Rabbit with dark spots under skin
 

I was processing a cotton tail rabbit the other day and I noticed something very strange looking.

First I noticed the fur was in a knot or hard in a few places.

After I skinned it there were dark spots on the muscle were the fur was in knots/hard. There was on the middle of the back and on the back legs.

I have processed about 40 rabbits or so and I have never seen this before.

This is in Michigan and we have had snow now for a few weeks. I shot it with my 17HMR in the head so it was not bullet/fargment damage.

I played it safe and just threw it out. Has another else seen this before or knw what it is?

Thanks!