rabbit infection?

[rheece hodgetts]

I have been out shooting with a friend tonight doing some pest control on the local golf course. When I was skinning one rabbit I noticed a large liquid filled blister on the rib cage in the stomach cavity and a smaller one on the shoulder.
When I cut open the blister a clear liqid ran out and inside were small white blobs for want of a better word. My friend has never encountered this before so we discarded the meat to be on the safe side. Any insight to what this may be would be greatly appreciated.

 

[andyn]

Cyst perhaps?

 

[Oakleaf]

My betting would be a cyst - quite possibly worm.

Proper cooking of the meat would deal with anything of that nature, but unless you were desperate for the meat why take the chance.

If in doubt, dispose of safely and double scrutinise cleaning blade and hands etc.

A good argument for wearing gloves and carrying suitable hand clensing agent - but I am about as guilty as anyone else on practising whats preached!

 

[Outdoorsman]

the only common wild rabbit disease I've ever heard of is mxymatosis, but only yong rabbits can catch it and only in spring/winter time, I dont think it would cause a blister either. As the other replies stated it was most likely a cyst.

 

[Zodiak]

I have been out shooting with a friend tonight doing some pest control on the local golf course. When I was skinning one rabbit I noticed a large liquid filled blister on the rib cage in the stomach cavity and a smaller one on the shoulder.

To be honest if not sure I would have burnt it to avoid spreading disease to other wildlife. But then any excuse for fire

 

[davef]

yep its a tape worm cyst.

have a look here for lots of gorey info!
http://www.bushcraftuk.com/community/showthread.php?t=13650&highlight=cyst

Dave