8-Title: Post-mortem changes in goats died due to leopard attack

8-Title: Post-mortem changes in goats died due to leopard attack

Authors: Ganesh K Sawale, Prerna Ghorpade, NR Karambele, BS Katkade, PV Meshram, SA Gaikwad and HY Palampalle

Source: Ruminant Science (2023)-12(1):47-50.

How to cite this manuscript: Sawale Ganesh K, Ghorpade Prerna, Karambele NR, Katkade BS, Meshram PV, Gaikwad SA and Palampalle HY (2023). Post-mortem changes in goats died due to leopard attack. Ruminant Science 12(1):47-50.

Abstract

Total of seven female and one male Osmanabadi goat of 6-7 months of age was found dead due to an attack by the leopard. Necropsy examination of the carcass revealed two to four paired puncture injuries at the neck. The nature of the injuries showed sharp, pointed and deep lesions caused by upper and lower canine teeth. Three of the goat had deep multiple penetrating injuries (2 to 4 holes) at the larynx or upper part of the trachea. Lacerated injury at the neck and face region of the goat was also a common finding. The soft tissue under the skin at the neck region was badly torn and haemorrhagic. Rupture of the jugular vein was seen in three goats. The trachea showed severe congestion at neck region due to external pressure and contained frothy exudates throughout the lumen. All the lobes of the lung collapsed except the lower half of the diaphragmatic lobe which showed severe emphysema. The chambers of the heart were empty in nearly all goats. In one goat, half of the skin of the lower abdomen as well as both the muscle of the hind leg (medial side) were severely damaged and there were also scratch marks on hind leg bones. The frothy exudate in the tracheal lumen and collapse of the lung indicated death due to asphyxia as a result of compression of the trachea by the leopard jaw at the neck region simulating the manner of death due to strangulation in human beings.

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