fluid pocket under hide while skinning

[readonly]

Yesterday I was skinning a doe shot 1/2 that had been hanging in my cooler for 3 weeks. As I was pulling the hide down from over the brisket/neck area, a gush of fluid dropped to the concrete flook. Some of it got on ny hands and the shoulders of the doe, hide etc. It did not smell. It was clear with a yellow hue, and I think look a bit milky in spots but I wiped it up immediately and did not skin the neck out. I did not see a wound channel or any sign of injury. Any idea what this was? Beginning of infection, something else? She had been pregnant but fully gutt before hung in the cooler.

 

[mike243]

Probably nothing to worry about but not many folks go 3 weeks hanging, I let 1 go for a week when it was cold and that was the worst skinning job I ever done.

 

[readonly]

the cooler holds 33-34 degrees, so I can hand for 30 days with no problems. I don't hang it for meat quality, rather convenience, when I'll have time to work em up. It is easier to skin first, but anything over a week or so and the skinned quarters begin to dry out.
But this fluid pocket, I have skinned 200 or more deer and never had this happen. Just curious what it might be.

 

[megalomaniac]

Seroma. There was an underlying wound that caused localized tissue edema/ swelling.

As long as the fluid wasnt cloudy/ pus, the meat under is just fine.