Accidental electrocution in two cattle confined in stanchions

On a farm with 6 Korean beef cattle, an adult cow and a calf suddenly died while eating. At that time, hair was pressed upon the stanchion facilities where the adult cow was fed. Two dead cattle were submitted to the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency for disease diagnosis. Grossly, the mouth of the adult cow was full of feed that had been eaten before death, and there was a foamy fluid in the calf’s trachea. Both hemorrhages were observed in the muscles, as well as in the internal organs such as the liver, lungs, and heart. Ruminal mucosa was easily peeled off. Histopathologically, both muscles and internal organs showed severe hemorrhages. In particular, affected muscles were shown segmental and band-like patterns of myonecrosis, disappeared some myocytes, burned hair follicles, and irregular surface of skin. Severe hemorrhages of muscles and internal organs were consistent with previous reports. Easily separated mucosa of rumen and muscle lesions were very characteristic. We determined electrocution according to the pathological findings, laboratory results, and traces of accidents. This report will help to understand of pathological lesions of electrocution. Furthermore, this case suggests that the electrical wires and devices must be installed and handled carefully during the construction of the cowsheds care.