How do I find out if my animal had Tuberculosis?

Information related to tests carried out post-mortem to discover if an animal had Tuberculosis (TB).

Animals are examined post-mortem in the abattoir for visible evidence of tuberculosis. You can find out if TB-type lesions were found to be present in the animal by contacting the Veterinary Officer dealing with your breakdown.

At the post-mortem examination we will take samples and send them to the Veterinary Sciences Division, Belfast. Staff at the laboratory will try to grow the bacteria to see if it is Mycobacterium bovis. The bacteria only grow very slowly and it is likely to be at least eight weeks before we have any results. It could take even longer. Information is available from the Veterinary Officer dealing with your breakdown.