Fatuma Kidane Hersi
Carcass and organ condemnations cause big economic losses in the cattle industry. A cross sectional study was conducted from October 2015 to May 2016 with the aim of identifying gross pathological changes that cause organ condemnation and to estimate the direct financial losses attributed to the condemned organs in cattle slaughtered at Hawassa municipal abattoir. Prior to slaughter, animals were subjected to routine ante-mortem examination. Post-mortem examination was used to identify the gross pathological changes. From the total of 384 slaughtered cattle examined postmortem, 171 (44.5%) liver, 137 (35.7%) lung, 36 (9.4%) spleen, 26 (6.8%) heart, 25 (6.5%) kidney and 9 (2.3%) tongue were totally condemned. Major causes of total condemnation of organs were fasciolosis, hydatidosis, pneumonia, emphysema, cirrhosis, calcification, nephritis, splenitis, edema, Cysticercus bovis, hemorrhage and abscess. There was statistically significant difference (p0.05) between animals’ body condition score in condemnation of kidney, tongue, spleen, liver and lung. There was statistically significant difference (p<0.05) between age in condemnation of lung and liver. The total financial loss calculated in this study, due to organ condemnation was 15,843.89 USD (342,228.00ETB) per annum. Therefore, the observation of such level of abnormalities and substantial financial loss with condemnation of affected organs warrants the veterinary institution of appropriate control measures.
Share this article