs 

must be withheld from normal slaughter and segregated for closer examination. 

Establishments are required to handle livestock humanely. When you are performing 

your ante mortem duties, you will also make observations and document any 

noncompliance with the humane handling requirements. Be aware of this as we 

continue. We’ll cover the humane handling requirements in another module. 

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Establishment Responsibilities for Facilities and Conditions 

The regulations identify requirements that the establishment must meet for maintaining 

facilities where ante mortem inspection is to be conducted. You are responsible for 

verifying that the establishment has met the regulatory requirements for maintaining the 

facilities where ante mortem inspection is to be conducted. Let’s review each of the 

requirements. 

The establishment’s responsibilities for maintaining the premises where ante mortem 

inspection is to be conducted for livestock are outlined in 9 CFR 307, which covers 

facilities for inspection, and in 313, the humane handling regulation. Let’s review each of 

them. The pens must be satisfactory for conducting ante mortem inspection, and 

maintained in a sanitary condition (307.2(a)). Pens must be kept clean and be well 

drained (307.2(a)). The pens, driveways, and ramps must be maintained in good repair 

and free from sharp objects that may cause injury or pain to animals (313.1(a)). The 

floors of pens, driveways, and ramps must be well constructed and maintained and 

provide good footing for animals (313.1(b)). 

The lighting must be sufficient for inspection (307.2(b)). You will need to use your 

judgment in determining whether the light is adequate or not. The regulations do not 

specify any measurement or level of light that the establishment is required to provide. 

Suspect pens and restraining devices require more light because these are places 

where animals are more closely examined during inspection. The establishment must 

provide adequate areas for holding animals that are identified by FSIS as suspect and 

condemned (307.2(a)). These are typically designated as the suspect and condemned 

pens. Pens where suspect animals are held must be covered to protect them from 

adverse weather conditions (313.1(c)). Although it is not required by the regulations, it is 

customary for the establishment to provide a weather-tight roof area for proper 

inspection during inclement weather. The establishment typically also provides a 

restraining device such as a chute or squeeze gate for restraining animals and taking 

temperatures during the examination of animals. 

The establishment must provide an adequate system for the identification of animals 

(307.2(a)). Establishment identification cards are commonly used. They are referred to 

by establishment personnel as "pen cards" or "drive cards.” These must be presented to 

the inspector before ante mortem inspection is performed. The purpose of these cards 

is to account for all animals in the pen prior to ante mortem inspection, and to ensure 

that every animal that comes to slaughter has received ante mortem inspection. The 

regulations also require that establishments identify the carcass and parts with the 

animal from which they come (9 CFR 310.2 (a)), and that the establishment maintain 

records of the buyer and seller of livestock (9 CFR 320.1(b)(1)(iv)). Tags are typically 

used to maintain the identity of the carcass and its parts. Pen cards may be used to 

maintain a record of the buyer and seller of the livestock. There are spaces on the pen 

card for the date, the pen and lot number, the species, the breed, the number of animals, 

the inspector's signature, and the time of the day the animals were inspected. In most 

instances, the establishment will record the information directly on the card for you. You 

should, however, check to see that the information is correct. 

It is the responsibility of the establishment to provide adequate, competent employees to 

move, segregate, restrain, identify and dispose of animals (307.2(a)). Do not allow 

yourself to become the establishment foreman in the ante mortem areas. You must 

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closely monitor establishment personnel to assure that they use humane animal 

handling practices at all times. You must also observe good safety practices since large 

animals can be very dangerous. 

If the establishment has not met one or more of its responsibilities, you must take action. 

The action you may take will vary from withholding inspection of a single pen of animals 

until the pen is properly identified, or to withholding inspection of all animal pens 

because the establishment has failed to provide an employee to move and restrain the 

animals. There are more specific details for documenting noncompliance with the 

humane handling regulations that we cover in humane slaughter material. 

Supplies for Performing Ante Mortem Inspection 

The ante mortem inspection of livestock takes place in the pens. Each animal must be 

observed. The following equipment and supplies are recommended for performing ante 

mortem inspection for livestock. You should have access to a thermometer, U.S. 

Suspect and U.S. Condemn tags, tagging pliers and hog rings, and a pencil for writing. 

You may also want to have a pad of paper and a clipboard for taking notes. Many 

inspectors keep all of these items together in a kit that they keep under lock and key in 

the ante mortem area or in the government office. Some of the items you will be 

commonly using are: 

1. A thermometer-This is usually supplied by the establishment management. If you do 

not have one, or if the one you have is broken, request one from establishment 

management. 

2. Tagging Pliers-The tagging pliers, commonly called "hog ringers"; the hog rings are 

used to attach the suspect and condemn tags to the animal's ear. 

3. U.S. Suspect (silver) and U.S. Condemned (red) tags. 

4. FSIS Form 6150-1 (Identification Tag-Ante mortem) is used to record and track 

suspect and condemned animals. 

5. FSIS Form 6502-1 (U. S. Reject/Retain Tag) is attached to areas such as livestock 

pens to show that they are rejected for use because they didn't meet FSIS 

requirements and therefore did not pass inspection. 

Following ante mortem inspection you must record your findings. You will use the FSIS 

Form 6150-1 (Identification Tag-Ante mortem), and possibly the FSIS Form 6200-16 

(Summary of Ante mortem Examination) to record your findings. You will also record 

your findings on the pen card (an establishment form, discussed earlier). Remember 

that the pen card is a part of the procedure used to identify animals as having received 

ante mortem inspection. 

Ante Mortem Methodology 

Part 309 of the regulations covering livestock inspection states that, "All livestock offered 

for slaughter in an official establishment shall be examined and inspected on the day of, 

and before, slaughter.” A few small-volume establishments are allowed exceptions to 

this rule, which will be discussed later. Part 309 goes on to say, "Such ante mortem 

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inspection shall be made in pens on the premises of the establishment at which the 

livestock are offered for slaughter.” If the official establishment serves a dual purpose, 

such as a public stockyard or sale barn, as well as a slaughter facility, separate pens 

must be designated for animals presented for ante mortem inspection and those 

destined for resale. You would only inspect those intended for slaughter. Livestock ante 

mortem must be done by a PHV or a Food Inspector under the supervision of a PHV. 

Ante mortem inspection consists of two steps: 

1. Observe Animals at rest 

2. Observe Animals in motion 

It is important to inspect the animals using both steps because certain abnormal signs, 

such as labored breathing, are easier to detect while the animals are at rest, while other 

abnormalities, such as lameness, are more easily detected while in motion. Since the 

regulations do not require in motion inspection from both sides, you must use your 

discretion during ante mortem. You or your supervisor may determine that in motion 

inspection from both sides is necessary to determine if the animals are eligible to be 

passed for regular slaughter. An example of this may be in high pathology cattle 

establishments with a greater incidence of acti, epithelioma, or injection site reactions 

which all can be unilateral in nature. 

When you perform at-rest inspection, position yourself at various locations outside the 

pen. Observe all of the animals and note their general behavior while they're at rest. 

Determine if any of the animals show abnormal behavior patterns such as excessive 

excitability or severe depression. Look at the heads, necks, sides, rumps, and legs of as 

many animals as you can see. Make a note of any abnormalities. 

When you perform in-motion inspection of the animals, you should position yourself 

outside of the pen next to the open gate so that you can easily view the animals as they 

are driven by you. You should direct the establishment employee to move all of the 

animals slowly and individually out of the pen while you observe them for abnormalities 

by viewing the visible side of the head, neck, shoulder, flank, legs, and rump. If the pen 

size permits, you may want to position yourself inside the pen and direct the 

establishment employee to move the animals past you in the pen. Do this only if it is 

safe. In general, it is only safe to position yourself inside the pen when inspecting small 

livestock such as sheep, market-sized hogs (up to 250 lbs.) and calves. It cannot be 

overemphasized to always be alert and think safety. Cattle can be surprisingly fast and 

agile, particularly when agitated or startled. Never go into a pen of large livestock. This is 

especially true of a pen with a bull or a cow with a calf. Don't make the mistake of 

performing in-motion inspection immediately behind a loose, swinging gate. As the 

animals are driven out of the pen, they could push against the swinging gate and force it 

against you. Also, never position yourself in a corner or in a place that allows no escape 

to safety should an animal turn aggressive. Don't climb on high, unstable fences to view 

the animals during ante mortem inspection. As in all areas of the establishment, wearing 

your safety helmet during ante mortem inspection is a good safety practice. 

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Voluntary Segregation, Delayed Slaughter, and Emergency Slaughter 

In addition to the manner in which ante mortem inspection has just been described, 

there are other ways for performing it. They include establishment segregation 

procedures, delayed, and emergency ante mortem inspection. 

The establishment to which you are assigned may be using voluntary segregation 

procedures, formerly known as the alternative method of ante mortem inspection. 

Provided the establishment properly presents animals for ante mortem inspection 

and properly follows the Humane Slaughter Act, FSIS does permit an establishment to 

voluntarily segregate abnormal animals to facilitate the scheduling of animals for 

slaughter. FSIS will only permit market classes of swine and sheep (i.e., market hogs 

and lambs), arriving for regular slaughter (i.e., not arriving for slaughter under any 

APHIS Veterinary Services permit or certificate) to be voluntarily segregated by the 

establishment prior to FSIS ante mortem inspection activities provided that: 

A. market classes of animals comprise the predominant class slaughtered at the 

establishment, 

B. the establishment has documented its segregation procedures in a 

prerequisite program or HACCP plan, 

C. all animals are presented to inspection program personnel for examination, 

D. the procedures in the prerequisite program and related records are available 

to inspection personnel upon request. 

E. voluntary segregation is not allowed for any class of cattle. 

If the establishment is using voluntary segregation procedures you will verify that the 

segregation procedures are only for market classes of swine and lambs. While 

performing ante mortem inspection, you will examine all animals found normal by the 

establishment while the animals are “at rest” and select 5 to 10 percent of all animals 

presented for ante mortem inspection from several lots and observe them on each side 

in motion. You will instruct the establishment to move abnormal animals that may be 

condemned under 9 CFR Part 311 to the designated “Suspect” pen for final disposition 

by the PHV and you will randomly observe establishment personnel performing 

segregation procedures. 

Delayed slaughter is covered in the regulations (309.1(a)). Basically, delayed slaughter 

is a method of inspection that allows certain low volume establishments, with prior 

approval of the frontline supervisor (FLS), to have ante mortem inspection done the 

afternoon of the day before the animals are slaughtered. For example, a low-volume 

establishment may be planning to slaughter two hogs on Friday morning at a time when 

you will be conducting inspection duties at another establishment. If the establishment is 

approved for delayed slaughter, it is permissible for you to perform ante mortem 

inspection late Thursday afternoon when you are at the establishment. Delayed 

slaughter is not permitted for any class of cattle. 

Special provisions have been made to allow the emergency slaughter of seriously 

injured animals during other than normal inspection time. As an example, on a Sunday a 

truck headed for a slaughtering establishment overturns and several of the animals are 

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seriously injured. As a result, the establishment wants to slaughter the animals 

immediately rather than have them suffer pain until slaughtering operations begin on 

Monday morning. The establishment must contact FSIS personnel, explain the situation, 

and arrangements must be made for the inspection to take place. If the establishment is 

unable to contact FSIS personnel, the emergency slaughter provision allows 

establishment personnel to slaughter the animals without ante mortem inspection 

provided the carcass and all parts, including the viscera, are retained for postmortem 

inspection by FSIS. One very important thing to remember about emergency slaughter: 

It is NOT intended to cover the slaughter of sick or dying animals, only those that are 

seriously injured. So animals that are sick or dying from a disease are not covered by 

emergency slaughter. In addition, emergency slaughter is not permitted for cattle. 

Ante Mortem Dispositions 

There are three possible outcomes, or dispositions, that follow ante mortem inspection: 

(1) passed for slaughter, 

(2) U.S. Suspect, and 

(3) U.S. Condemned 

Let’s discuss each of these outcomes in more detail. The animal can be passed for 

slaughter. This means that the animals were determined to be fit for human food. 

Those animals that clearly exhibit signs of diseases and conditions listed in the 

regulations must be condemned. This means that they are clearly not fit for human food, 

and they must be destroyed and not allowed to enter commerce as human food. Then 

there are those animals that may exhibit signs of the diseases or conditions defined in 

the regulations, but further confirmation during post mortem inspection is needed before 

condemning the carcass or a part of the carcass. In each of these three cases, there 

are certain things that you must do. Let’s review each situation for livestock. 

Passed for Slaughter 

After you complete ante mortem inspection and properly record the results, you will then 

take action based on your findings. You will allow the animals that you have determined 

to be free of the diseases and conditions described in the regulations, and therefore fit 

for human food, to be released for slaughter. You will certify this to the establishment by 

signing, dating, and recording the time of ante mortem inspection on the establishment’s 

pen card. 

After you inspect the animals, you sign the card and write the time the animals received 

inspection. Signing the card indicates that the animals have received ante mortem 

inspection and are ready for slaughter. The pen card is taken from the pen and delivered 

to the postmortem inspector by a establishment employee prior to or at the time the 

animals are driven inside the establishment for slaughter. The postmortem inspector 

collects all of the pen cards and compares the number of animals recorded on the cards 

with the number of animals being slaughtered. This is done to determine if all animals 

being slaughtered have received ante mortem inspection. The signed pen cards for each 

day's operation are held in the inspection office for one full week after the end of the 

previous slaughter week. 

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Suspect 

Some of the animals may exhibit signs that cause you to question whether the animal is 

affected by a disease or condition described in the regulations (309.2). You will direct 

the establishment to place a U.S. Suspect tag in the animal’s ear and to segregate those 

animals with abnormal signs into the U.S. Suspect pen for further observation by the 

PHV after you have completed the ante mortem inspection. We’ll cover some signs that 

will cause you to suspect animals of diseases and conditions listed in the regulations in 

the next section. But for now, a couple of simple examples of animals that should be 

tagged as U.S. Suspect and placed in the U.S. Suspect pen are animals that are 

seriously crippled and those that are non-ambulatory. Non-ambulatory livestock were 

formerly called “downers”; that term has been removed from the regulations and is no 

longer used. The exception is non-ambulatory cattle, which are to be condemned. 

Section 309.2(n) states that all animals that are suspect must be set apart and 

slaughtered separately. When animals are placed in the U.S. Suspect pen, they must 

be accompanied by FSIS Form 6150-1 (309.2 (o)). 

After further examination of an animal in the U.S. Suspect pen, the PVH may determine 

that the animal is not fit for human food according to the regulations and that it must be 

condemned. Alternately, the PHV may determine that the suspect animal is normal or 

that the abnormal signs you observed are not severe enough to have the animal 

suspected or condemned. This animal may be released for slaughter. If the 

establishment employee moves this animal out of the U.S. Suspect pen and into a 

different pen, be sure to make the necessary changes on the pen card. A third 

possibility is to have the suspect animal slaughtered separately and given a thorough 

postmortem examination by the PHV. 

Section 309.2 (p) provides for occasions when the establishment requests and receives 

permission to hold an animal for treatment in an effort to improve the animal's condition 

to the point that it may become eligible for slaughter. This "on-premises treatment" is a 

relatively rare occurrence, but, if it does occur, the PHV has certain responsibilities. The 

identity of the animal must be maintained throughout the treatment period. The animal 

must be placed in a separate pen identified with a pen card. In addition, the FSIS Form 

6150-1 must be changed. Cross out the word, "slaughter," and write in the phrase "held 

for treatment" in the appropriate space. Following the treatment, the PHV will examine 

the animal and direct you as to what action to take. 

Another possibility is that the establishment may request and receive permission to have 

an animal treated off-premises, such as at a local veterinary clinic. These animals must 

also be kept in an identified pen until they are picked up for treatment. The U.S. Suspect 

tag is removed just before the animal is shipped. The tag can be removed because a 

different type of identification system will be used to identify the animal after it leaves the 

establishment premises. There is an exception to this - non-ambulatory disabled cattle 

including veal calves must be condemned and promptly humanely euthanized. Nonambulatory disabled cattle cannot be set aside for treatment either on or off 

establishment premises. 

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Condemned 

An animal that is condemned during ante mortem inspection is not eligible for slaughter 

because it has been identified as having diseases or conditions specified in the 

regulations that make it unfit for human food. For example, 309.3 states that dead, 

dying, disabled, or diseased livestock are to be condemned. It is your responsibility to 

identify the animal so that it is neither slaughtered nor used for human food. This is 

accomplished by placing a U. S. Condemned tag in the animal's ear. The FSIS Form 

6150-1 must also be completed. The number of the U. S. Condemned tag that was 

placed in the animal's ear is written in the space provided on the form. 

On July 18, 2016, FSIS published the final rule “Requirements for the Disposition

of Non-Ambulatory Disabled Veal Calves” (81 FR 46570). The final rule removes a 

provision in 9 CFR 309.13(b) that permits establishments to set apart and hold for 

treatment veal calves that are unable to rise from a recumbent position and walk 

because they are tired or cold. The final rule requires all non-ambulatory disabled 

cattle, including non-ambulatory disabled veal calves, to be condemned and 

promptly disposed of in accordance with 9 CFR 309.13. Prohibiting the slaughter of 

all non-ambulatory disabled veal calves will improve compliance with the Humane 

Methods of Slaughter Act of 1978 (HMSA) and the humane slaughter regulations. 

Section 309.13 covers the regulatory requirements for the disposition of condemned 

livestock. Any livestock that is condemned must have a U. S. Condemned tag placed in 

its ear. The FSIS PHV usually completes form 6150-1, and ensures that the 

establishment properly disposes of the condemned animal. 

Since the establishment cannot slaughter a condemned animal nor use it for human 

food, the establishment usually promptly kills the animal and immediately disposes of the 

carcass in one of two ways that have been approved by regulation. Many establishments 

have their own disposal equipment and facilities. When a carcass is disposed of in this 

way, it is termed "on-premises rendering." Establishments that do not have their own 

disposal equipment and facilities have the carcass sent to some other place. This is 

called "off-premises disposal." Regardless of the establishment's method of disposal, 

inspection personnel have certain responsibilities. These responsibilities are detailed in 

regulations under 9 CFR Part 314, Handling and Disposal of Condemned or Other 

Inedible Products at Official Establishments. Refer to this regulation when your job 

assignment requires you to oversee the disposal of a condemned animal. 

Here’s an example. Obviously, as indicated earlier, a dead animal may not be used for 

human food. When you observe an animal that arrives at the establishment dead or 

subsequently dies in a pen, including the suspect pen, you must make sure that there is 

an adequate control to prevent the animal from entering the food supply. You must take 

the following steps: 

1. Identify the animal as condemned with a red U.S. Condemned tag. 

2. Fill out an FSIS Form 6150-1 and write the words "Dead in Pens" or "Dead on Arrival" 

in the "Tagged For" space. 

3. Have the animal properly disposed of. (Follow the requirements in 9 CFR Part 314) 

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Special Circumstances 

If an animal that has been designated as a U.S. Suspect dies in the pens, you must 

have the U.S. Suspect tag removed and replaced with U.S. Condemned tag and make 

the necessary changes on the FSIS Form 6150-1. 

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FSIS Form 6150-1 

As indicated earlier, when you perform the ante mortem inspection procedure, you 

observe each animal for abnormal signs. When you find an animal exhibiting signs of the 

diseases and conditions described in the regulations, you may be called upon to record 

the signs on the FSIS Form 6150-1. The form has two sections. The upper section 

contains most of the information that identifies the animal, such as the kind of animal, 

sex of the animal, and the animal's approximate weight. You will complete the upper 

section of the card. Under the "kind of animal" section, terms like Hereford, Jersey, 

Buffalo, Santa Gertrudis, Hampshire, Yorkshire, Duroc, etc., should be used. When you 

are using a single 6150-1 form to identify more than one animal, be sure to indicate the 

number in the section "kind of animal": 3 Herefords, 2 Holsteins, etc. Also record all back 

tag numbers, ear tag numbers, etc., for each animal. The lower section, the postmortem 

report, will be completed by the PHV responsible for postmortem inspection. 

The FSIS Form 6150-1 contains the following sections: 

Slaughter at establishment - Indicate the official establishment number where the animal 

is to be slaughtered. 

Condemned or suspect tag - If you apply a U.S. Suspect tag, enter the number of the tag 

and cross out the word "condemned?' 

Sex - Use terms like bull, cow, heifer, shoat, ewe, barrow, etc. 

Tagged for - Indicate the condition for which you tagged the animal, (e.g., 

actinobacillosis, epithelioma, downer, TB reactor, pneumonia, broken leg, etc.). If you 

feel it is necessary to add more information, use a phrase like "see back of form" and 

then write the information on the back of the form. 

Temperature - Indicate the temperature in degrees F. You must take the temperature of 

all non-ambulatory disabled livestock, TB reactors, mastitis elimination cows, and all 

animals exhibiting signs of an abnormal temperature. 

Weight - Estimate the animal's weight in pounds. 

Remarks - The PHV will complete the remarks section after determining the ante 

mortem disposition and then sign and date the form. Depending on local policy, the 

optional postmortem report section may or may not be completed. 

FSIS Form 6200-16 

The FSIS Form 6200-16 (Summary of Ante mortem Examination) is used to record daily 

ante mortem activities. This form is optional and its use is at the discretion of the 

Frontline Supervisor. 

General Signs of Diseases and Conditions 

This section covers some general signs that indicate an animal may have a condition or 

disease referenced in the regulations, making it unwholesome, adulterated, or unfit for 

human food. In general, these signs include the following. 

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Body movement 

Body condition 

Signs on the body’s surface 

Abnormal Body Movement 

Ante mortem signs that indicate an animal may have a condition or disease referenced 

in the regulations can be associated with body movement and action, body position, 

condition, function, surfaces, discharges, and body odor. Some examples of the signs 

associated with body movement, action and position include: 

1. Lameness or limping-sometimes the cause of lameness is rather obvious; sometimes 

not. 

2. Stiffness and pain-lameness may be caused by arthritis in one or more joints. 

3. Central Nervous System (CNS) diseases-certain diseases such as rabies and 

listeriosis can affect the brain and CNS. The animal may appear extremely nervous or 

restless, excessively anxious or upset, or stagger or circle. 

4. Certain poisons and toxic residues that the animal has been exposed to may cause 

abnormal movement and action, such as staggering or circling. 

5. Depression or disinterest may be a sign that the animal is in a dying or moribund 

state. A moribund animal may not respond to noises or other stimuli. Animals in a 

moribund condition are not eligible for slaughter. 

6. It is possible that an animal that is depressed or fails to respond normally to stimuli 

could be under the influence of a tranquilizer. Tranquilized animals are not eligible for 

slaughter. Tranquilizers and other drugs have specific withdrawal periods that must 

elapse before the animal is eligible for slaughter. 

7. An animal may be disoriented and run into things or butt its head against objects. 

8. Animals may scratch excessively or rub their hide against objects. Scratching and 

rubbing associated with hair loss may indicate that the animal has lice or mange 

infestation. Scabies is a mange condition that is a reportable disease. The PHV must 

report this condition to other health agencies. These agencies may want to take skin 

scrapings from the animal to confirm the diagnosis. 

9. Animals may have muscle tremors or shivering, hold their head to one side, or have 

any number of abnormal gaits. 

10. Animals may strain and assume abnormal body positions. For example, urinary or 

intestinal disorders may cause straining and abnormal positions such as arching of 

the back, tucking in of the abdomen (stomach), and extending the neck and tail. 

11. An animal may have difficulty in rising or be unable to get up at all or be standing 

but unable to walk (or ambulate). These animals may be recumbent non-ambulatory 

or standing non-ambulatory for a variety of reasons ranging from an injury to severe 

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illness or depression. All non-ambulatory livestock must be examined by the PHV. 

The PHV may choose to examine these animals where they are rather that move 

them to the U.S. Suspect pen to avoid unnecessary handling and pain or injury to 

the animal. All cattle that are non-ambulatory when presented for ante mortem must 

be condemned. 

Abnormal Body Condition 

You will also see animals with signs associated with abnormal body condition. Examples 

of abnormal body condition include: 

1. Animals that are extremely thin and weak - you may see animals that are thin and 

weak due to chronic disease problems such as pericarditis, pneumonia, nephritis, 

etc. Animals that are in very poor condition and exhibit other signs such as 

depression, lethargy, respiratory difficulty, etc., should be placed in the U.S. 

Suspect pen. Remember, though, that animals can be normally thin. So thinness 

alone may not be an abnormal sign. For example, some old cows may be very thin, 

but they may be bright and alert, have a good appetite, and show no other abnormal 

signs. They should not be placed in the U.S. Suspect pen. 

2. Calves (especially when very young) may be weak, thin, and dehydrated. They may 

be uncoordinated or barely able to stand. They should be placed in the U.S. 

Suspect pen. 

Abnormal signs associated with body functions include respiratory distress such as 

labored or rapid breathing. These signs are commonly seen in animals with lung 

disorders such as pneumonia. Coughing and sneezing are other signs associated with 

pneumonia and other respiratory disorders. 

You may occasionally see animals in the act of parturition, which is giving birth to young. 

The regulations prohibit the slaughter of these animals for human food until after they 

have given birth and passed the placenta (afterbirth). A cow with mastitis may have a 

hot, hard, swollen, and tender udder. Milk secretion may have partially or entirely 

stopped. A loss of appetite may be present. In advanced cases, the udder may become 

hardened throughout. 

Animals may exhibit pain. Pain may be manifested by signs such as groaning, grunting, 

or grinding of teeth. You may also see animals that have difficulty drinking and 

swallowing or appear to be blind. All of these signs are abnormal and may be associated 

with a great variety of diseases. 

It is not uncommon during ante mortem inspection to observe an animal with an eye 

missing. Any bovine with an eye missing must be handled as a U. S. Suspect. Be sure to 

place this animal in the U. S. Suspect pen for the PHV to examine. These animals are 

suspects for epithelioma (cancer eye). 

Abnormal Signs on the Body’s Surface 

There are a great number of abnormal signs associated with body surfaces. Injuries and 

fractures are included in this group. When observing animals, be on the alert for 

abnormal growths, swellings, and enlargements such as hernias. Two common 

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conditions you may see are actinomycosis and epithelioma. Actinomycosis (commonly 

called "acti" or "lumpy jaw") involves the bony structures of the head, particularly the 

lower jaw (mandible). Epithelioma (commonly referred to as "cancer eye" or "bug eye") is 

a neoplastic growth involving the eye, eyelids, and the orbital region. The tumor appears 

to originate in either the cornea, third eyelid, or the eyelids. Herefords are by far the 

breed most commonly affected. 

Abnormalities of the skin and mucus membranes will be observed while performing ante 

mortem inspection. Animals may exhibit a variety of skin lesions including papillomas 

(warts). They may have a roughened, dry, or dehydrated hair coat or large patches of 

hair missing. Be on the lookout for superficial ulcers, sores, blisters or vesicles, 

particularly around the feet or around the mouth. There are several diseases that may 

cause these signs, including the dreaded foot-and-mouth disease, which is a reportable 

disease. If lesions are infested with maggots, notify the PHV because he or she will have 

to collect samples and send them to the laboratory. The laboratory will examine the 

maggots to see if they are screwworm larvae. Allied government animal health agencies 

work vigilantly to ensure that screwworm flies are not reestablished in this country. 

The color of exposed membranes of the body, such as the gums or the eyes, may be an 

indication of a disease condition. The membranes may appear reddened, or very pale, 

or may have a yellowish color to them. 

While observing body surfaces, be on the lookout for injection sites. Abnormal swelling, 

especially in the round or neck areas, could be an indication that animal was recently 

given an injection. Approved drugs have a very specific withdrawal period prior to 

slaughter that, if not followed, can result in potentially harmful residues in the muscle 

tissue. If you observe an injection site on an animal, you must make it a U. S. Suspect 

so that the PHV can perform tests to determine if residues are present in the tissues. 

Animals may also show signs of abnormal body discharges or abnormal odors. 

Abnormal discharges can include excessive salivation, diarrhea, blood, and pus. In a 

broad sense, animals with a retained placenta (afterbirth) can be included in this group. 

Be sure that animals with a retained placenta are placed in the U.S. Suspect pen as the 

regulations prohibit the slaughtering of such animals until all the membranes have been 

passed. 

Along with a thorough visual examination of animals, your sense of smell is a very 

important aspect of performing ante mortem inspection. For example, an animal may 

have a prolapsed rectum or uterus that has become infected and results in a strong, foul 

odor. At times when looking at a large pen of animals you may not at first see a wound 

or prolapse, but you may detect the characteristic odor that will alert you to look more 

closely at the animals. An epithelioma of the eye that has become infected is another 

example of an abnormality that may be associated with a very characteristic foul odor. 

One of the steps in examining suspect livestock the PHV can perform is to take the 

temperature of the animal. This chart shows the range of normal body temperatures, as 

well as the condemnation temperatures, for the various species. The regulations 

specifically state a certain temperature at which the PHV must condemn the animal. This 

chart is given as a reference. 

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Article I. Normal Animal Temperature Ranges 

Cattle Swine Sheep Horses 

Maximum 102.5 104.0 104.0 100.5 

Average 101.5 102.5 102.5 100.0 

Minimum 100.0 100.5 102.0 99.0 

Veterinarian Condemns on Ante mortem if: 

105.0 106.0 105.0 105.0 

Vaccine Livestock 

Section 309.11 of the regulations state that, “Vaccine livestock with unhealed lesions of 

vaccine, accompanied with fever, which have not been exposed to any other infectious 

or contagious disease are not required to be slaughtered and may be released for 

removal from the premises.”

Biological Residues 

Section 309.16 of the regulations covers livestock suspected of having biological 

residues. This includes livestock that have been exposed to any type of substance that 

would make the carcass or parts unfit for human food or otherwise adulterated. These 

livestock must be condemned. They may be held under the custody of FSIS until the 

animal’s metabolic processes have reduced the residue sufficiently for the carcass or 

parts to become fit for human food and not adulterated. In these cases, once the 

holding time period has passed, the animal must be returned for slaughter and be reexamined in ante mortem inspection. It is permitted to allow these animals to be 

slaughtered for the purpose of collecting tissue to conduct an analysis of the residue. 

The analysis can include in-plant screening tests. 

Research Animals 

Section 309.17 covers livestock that have been used for research purposes. The 

regulations prohibit the slaughter of any livestock that have been used in experiments 

involving biological products, drugs, or chemicals unless the establishment has written 

documentation of the safety of these animals from an appropriate authority, such as 

APHIS, EPA, or FDA. Any animals that have been subjected to food additives or 

pesticide chemicals must demonstrate compliance with the FDA tolerance levels for 

these substances. The PHV may deny or withdraw slaughter for any suspect animals to 

ensure that all products that are prepared at the establishment are free from 

adulteration. 

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Veterinary Services 

Veterinary Services (VS) is an organizational unit of the Animal and Plant Health 

Inspection Service (APHIS). The overall mission of VS is to control or eradicate 

specified animal diseases in this country. Your role will be to contact the PHV when you 

suspect animals of having a disease. Reportable diseases include anthrax, bluetongue, 

cysticercosis, scabies, tuberculosis, contagious ecthyma, myiasis (screwworm), scrapie, 

and vesicular diseases. Of these diseases, anthrax, cysticercosis, tuberculosis, and 

contagious ecthyma are transmissible to humans. Foreign animal diseases include 

bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), foot and mouth disease, rinderpest, African 

swine fever, hog cholera, contagious bovine pleuropneumonia, and Teschen's disease. 

In most cases, VS will want the animal held so they can examine it. For example, in the 

case of livestock, the PHV will first identify the animal with a reportable disease as U. S 

Condemned and then have the animal placed in a separate pen identified with a pen 

card. The establishment employees will be notified that the animal is not to be removed 

from the pen for any reason without the permission of the PHV or some other animal 

health official. 

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Ante Mortem Workshop 

Write your answers in the space provided. 

1. State the body temperature at which each of the following species must be 

condemned. 

Cattle Sheep Swine 

2. Which tag should be used for tagging an animal found dead in the pens? 

Silver U. S. Suspect tag 

Red U. S. Condemned tag 

A tag is not necessary 

3. Non-ambulatory disabled livestock 

An animal unable to rise or walk 

An animal showing signs of an abnormal condition 

An animal found dead in the pens 

4. U.S. Suspect 

An animal that is obviously sick 

An animal that will not respond to stimuli 

An animal identified with a U.S. Suspect tag in its ear or one that has been 

segregated into the U.S. Suspect pen because of an abnormal condition 

5. U.S. Suspect tag 

"U.S. Rejected." 

A serially numbered metal tag bearing the term "U.S. Suspect" and is silver 

in color 

6. U.S. Condemned tag 

A serially numbered metal ear tag bearing the term "U.S. Condemned"-

usually red in color 

The paper tag used to identify equipment or product as "U.S. Retained" or 

"U.S. Rejected" 

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7. Emergency slaughter 

The humane slaughter of an animal which has become sick or is in a dying 

state during the time an inspector is not on duty or not available for 

inspection 

The humane slaughter of an animal which is or was injured at night, on a 

holiday, or during a weekend, and an inspector is not on duty or not 

available for inspection 

8. From the following list of facilities and equipment, select those that the official 

establishment must provide according to regulatory requirements: (Ref. 9 CFR 307 

and 313) 

Covered suspect pen 

Sufficient lighting in the pens 

Satisfactory assistants to handle livestock 

Suspect and condemned tags 

Satisfactory equipment for ante mortem inspection 

Curbs at least 12" high around the ante mortem pens 

Drinking water for livestock in all holding pens 

Adequate hose connections for cleanup purposes 

Paved and drained pens and alleyways 

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9. Use the following information to complete the pen card below: 

You just performed ante mortem inspection on 24 animals (13 Holstein cows, 5 

Angus steers, and 6 Hereford heifers) in pen #16. They are in Lot #39. One of the 

13 cows had a vaginal prolapse; therefore, you had her placed in the U. S. Suspect 

pen 

DATE 

PEN CARD 

PEN#_ 

SPECIES: LOT 

BREED: 

NUMBER: 

TIME_ SIGNATURE 

10. What happens to the above pen card when the animals are sent to slaughter? 

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11. Complete the FSIS Form 6150-1 using the following information: 

You performed ante mortem inspection on this date at Est. 38. The PHV 

condemned one Hereford bull for epithelioma. (back tag #999 and condemn tag 

#456) 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 

FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE 

MEAT AND POULTRY INSPECTION OPERATIONS 

IDENTIFICATION TAG-ANTE MORTEM 

SLAUGHTER AT EST. NO. 

CONDEMNED OR SUSPECT TAG NO. 

KIND OF ANIMAL SEX 

TAGGED FOR 

TEMPERATURE WEIGHT 

REMARKS 

INSPECTOR DATE 

FINDINGS 

POST MORTEM REPORT 

DISPOSAL 

INSPECTOR DATE 

FSIS FORM 6150-1 REPLACES MP 402-2 

(9/99) 9/83 WHICH MAY BE 

USED UNTIL EXHAUSTED 

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