Other Names
Blood Blister
Species
All. Cattle are the main species of interest.
Description
These are subcutaneous swellings filled with blood, and usually located around bony prominences that may be more prone to inadvertent trauma. Hazardous pathways and rough handling are predisposing factors. The bony prominences of the pelvis are most affected. Cases can be expected to occur during the live export process because of the high number of handling and transport events occurring over an extended period.
Clinical Signs and Diagnosis
Soft, painless, fluctuating, fluid-filled swellings developing rapidly over bony prominences are probably haematomas.
Haematomas must be differentiated from abscesses and tumors which enlarge slowly, and hernias.
Treatment
Most haematomas are best left alone as usually they will heal spontaneously. Large haematomas may leave residual, sometimes unsightly skin folds. The temptation to insert a needle to determine contents or to lance and drain an intact haematoma should be resisted as the result is often an abscess or unsightly infected mess. Some will become abscesses and will need draining and flushing.
Prevention
Avoid rough handling and identify and remove projections into pathways.
Syndromes