Removing External Layers

To begin the internal examination, the blubber, skin and muscle of the seal must be removed. In some otariids such as the Antarctic fur seal (Arctocephalus gazella) blubber thickness will be reduced, while pelage may be sparse on others such as odobenids. Placing the animal ventral side up, slide a scalpel from under the chin continuing down the midline to the anus, making sure the cut incises down to the muscle-blubber interface. To avoid the penile opening in males, course slightly left. From the midline incision, make perpendicular cuts 15 centimeters apart down the entire length of the animal. Using a hooker, hook on to the panels of flesh and pull distally. A scalpel can then be use this tension to reflect the flensed blubber away from the body.

During the blubber removal, special care should be made not to penetrate or pucture the skeletal muscle or the body cavity that lies underneath. Note any inconsistencies between the preliminary blubber thickness measurements and what is seen during the blubber reflection process. Also record texture and color of the blubber layer. If there are parasites, lesions, bruising or anything other than creamy white to light pink and firm blubber, it too should be noted. The panels of blubber should then be removed and skeletal muscle then examined. Any abnormalities of the muscle mass or fascia should be recorded as excess muscle is trimmed away from the rib cage.