Meat technology update
97/4 – July 1997
Reprinted November 2006
Ecchymosis, Blood Splash
and Blood Spotting
Ecchymosis, or blood splash, is an streaking can occur simultaneously,
escape of red blood cells from blood blood streaking is an aggravated form of
vessels into the surrounding muscle. blood spotting.
The haemorrhage may result from
rupture of blood vessels - usually very Ecchymosis or blood splash
small ones (capillaries) - or sometimes
from leakage of red blood cells through The exact cause of ecchymosis is not
small holes in imperfect blood vessels. known, but it involves high pressures in
In fresh meat the haemorrhages appear the blood vessels, or weak blood vessels,
as dark red spots, usually not more than or a combination of the two.
1 cm in diameter.
Preslaughter excitement and other
These spots are most noticeable on psychological or emotional stresses lead
surfaces within the body cavity, and are to a general increase in blood pressure in
commonly found in the diaphragm and the larger blood vessels and an increase
forequarters, and in the heart, lungs and in the amount of blood in the smaller
gall bladder. They can also occur as vessels. At stunning, the blood pressure
spots of blood in any muscle, and may be and heart rate increase. It is probable
noticed during cutting in the boning room that rupture of the distended smaller
or in cured meat products. blood vessels is caused by vigorous
muscular contractions during electrical
“Speckle” describes the condition similar stunning and during struggling which
to ecchymosis, when blood spots are occurs after stunning.
found in subcutaneous fatty tissues and
on connective tissue membranes. If sticking can be completed, and thus
blood pressure released within a few
Blood spotting or streaking sometimes seconds of stunning, blood splash is
occurs on the surface of fat. Surface reduced to a very low incidence. This
blood spots are called petechial may be because blood pressure drops
haemorrhages and can vary in diameter quickly, or was prevented from reaching
from 0.5 to 3.0 mm. These high levels initially.
haemorrhages are quite different from
ecchymosis, as they exist in and on the Ineffective electrical or mechanical
surface fat but not in the muscle. stunning (e.g. double stunning) may lead
Although blood spotting and blood to blood pressure being high for a longer
period, resulting in increased blood
splash.
Some diseases may weaken the blood (c) Bleeding should be carried out
vessel walls and result in an increased as soon as possible after
occurrence of haemorrhages. stunning.
Climatic conditions appear to influence the 2. Electrical stunning of smallstock
incidence of the disorder. It is most
prevalent in hot weather. The animal must become rigid
immediately the stunning electrodes
Subcutaneous ‘speckle’ in mutton and lamb - are applied. If it escapes from the
the condition similar to ecchymosis - appears electrodes or the initial contact is
to result from shearing of blood vessels insufficient to produce rigidity, the
during the stun. Speckle is aggravated by animal becomes distressed and
long stunning times when electric stunning is struggles which, in turn, makes it more
used, and also by tight restraining difficult to apply the electrodes. If a
conveyors. If it looks like a mild wool-pull particular electrical stunning method
bruise along the side of the carcase, this is persistently leads to interrupted
likely to be due to the wool being pulled stunning, it can be improved in the
between the sheep’s body and the restrainer following ways. It may be possible to
as the animal goes into a spasm. improve the presentation of the animal
to the slaughterman, so that the
Feed may be a contributory factor to the electrodes are then easier to place
occurrence of ecchymosis. Anticoagulant accurately and firmly. It may also be
(anti-bloodclotting) substances in some types possible to improve the equipment to
of pasture may predispose animals to blood reduce the electrical resistance of the
splash. animal and the electrodes.
Prevention (a) Minimise stress and
excitement.
1. Stunning cattle
(b) Animals should not be allowed
(a) Animals should not be excited to remain in a restraining race
or stressed before stunning. for long periods, and should be
stunned at an even rate.
(b) Stunning must be done quickly
and effectively. With both (c) The incidence and severity of
penetrating bolt stunners and ecchymosis can be reduced by
‘mushroom head’ stunners, the using low stunning currents and
placement of the bolt or head at short stunning times. The
the correct position on the lowest voltage found to give
animal’s skull is very important satisfactory stunning should be
and this requires skilled used, particularly for lambs and
operators and well designed other young animals. The
knocking boxes or restrainers. voltage and the time of
The use of the appropriate application needed for young
cartridge or the correct air animals is less than that
pressure (for air-powered needed for older animals.
stunners) is essential, as is
regular maintenance of the Voltage and time settings are
stunning equipment. Avoid the also affected by factors such as
need for double stunning. the length of the fleece, amount
of moisture on the skin or hide
2
in contact with the electrodes, completely intact throughout the dressing
and the type of machine in use. process.
Correct electrode placement
and establishment of the right When the selvage is damaged to any
current flow (amperage) significant extent during dressing, instead of
through the brain are the some of the superficial blood vessels simply
important factors. being ruptured beneath the selvage surface,
the blood vessels are severed altogether and
blood may run from the open ends to form
(d) Regular maintenance is streaks.
necessary. The electrodes As the pelt is pulled from the carcase, a band
should be kept clean and, with of pressure bears on the tissues adjacent to
probe types, the points the line of separation. In inverted dressing
sharpened regularly. systems, as this pressure band moves over
the loins and hindquarters of the carcase, it
(e) The animals should be bled as pushes blood through the veins near the
soon as possible after stunning. carcase surface. This pressure eventually
The interval between stunning ruptures some of these vessels (as the pelt
and commencement of is separated from the carcase), and blood
bleeding ideally should not invades the surrounding tissue or leaks
exceed 10 seconds. through broken veins onto the surface of the
carcase.
If ecchymosis occurs, it is useful to record
the number of animals affected in mobs of
Reducing blood spotting or streaking
known history over a period of time. In this
way it is sometimes possible to identify
Efficient bleeding is not the sole answer to
reasons and remedy the situation. If
eliminating blood spotting and blood
ecchymosis occurs more often in animals
streaking. On the other hand, the severity of
from certain farms and/or areas, this may
blood spotting can be reduced by efficient
indicate a pasture and/or stress problem.
bleeding. To maximise efficient bleeding:
Blood spotting or blood • The vena cava must be fully severed
streaking with a thoracic stick.
During dressing on inverted dressing lines, • As much time as possible should be
surface blood spots and streaks can occur allowed for bleeding prior to inverting
on the hindquarters of ovine carcases and the carcase.
financially impact the industry. However,
these two blemishes can be reduced by • Carcases should be hung vertically for
ensuring efficient bleeding and using as long as possible before putting them
adequate lead-up work before mechanical on the spreaders. When on the
pelt pulling commences. spreaders, the carcase head and
shoulders should be positioned below
Whilst it is possible to reduce the incidence the back and the hind legs to provide as
of blood spotting and streaking, it is complete and rapid bleeding as
unrealistic to expect to avoid it completely on possible, and to minimise
all carcases processed on an inverted pooling of blood in the tissues near the
dressing line. surface of the back.
Observations in trials established to • The time during which the carcase is in
determine the causes of blood spotting and the inverted position prior to pelting
possible remedial actions indicated that should be minimised.
spotting was the most frequent form of the
defect when the selvage was left largely or The incidence and severity of blood spotting
3
can be reduced - but not eliminated - the carcase surface when the pelt is
by following slash cut sticking pulled and blood spotting will occur.
(whether this is done as ritual Halal or Whilst the mechanical pelt puller can
conventional slaughter) as rapidly as do most of the physically hard work
possible with a full thoracic stick. The associated with actual pelt removal,
thoracic stick should be deep and the adequate pre-pelt-pulling work-up is a
vena cava should be severed close to prerequisite.
the heart. However, this could require
extra labour and therefore the other Transporting, animal handling,
measures should be adopted first. humidity and temperature also appear
to affect blood spotting. It has been
The severity of blood spotting is suggested that blood diverted to the
directly related to the quality and skin (as in hot weather) leads to
extent of pre-pelting work-up. greater engorgement of the vascular
system over the loin and chump areas
Accurate clearing and punching of the during inverted dressing. When blood
lateral surfaces of the chump and leg vessels are engorged, they can burst
can reduce the problem. In particular, and cause blood spotting or streaking.
good clearing and positive separation In most situations, procedures can be
of the pelt from the selvage lessens developed and implemented to reduce
blood spotting. A good standard of blood spotting and streaking.
pre-pelting work-up also improves
carcase presentation. As a repair mechanism only, a large
proportion of surface blood spotting
Age of lambs and sheep is another can be removed with suitable
factor influencing the incidence of mechanical carcase washing regimes.
blood spotting and streaking. The Wash jets should be angled about 45°
strength of adhesion of the pelt to the below the horizontal. However, this
outer fell appears to rise markedly will directly increase both the quantity
with animal age, thereby requiring of water used and effluent produced
additional force to remove the pelt, by the plant.
and this appears to be closely related
to the occurrence of blood spotting in
older sheep.
Manning of the chain must be
consistent with achieving good
dressing. If the work-up is incomplete,
excessive pressure will be applied to
Contact us for additional information
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