Vets and biologist lung cyst and adhesions?

[Elkmagnet]

I would like some opinions on this. I took my oldest out to help me fill an extra cow tag. We found an elk that was slow enough for me to catch. She was alone and from a distance looked to have a slight limp.
After the shot I first noticed she looked under weight and was old. No problem she's a good one to take out of the herd I thought. So I got to work.
Once skinned her backstraps were sunken in, her hip bones were poking out and she had 0 fat. I started to break her down. When I got to the ribs I started to see what was likely the real problem.
Her lungs had a lot of cysts that would flow cream dough nut filling when accidentally cut and both lungs had adhered to the rib cage (yellow arrows).
I had a bit of buyers remorse at this point and just finish up while snapping a few pictures.
My Google style research leads me to think tapeworm cysts or something more serious like bovine tuberculosis which would put me and my 9yo at risk during our redneck necropsy.
My questions are-
To those with an actual education in this area what does it look like to you?
Is it edible? I typically cook elk to 128 or 130 is that safe?
The informally educated are also welcome to jump in.

 

[Hunting Wife]

Where was this- what state?

Can definitely see fibrous changes, which means she’s been sick for a while. Those are not hydatid (tapeworm) cysts. Hydatid cysts are round, firm, full of clear fluid and tiny little round parasite bodies. The fluid inside is typically under pressure and will squirt out when you cut them- watch your face. These look more irregularly shaped, and have some associated fibrous changes and lung consolidation. Hard to tell from the photos but looks pretty standard for many of the pneumonias I’ve seen in necropsies. Flowing pus also wouldn’t be typical from what I know about TB. TB nodules would be “drier” inside I believe (more like a hard-boiled egg yolk), although lots of other bacteria can cause those types of nodules too.

Many bacteria can cause similar-looking pneumonias. Unless you are hunting in a TB endemic area, I wouldn’t get too worried about that. It’s not a very widespread wildlife disease.

However, given the poor body condition of your elk, she’s probably got some systemic issues outside just the lungs. If you are going to eat it, it would probably be best to cook it well. Generally health recommendations call for an internal temp of 165 degrees to kill most organisms. You could also call the local biologist or state wildlife vet and get their take.

 

[thomas89]

Have zero to add to the actually educated answer.

Thought I’d chime in and say I would only think less of you IF you ate that and fed it to the family vs tossing. Sometimes ya gotta chalk them up in the loss column.

In my mind, the words “edible portions” involved with a lot of wanton waste laws kind of absolve you of any wrong doing should you choose to toss that poor thing.

 

[2rocky]

Could be lungworm or secondary bacterial infection in the lungs.

Lungworm in Sheep and Goats - WormBoss

There are three species of lungworm that occur in sheep or goats in Australia. They are the large lungworm, Dictyocaulus filaria, and the small lungworms, Muellerius capillaris and Protostrongylus rufescens. […]

wormboss.com.au

Either way I wouldn’t eat the meat. Sorry that happened.

 

[fowladdict]

Where was this- what state?

I'm sure he will chime in soon...Idaho.

 

[Elkmagnet]

Where was this- what state?

This is a elk herd in southern Idaho and northern Nevada.
Thank you for replying.

 

[Elkmagnet]

Noted

 

[44hunter45]

Call your local CO. You may be eligible for a replacement tag.

I did this once for a funky looking mule deer in unit 18. The CO brought a Bio with her to the house to inspect the hanging carcass. They diagnosed the condition by name and said it was not dangerous to humans. Then they offered me a replacement tag. I declined it.

They were glad I had called it in. It was a condition known in Oregon, but not known to have crossed the Snake into Idaho.

 

[Hunting Wife]

This is a elk herd in southern Idaho and northern Nevada.
Thank you for replying.

At least TB should be a non-issue then.

I did once call the warden on a buck I killed in similar condition and he disposed of it and offered me a replacement tag. Worth a shot if season is still open.

 

[Elkmagnet]

At least TB should be a non-issue then.

I did once call the warden on a buck I killed in similar condition and he disposed of it and offered me a replacement tag. Worth a shot if season is still open.

Thank you for you thoughts!

 

[Elkmagnet]

I took the meat in and spoke with Idaho fish and game he initially agreed that the pictures didn't look like tapeworm cysts but upon consulting in the back he came out and said they decided it was hydatid disease although no parasites have been found they said the meat was safe to eat so they couldn't do anything for me. I was told to grind it and cook it well done.
Thoughts?

I haven't decided what to do with it but when I do I'll keep that decision in house.

 

[Hunting Wife]

I took the meat in and spoke with Idaho fish and game he initially agreed that the pictures didn't look like tapeworm cysts but upon consulting in the back he came out and said they decided it was hydatid disease although no parasites have been found they said the meat was safe to eat so they couldn't do anything for me. I was told to grind it and cook it well done.
Thoughts?

I haven't decided what to do with it but when I do I'll keep that decision in house.

In the interest of helping you make an informed decision, hydatid cysts look more like this on section.

Defined fibrous wall, clear to straw colored, thin fluid inside with all those little sandy particles floating around inside. If contents are thick like pus, it’s typically bacterial in my experience.

Use that info how you will.

 

[sapperJ24]

Based on the pictures and your description, my source (a vet) agrees with the bacterial infection diagnosis. Of course, she would prefer to see it in person to feel confident and comfortable making that statement. She also would not eat it, but she's naturally risk averse.

Consider it a strong second and endorsement of Hunting Wife's comments.

 

[Elkmagnet]

Again I appreciate the opinions and believe its the best info I have. No offense to Google

 

[shoots-straight]

Looks like the Hydatid I've been told hangs in our Moose and elk these days. I killed a moose with it in his lungs and eat him. Was told not to worry as this passes to K-9's not humans and has been around for generations.

https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Hydatid-cysts-in-the-lungs-of-a-moose-left-and-kangaroo-right-photo-courtesy-of-Russ_fig4_24425565

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/environment/plants-animals-and-ecosystems/wildlife-wildlife-habitat/wildlife-health/wildlife-health-documents/diseases_you_can_catch_from_wildlife.pdf